/. / 



BINOHAMTON 



ITS SETTLEMENT, GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT 



AND THE FACTORS IN ITS HISTORY 



800- 1900 



WILLIAM S. LAWYER 



EDITOR 



CENTURY MEMORIAL PUBLISHING CO. 
1900 






^oy^ 



THE S USQ UEHA NNA . 

BY LEON MEAD. 

O, beautiful stream, hinu calm is thy flowing. 
Through grass-waving valley and dense, silent wood; 
On thy /lan/cs %vhat gay summer blossoms are growing- 
Those banks where so often, enchanted, I've stood. 

Fair Sus(juehan?ta.' 

Rare Susquehanna! 
Pride of the country where courses thy flood. 

O, famous old river, how graceful thy witiding. 
Like a serpent of silver oil molten and bright; 
Reflecting the sun in thy bosom and blinding 
The eye that dares gaze at so potent a light. 

Fair Susqtic/ianna! 

Rare Sttsguehanfta! 
Thou art as lovely and queenly as 7iighf. 

O, Jubilant stream! how fleet is thy motion. 
So happy and free in thy race to the South; 
Smiling the more as thou nearest the ocean. 
And having a look of delight at thy mouth. 

Fair Susquehanna! 

Rare Susquehattna! 
Ne'er captured or held in gaunt thraldom of drought. 

O, radiant river, with soft moonlight varnished, 
'I'liy murmuring music I hear in the dell; 
May never thy fresh, lambent ripples be tarnished, 
But dance on unsullied thro' the falloiu and fell. 

J' air Susque/ianna! 

Rare Susquehanna! 
Eifipre^,; oj iVaters, by thee thay 2 dwell. 



PREFACE 



The formation of state and town organizations of Sons of the Ameri- 
can Revolution, Colonial Dames, local historical associations in almost 
every hamlet throughout the Union, and the late efforts made by Har- 
vard University faculty to collect and preserve biographical data per- 
taining to their professors and instructors, all tend to show the uni- 
versal interest taken in such matters by leaders of public opinion. I 
make no apology, therefore, for the part I have taken in the publica- 
tion of this work. It was needed, and that it is the most complete 
record of Binghamton and Broome county yet published, I have every 
confidence. Neither is there egotism in this belief, for the work has 
been such a stupendous undertaking that the assistance of many able 
contributors has been secured, who have searched all available written 
records, both in the capitol at Albany, and those in public and private 
libraries here and elsewhere, and who have also faithfully sought out 
facts from the older citizens. My work has been largely that of 
revising and condensing the mass of material thus brought together; 
a heavy task, and yet a light one. Those who are ever pleased (and 
who is not?) to know the past history of their homes; that this 
street or highway was once a noted Indian trail, that an old legend 
tells of wonderful happenings among the natives on play-grounds 
they loved as children, that a noted chief of the red men once held 
high carnival on the same spot where he first saw the light of day; 



IV I'REFACE. 

readers who take delight in such facts will understand what a pleasure 
it has been to superintend the work, and yet can readily see how 
difficult to free it from all errors, — for errors undoubtedly exist. 

Those who would have given us dates — those who came on life's 
stage at the dawn of the century — have gone to their reward. Would 
that we could turn the dial back and stand face to face with the 
rugged, common sense men, who constituted the first settlers of this 
vicinity, and hear from their lips the story of distinguishing events, 
which would stand out like bold landmarks indicating the line of march 
through many trials to final success. 

The Pioneers are asleep! 

Their influence only survives them. By their pluck in overcoming 
obstacles; by their untiring industry; by their economy and thrift, 
they laid foundations deep and wide for their children to build upon. 
The men whose memory we desire to perpetuate were free from the 
ambition and love of gain which seem to be the mainsprings of this 
generation. With them the ownership of a home was the height of 
their hope and aim. 

When the preparation of this volume was begun, at the first step it 
was found that the general public (without whose co-operation the 
undertaking would have been futile) looked askance at the enterprise. 
Many prejudices had to be overcome because of the shortcomings of 
pievious publications ■ purporting to be historic. Other matters of 
which it is needless to speak stood in the way. But " a good tale will 
bear telling twice," especially when improved in the manner of the 
telling. The gathering of this tale has been attempted many times, 
with varying success in the manner of production. The reason for 
failure in some past works was carelessness. Not so in this work, 
for it represents eighteen months of tireless application to the task. 



PREFACE. ' V 

The writers of this latest " Binghamton " have labored under disad- 
vantages, which have been overcome by painstaking effort and research 
that do not become apparent to the reader in the perusal of the 
volume. Much of the matter has been obtained under circumstances 
of difficulty, owing to the fact that nearly all the traditions are fast 
disappearing. " The rude forefathers of the hamlet " have long been 
in their silent, narrow beds. Their children's children remember 
nothing of the trials and hardships of their ancestors, nor of the 
events of the early days of the land which gave them birth. 

To those who have helped in the preparation of this work, I wish to 
give due credit. It being impossible to mention all who have given 
facts never before recorded, facts which were the more valued for that 
reason, or to personally thank those who have aided the several con- 
tributors, I will content myself with naming a few who have specially 
assisted in lightening this labor of love: Lewis C. Aldrich, John P. E 
Clark, Edward K. Clark, George B. Curtiss, Israel T. Deyo, John J. Doo- 
little, Dr. George F. Hand, Walter M. Hand, Major Charles H Hitch- 
cock, Dr. David Post Jackson, Julius P. Morgan, Dr. John Gay Orton, 
Clinton F. Paige, Dr. Frederick W. Putnam, Dan S. Richards, and 
Peter D. Van Vradenburg. 

Bespeaking a kindly and charitable reception to this volume over 
which I have devoted so much thought and care, I leave it as my con- 
tribution to the Historical Literature of this community. 

W. S. Lawyer. 

BiNGHAMTON, MaY 1, 1900, 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 



Our Country — Early European Discoveries and Explorations— Champlain In- 
vades Iroquois Territory — The First Battle— The French in Canada, the 
Puritans in New England and the Dutch in New York— Rival Powers— Over- 
throw of the Dutch — French and English Rivalries — The Iroquois Confed- 
eracy — Its Origin, Its League and Its Conquests — The Tuscaroras United 
with the Five Nations — Occupy the Valley of the Susquehanna 1 

CHAPTER n. 

French Influence Among the Indians — English Jealousy Aroused — Missionary 
Laborers in the Province — Beginning of the French and English Wars — The 
Final Struggle for Supremacy — Overthrow of the French Power in America 
— The Mohawks and Tuscaroras Fight under Col. William Johnson — Return 
to the Former Habitations 8 

CHAPTER HI. 

Before the Revolution — Johnson's Influence Among the Indians — Causes Lead- 
ing to the War — The Johnsons Depart for Canada— The Continental Con- 
gress— Outbreak of the War— British Make Allies of the Iroquois— Employ 
Them to Attack American Settlements— Brief Allusion to Events of the 
Period — The Susquehanna Valley Becomes a Frequent Route of Travel — 
Sullivan's Campaign— Gen. Clinton Invades the Valley— Indian Villages 
Destroyed — Ochenang on the Site of the City, and Otsiningo, on the Che- 
nango, Destroyed - -- H 

CHAPTER IV. 

Reminiscences of the Revolution, with a Roll of Honor Showing the Names of 
Patriots of that War Who Afterward Settled in Broome County- The Memo- 
rial to Congress Praying that Pensions be Granted to Soldiers of Militia and 
State Troops 22 



viii CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER V. 

The Land Titles — Charters by the Crown — Conflicting Claims of Massachusetts 
and New York — The Hartford Convention — The Boston Purchase — Bing- 
ham's Patent — Brief Sketch of William Bingham, in whose Honor Bingham- 
1 on was Named — The Castle Reservation — --- 32 



CHAPTER VI. 

Earliest Settlers in the Vicinity of Binghamton — Rise and Downfall of Chenango 
Village .- - -- - 



CHAPTER VII. 
COUNTY ORGANIZATION AND CIVIL HISTORY— CIVIL LIST. 45 

CHAPTER VIII. 

REMINISCENCES OF EARLY LIFE AND SETTLEMENT IN BINGHAM- 
TON CA 

CHAPTER IX. 
SETTLEMENT CONTINUED— EARLY BUSINESS MEN. _ .. 112 

CHAPTER X. 
VILLAGE ORGANIZATION AND MUNICIPAL HISTORY 126 

CHAPTER XI. 

CITY BUILDINGS AND DEPARTMENTSOFMUNICIPALGOVERNMENT iri5 

CHAPTER XII. 

THE BINGHAMTON FIRE DEPARTMENT... . ..178 

CHAPTER XIII. 
EDUCATIONAL... 214 



CONTENTS. ix 

CHAPTER XIV. 
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS one 

CHAPTER XV. 

PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS _ 291 

CHAPTER XVI. 
BANKING INSTITUTIONS . . 300 

CHAPTER XVII. 
THEBENCH AND BAR . .. 314 

CHAPTER XVIII. 
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION .38.5 

CHAPTER XIX. 
THE BINGHAMTON PRESS 446 

.CHAPTER XX. 
INDUSTRIAL BINGHAMTON -^ 4.^8 

CHAPTER XXI. 
SOCIETIES— SECRET, SOCIAL AND BENEVOLENT,, .-. 497 

CHAPTER XXII. 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. --- 518 

CHAPTER XXIII. 
CEMETERIES 553 



X CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XXIV. 
THE WAR OF 1861-65 ^^^ 

CHAPTER XXV. 

THE SPANIvSH-AMERIC.-\N WAR— THE HISTORY OF COMPANY H. 

FIRST N. Y. VOL. INF.. 1898 -- 598 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

THE TOWN OF UNION. AND ITS INCORPORATED VILLAGES, UNION 

AND LESTERSHIRE 613 

CHAT^TER XXVII. 
THE TOWN OF CHENAN(iO --- 668 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 
THETOWNOF LISLE. 676 

CHAPTER XXIX. 
TH E T( ) WN OF P,INGH AMTON. 690 

CHAPTER XXX. 
THE TOWN OF NANTICOKE. ... 693 

CHAPTER XXXI. 
THE TOWN OFCOLESVILLE 698 

CHAPTER XXXII. 
THE TOWN OF MAINE 710 

CHAPTER XXXIII. 
THE TOWN OF VESTAL 717 



CONTENTS. xi 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 
THE TOWN OF WINDSOR 73.5 

CHAPTER XXXV. 
THE TOWN OF TRIANGLE 743 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 
THE TOWN OF BARKER. 768 

CHAPTER XXXVII. 
THE TOWN OF FENTON __ .761 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
THE TOWN OF SAN FORD 777 

CHAPTER XXXIX. 
THE TOWN OFCONKLIN.- 796 

CHAPTER XL. 
THE TOWN OF KIRKWOOD 804 

CHAPTER XLI. 
THE TOWN OF DICKINSON - 813 

CHAPTER XLII. 
ECCLESIASTICAL 816 



PART 11. 

FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY 823 

FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY 946 

INDEX . ,-. - -- ---1021 



PORTRAITS. 

Arms. Taylor L -..facing 330 

Balcom, Ransom ....facing 323 

Bartlett, Isaac L... facing 106 

Bartlett. James H facing 828 

Bennett, Abel facing 305 

Bingham, William facing 37 

Brigham, Elijah W.._ . facing 666 

Chapman, Orlow W ...facing 346 

Crary, Horace H. facing 836 

Curtiss, George B. ..facing 368 

Day, Frank A facinglOlO 

Dickinson, Daniel S facing 336 

Doubleday, Dr. Arami facing 405 

Downs, Francis W. . - . facing 367 

Dunham, Thomas L ...facing 952 

Dunn, George W facing 882 

Faatz, William G facing 948 

Ford, Rodney A facing 832 

Green, George E facing 892 

Grummond, Fred W. ■ facing 938 

Hall, Samuel H. P facing 109 

Hand, Stephen I). , M. D facing 414 

Hill, William H ..facing 956 

Hitchcock, Charles H 608 

Hodge, Hial, Dr., .. ...facing 939 

Hotchkiss, Giles W facing 342 

Jenison, Lewis facingl018 

Johnson, C. Fred.. facing 968 

Johnson, George F facing 886 

Jones, Edward F facing 841 

Lentz, William F facing 854 

Lincoln, George D. facing 964 

Magoris, A. Eugene, M. D. facing 434 

Martin, Celora E facing 324 

Millard, Stephen C facing 362 

Moon, George Q facing 908 

O'Connor, Edmund .. .. facing 348 

Orton, Dr. John Gay facing 419 

O.sborn, William R facing 934 

Perry, Isaac G .facing 916 

Richards. Dan S facing 356 

Schulte. John ..facingl0l6 

Scott, Marcus W facing 848 

Seymour, Lewis.. facing 345 

Squires, Merritt S facing 665 

Swift, John H. ...facingl014 

Talbott, Page W facing 904 

Wells, John Stuart ._ facing 844 

White, Le Roy S '...".."!.!!..'.. .facing 960 

Wilson, Dr. William H facing 970 



CONTENTS. 



IVIAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Bevier Street School 244 

Binghamton — 1840 137 

Binghamton— A View of Court street from the Chenango bridge to the Court 

House, drawn June 4, 18 10, by George Park, esq. 129 

Binghamton in 1856— View east of the Court House ... 115 

Binghamton in 1856 — View showing corner of Court and Chenango streets and 

buildings northwest 116 

Binghamton in 1856 — Brigham Hall in the foreground 118 

Binghamton in 1856 — Showing buildmgs on the north side of Court street be- 
tween State street and the Weed building... 119 

Binghamton in 1856 — Showing Congdon's marble shop, Way's hotel and other 

buildings 120 

Binghamton Academy 227 

Binghamton City Hospital .• facing 160 

Cafferty House, the. . 491 

Central Fire Station— 1899 206 

Central High School 250 

Chenango street in 1856 302 

Court House, Second' County 48 

Court House, Third County 51 

Court House, 1897-98 53 

Court House Square. 1889 52 

Exchange Hotel, the 493 

Faatz Brush and Felting Works .- 665 

Fairview School - 246 

Firemen's Hall— 1857-95 - 157 

Granite Block, the original... 489 

Jarvis Street School - 248 

Laurel Avenue School 243 

Lestershire Fire Station, Municipal Building and Club House 654 

Lewis House, the — - - 494 

Map of Bingham's Patent 37 

Map of Village of Binghamton in 1808 127 

Map of Binghamton in 1825 131 

Map of Binghamton in 1838 134 

Map of Chenango Point in 1797 126 

Municipal Building - --- 159 

Oak Street School - 234 

Peterson's Inn - 492 

Rossville School - *47 

St. John's Avenue School 249 



BINGHAMTON, 

Its Settlement, Growth and Development. 



CHAPTER I. 



Our Country — Early European Discoveries and Explorations — Champlain Invades 
Iroquois Territory — The First Battle — The French in Canada, the Puritans in New 
England and the Dutch in New York — Rival Powers — Overthrow of the Dutch — 
French and English Rivalries — The Iroquois Confederacy — Its Origin, Its League 
and Its Conquests — The Tuscaroras United with the Five Nations — Occupy the Val- 
ley of the Susquehanna. 

In 1492, Christopher Columbus, a Genoese, sailing under the flag- of 
Spain, landed on the shores of the American continent. This event 
has always been mentioned in history as the discovery of America, yet 
the first Europeans to visit the western hemisphere were Scandina- 
vians, who colonized Iceland in A. D. 875, Greenland in 983, and about 
the year 1000 had cruised southward as far as the Massachusetts coast. 
Following close upon the discoveries of Columbus and other early ex- 
plorers, various foreign powers fitted out fleets and commissioned navi- 
gators to establish colonies in the vast and then unknown country. 
These events, however, will be briefly treated and only those will be 
mentioned which had at least an indirect bearing upon our subject. 

In 1508 Auburt discovered the St. Lawrence river; and in 1524 Fran- 
cis I, king of France, sent Jean Verrazzani on a voyage of exploration 
to the new world. He entered a harbor supposed to have been that of 
New York, and it is believed that his crew were the first Europeans to 
land on the soil of what is now this state. This Gallic explorer sailed 
along the Atlantic coast about 2100 miles, cruising as far north as Lab- 
rador, and giving to the whole region the name of " New France" — a 
name by which the French possessions in America were afterward 
known during the dominion of that power, In 1534 the same king sent 
1 



2 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Jacques Cartier to the country. He made two voyages and ascended 
the St. Lawrence as far as Montreal. The next year he again visited 
the region with a fleet which brought a number of the French nobility. 
This party determined upon the colonization of the country, but after 
passing a severe winter on the Isle of Orleans, and suffering much from 
the rigors of the climate, they abandoned the scheme and returned to 
France. 

Here we may properly remark that as a beginning of the long list of 
needless and shameful betrayals and treacheries to which the often too 
confiding natives were subjected by early European explorers, Cartier 
inveigled into his vessel the Indian chief Donnegana and bore him and 
several others into hopeless captivity and final death. 

The real discoverer and founder of a permanent colony in New 
France was Samuel de Champlain, who in 1608 planted a settlement at 
Quebec. This intrepid explorer joined with the Canadian Indians and 
invaded the country southward, where he discovered the lake which 
now bears his name, and where he met in hostile conflict the Mohawks 
of the Iroquois confederacy. In the battle which followed the Mohawks 
lost two of their chiefs, both of whom fell at the hands of Champlain 
himself. Thus was signalized the first hostile meeting between the white 
man and the Indian, Low as the latter may have been m the scale of 
intelligence and humanity, and terrible as were many of the subsequent 
deeds of the Iroquois, it cannot be denied that their early treatment by 
the whites could foster in the savage heart any other than feelings of 
bitterest hatred. "I had put four balls into my arquebus," said the 
wily Frenchman, and the "Iroquois were greatly astonished at seeing 
two of their men killed so instantaneously." This event, however, 
was but a single early testimony of how little mercy the Iroquois were 
thenceforth to receive from their northern enemies and the pale-faced 
race which was eventually to drive them from their domain. " It was an 
age, however, in which might was appealed to more frequently than in 
later years, and it is in the light of the prevailing custom of the old 
world in Champlain's time that we must view his ready hostility to the 
Indian." 

A few weeks after the battle between Champlain and the Indians, 
Henry Hudson, a navigator in the service of the Dutch East India com- 
pany, anchored his ship (the Half-moon) at the mouth of the river 
which now bears his name. This event took place September 5, 1609. 
Hudson met the natives and was hospitably received by them, but be- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 3 

fore his departure he furnished them freely with intoxicating hquors, 
from which followed results more disastrous and baneful than those in- 
flicted by Champlain with his murderous weapon. 

Hudson ascended the river to a point less than a hundred miles from 
that reached by Champlain, then returned to Europe, and, through in- 
formation he had gained, soon afterward established a Dutch colony 
(for which a charter was granted in 1614) naming the region "New 
Netherlands." In 1621 the Dutch West India company was formed 
and took possession of the Netherlands, and five years later the terri- 
tory was made a province of Holland. 

Meanwhile, in 1607, the English made their first permanent settle- 
ment at Jamestown, Virginia, and in 1620 planted the historic colony 
at Plymouth Rock. These two colonies became the successful rivals of 
all others in that strife which eventually made them masters of the 
country, but that strong power and dominion was itself overthrown in 
the results of the Revolutionary war, more than a century and a half 
after the New England colony was established. 

Thus it is seen that on the discoveries and colonizations noted in pre- 
ceding paragraphs, three European powers based claims to at least a 
part of the territory of the state of New York : first, England, by rea- 
son of the discoveries of John Cabot, who sailed under commission from 
Henry VII, and in 1497 reached the coast of Labrador, and also those 
of his son Sebastian, who in the next year explored the Atlantic coast 
from Newfoundland to Florida, claiming thereby a territory eleven de- 
grees in width and extending indefinitely westward; second, France, 
from the discoveries of Verrazzani, claimed a portion of the Atlantic 
coast, and also under the title of " New France " an almost boundless 
region westward; third, Holland, based on Hudson's discoveries a 
claim to the entire country from Cape Cod to the southern shore of 
Delaware bay. 

The Dutch became the temporary occupants of the region, but their 
dominion was of brief duration . The miserable and ill-considered pol- 
icy of Governor Kieft provoked the Indians to hostilities, and disorder 
reigned throughout the colony for a period of ten years, and until Peter 
Stuyvesant succeeded to the governorship. His firm and equitable 
policy restored quiet among the natives, but his control of affairs con- 
tinued only from 1647 to 1665, when the Dutch dominion in the Neth- 
erlands was overthrown. 

On March 12, 1664, Charles II, of England, granted by letters pat- 



4 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

ent to his brother James, Duke of York and Albany, all the territory 
from the River St. Croix to the Kennebec in Maine, together with all 
the land from the west bank of Connecticut river to the east shore of 
Delaware bay. The duke at once sent a squadron to secure his gift, 
and on September 8, following, the Dutch surrendered, Gov. Stuyve- 
sant being impelled to such action by the colonists, who preferred peace 
with the same privileges accorded to English settlers rather than a long 
and probably fruitless contest with a stronger power. The English 
changed the name of New Amsterdam to New York. 

Thus ended the Dutch dominion in America, but their colonists did 
not withdraw from the territory after the surrender. Many of them 
were thrifty and became prosperous by trading guns and rum to the 
Indians in exchange for furs, thus establishing friendly relations with 
the natives and supplying them with doubly dangerous weapons. This 
peaceful relation was established mainly under Gov. Stuyvesant's rule, 
and was continued after the English accession, but at the same time 
strife and jealously between the English and French was engendered 
and rapidly increased in intensity through many years. The English 
settlements were of a more permanent character than those of their 
rivals, and moreover, they succeeded in forming an alliance with the 
Iroquois, thus gaining a steady advantage over the French, whose treat- 
ment of the Mohawks through Champlain had not been forgotten. The 
alliance between the English and the Iroquois was maintained for more 
than a century, continumg throughout the Revolution (except one or 
two of the nations who were friendly to the Americans), but the results 
of that struggle did not have the effect to deprive them of their terri- 
tory without compensation. 

After the termination of the Dutch rule in the Netherlands, the ter- 
ritory comprising this state was held by three powers — two foreign and 
one native — the French, the English and the famous Iroquois confed- 
eracy, the latter better known as the " Five Nations " of Indians. The 
main possessions of the French were in the Canadas, but through the 
zeal of the Jesuit missionaries their outposts were extended south and 
west of the St. Lawrence, and some attempts at colonization (with par- 
tial success) had been made. Early French accounts indicate occa- 
sional visits by missionaries to the Indian occupants of the Susquehanna 
valley, but the peculiar situation of the region, lying between the pos- 
sessions of the Iroquois and their old enemies, the Lenni Lenapes, ren- 
dered this an unsafe place of abode even by the red man previous to 
about the middle of the seventeenth century. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 5 

The occupied possessions of the English at the time indicated in the 
preceding paragraph were chiefly in the eastern part of what is now 
this state and also in New England and Virginia. With steady and 
sure advances this people were gradually nearing the French. At this 
time, and for many years afterward, the French and English were con- 
flicting powers, struggling for the mastery on both sides of the Atlan- 
tic; and with each succeeding outbreak of war in the mother countries 
there were renewed hostilities between their American colonies. But 
directly between the French and English possessions lay the territory 
of the Iroquois, The French called them "Iroquois;" the Dutch 
named them " Maquas, " while to the English colonists they were known 
as " Mingoes." Among themselves, however, the men of the confed- 
eracy were known as " He-do-no-sau-nee," which means literally "they 
form a cabin," thus in an expressive manner describing the close union 
existing among them. The Iroquois were also frequently called " The 
People of the Long House ;" but by whatever names they may have been 
known, they were a confederation of savages whose peculiar and last- 
ing organization, prowess on the field of battle, loyalty to friends, bar- 
barous revenge upon enemies, stoical indifference to torture, together 
with eloquence of speech in councils, made them the wonder of all civ- 
ilized nations, and evoked from Volney their denomination as " the 
Romans of the New World." 

The origin of this famous confederacy has always been clouded in 
obscurity, and few indeed of our most noted Indianologists agree as to 
the source whence they came. Iroquois tradition ascribes the founding 
of the league to an Onondaga chieftain named Tadodahoh, but such 
traditions are of very little value in fact. Our best and closest students 
of Indian history assert that the league was formed during the early 
part of the fifteenth century (about the year 1416), and was thereafter 
maintained almost wholly intact imtil the outbreak of the war of the 
Revolution. In 1712 the Tuscaroras, who had been at war with the 
Powhattans and whites in the south, were driven from their territory 
and found refuge with the Five Nations. This, according to well au- 
thenticated history, was only the payment of a debt of gratitude by the 
Iroquois, they having been given substantial aid by the Tuscaroras 
when the Iroquois were waging war against their enemies, the Lenni 
Lenapes. 

When the Tuscaroras were received into the confederacy the Five 
Nations became the Six Nations, and the added people were assigned 



6 BIXGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

to territory south of the Oneidas and Onondagas, and therefore became 
inhabitants of the vSusquehanna valley. In common with all others of 
the Indian race, the Tuscaroras established villages at convenient 
points in their country and soon took tribal names suited to the locality 
in which they lived. In the beautiful valley of the Susquehanna river, 
after the acquisition referred to, there dwelt the Shawnees, the Susque- 
hannas, the Nanticokes and the Neshaminies, the greater part of whom 
were descended from the Tuscaroras, with others from the related tribes 
of the confederacy, and a few from the conquered Delawares of Penn- 
sylvania. The name Tuscarora was preserved in this locality, but dur- 
ing the later years of the confederacy it had lost much of its individual 
strength. 

Reliable chroniclers of Pennsylvania history state that the Susque- 
hannas and the Nanticokes were of Delaware and Lenni Lenape origin 
while so good an authority as the late Judge Charles P. Avery, one of 
Tioga county's most accurate historians, informs us that the Susque- 
hannas and Nanticokes were of original Iroquois origin. 

The war between the Iroquois and the Delawares was one of the most 
memorable conflicts ever waged among the savages of America. The 
feud dated back, according to Indian tradition, more than one hundred 
years previous to the formation of the Iroquois confederacy, but it was 
not until about the middle of the seventeenth century that the conflict 
began in earnest; and it was continued until the Iroquois had conquered 
and subjugated the Delawares, who occupied the regions of Pennsylvania 
and the south; until every opposing tribe and race in America was 
overthrown and made to acknowledge the supremacy and authority of 
the conquerors. Indeed, after the conquest of the Delawares, the Iro- 
quois were the acknowledged owners of the territory occupied by the 
former, and the treaty between the Penn proprietary and the Delawares 
could not be consummated until the consent of the victors had been se- 
cured. 

History informs us that this memorable conflict took place between 
1640 and 1055, and that the subjugation was both complete and perma- 
nent. For many years previous to that time the nations had been at 
enmity and battles of a minor character were frequent. As is well 
known, the main possessions of the Iroquois lay across the state of New 
York (or the territory afterward comprising the state), the Mohawks 
farthest east, then following the Oneidas, the Onondagas, the Cayugas 
and the Senecas, in the order named, the latter (the most fierce and 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 1 

warlike of the nations) occupying and guarding the western extremity 
of the Long House. 

The Delawares, who were descended from the Lenni Lenapes, were 
scattered throughout the territory of the (afterward) state of Pennsyl- 
vania, occupying chiefly the regions bordering on the larger rivers. 
They, like the Iroquois, took names from the localities in which were 
their principal villages, and as their seat of government, on the advent 
of the whites into the region, was on the Delaware river the whole na- 
tion took the general name of Delawares. 

The valley of the Susquehanna river from Tioga Point (Athens, Pa.) 
to Ingaren (a small Tuscarora village on the site of Great Bend) and 
Onoquaga (Ouquaga) constituted the frontier territory for both the Iro- 
quois and the Delawares previous to the conquest referred to, and was 
not regularly or permanently inhabited by the Indians of either nation. 
Indeed, this was disputable and debatable ground, and its occupancy, 
unless by a superior force, would subject the one people to an attack 
from the other. Therefore it was the existing condition of enmity that 
virtually deprived our valley of any interesting Indian history previous 
to the conquest of the Delawares by the Iroquois; and while the region 
was afterward a common hunting and fishing ground for both victors 
and vanquished, there was no permanent Indian occupation of the val- 
ley until it was assigned to the Tuscaroras in 1712. According to Will- 
iam Fiske Warner, whose contributions to Indian history in the Sus- 
quehanna valley are of great value, the seat of government of the Tus- 
caroras was at Tioga Point (variously known in the Indian tongue as 
Teyaogen and Teiohogen, meaning " the gate ") where the Six Nations 
afterward established a guard for the purpose of ascertaining the char- 
acter of all persons who crossed over into their country. Zeisberger, 
the Moravian missionary, passed through the valley in 1750, and found 
a guard at that point, but in 1778 Col. Hartley destroyed the village and 
drove the occupants from the region. This subject, however, will be 
treated more at length in a later chapter. 



BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 



CHAPTER II. 

French Influence Among the Indians — English Jealousy Aroused — Missionary La- 
borers in the Province — Beginning of the French and English Wars — The Final 
Struggle for Supremacy — Overthrow of the French Power in America — The Mo- 
hawks and Tuscaroras Fight Under Col. William Johnson — Return to Their Former 
Habitations. 

Notwithstanding the unquestioned superiority of both the French 
and the English over the Iroquois, neither power at first showed a dis- 
position to conquer and drive them from their land.s. In their zeal to 
actually possess and occupy all the territory claimed under the name 
of New France, the first half century of their dominion in America 
witnessed remarkable inroads upon the territory of the Senecas and 
Cayugas by the French. The task of planting Christianity among the 
savages was assigned to the Jesuits, a name derived from the Society 
of Jesus, founded in 1539 by Ignatius Loyola; and while their primary 
object was to spread the gospel among the Indians, their scarcely less 
important purpose was to extend the dominion of France. The first 
Jesuit missionary is said to have come into the province as early as 
1625, and within the next twelve years the number had grown to more 
than fifteen. They increased rapidly and extended their influence 
throughout the tribes of the confederacy, even to the Mohawks at the 
eastern end of the Long House, but their progress during the second 
half century was accomplished as much by force of arms as by moral 
and Christian influences. 

In the meantime the Moravian missionaries had established them- 
selves a few miles below Wyalusing, in what is now Bradford county, 
Pennsylvania, from which point they engaged in the commendable 
work of attempting to Christianize the Indian occupants of the Susque- 
hanna valley. They labored faithfully, but were at last forced to ad- 
mit that their efforts as a whole were unsatisfactory and discouraging. 
The same is also true of all later attempts to establish Christianity and 
education among the Indians, and while yielding perhaps sufficient re- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 9 

suits to justify their prosecution, all endeavors in this direction constantly 
met with discouraging obstacles. No strong controlling influence for 
good was ever obtained among the savages of this province previous 
to the time of Sir William Johnson, and even then it is a question 
whether they were not more moved by the power of purchase than love 
of right. 

However, the Jesuit fathers did succeed in obtaining a strong foot- 
hold among the natives, which had the effect to so arouse English jeal- 
ousy that in 1700 the provincial authorities of New York passed an act 
which, were it strictly enforced, inflicted the death penalty on every 
Jesuit priest who should thenceforth come voluntarily into the province. 
But this measure had not the full desired effect although by it many of 
the priests abandoned the field, and French influence among all but the 
Senecas gradually declined. 

Of course all these events took place previous to the permanent oc- 
cupation of the Susquehanna valley by the Six Nations, hence we have 
no record of Jesuit missionary labors in this vicinity, although French 
accounts indicate a knowledge of the region through information gained 
from their priestly emissaries. The names of the more conspicuous 
Jesuits are well known in early New York history, but need no repeti- 
tion here. They left the province within ten years after the overthrow 
of French power in America, and were followed by such noble Christian 
workers as Henry Barclay, John Ogilvie, Talbot, Ziesberger, Spencer, 
Timothy Woodbridge, Rev. Gideon Hawley, Eleazer Wheelock, Rev. 
Samuel Kirkland, Bishop Hobart, Eleazer Williams, Dan Barnes 
(Methodist) and others of perhaps less distinction. 

The advent of the European nations was the forerunner of the down- 
fall of the Iroquois confederacy. In the same manner the rivalries and 
jealousies and wars between the English and French led to the ultimate 
overthrow of foreign power in America and the founding of the govern- 
ment of the United States. English and French contentions in Amer- 
ica began soon after the end of the Dutch dominion, and were con- 
tinued for a period of nearly one hundred years, with brief intermissions 
of peace which were devoted to active preparations for renewed hostil- 
ities. 

During the same period the French themselves had frequently be- 
come involved in wars with the Iroquois, and the latter were finally 
driven to seek a friendly alliance with the English. The French in- 
vasion of 1693, and that of three years later, cost the confederacy half 



10 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

its warriors. About the same time (1690) a convention of English col- 
onists determined to subjugate Canada, and for several years war was 
waged with varying results when the treaty of Ryswick (1G97) put an 
end to hostilities, but left unsettled the status of the Iroquois who had 
been friendly to the English. The treaty provided that each nation 
should return to the territory occupied at the beginning of the hostilities, 
which would have brought Montreal within English territory as the 
Iroquois, who were allies of the English, had captured that post and 
were also in possession by conquest of the shores of the St. Lawrence 
river. This situation led to another wrangle between the rival powers 
as the French claimed undisputed authority over the territory by virtue 
of a treaty of peace and purchase accomplished by De la Barre. 

Thus the two powers disagreed for a long series of years over the 
country which but a short time before was the undisputed domain of 
the Iroquois. During the early years of the seventeenth century out- 
breaks between the contending nations were frequent, but not until 
1744 was begun the final struggle for supremacy in America. The 
Iroquois would not take part in this strife until 1746, and were greatly 
disappointed at its sudden termination by the treaty of Aixla-Chapelle 
in 1748, they having compromised themselves with their old enemies, 
the Indian allies of the French in Canada. 

During the eight years of nominal peace which followed the treaty 
referred to, the authorities of New York had made every endeavor to 
effect a permanent alliance with the Iroquois, and through the influ- 
ence of Sir William Johnson several of the tribes were rallied under 
the British standard. In 1756, after two years of open hostilities, the 
powers were again at war. The Mohawks, and a portion of the Tusca- 
roras of the Susquehanna valley, fought under Sir William Johnson, 
but the Senecas were friendly to the French, though unwilling to battle 
against their brethren of the Long House. The other tribes of the 
confederacy maintained a strict neutrality. 

The events of this final struggle for supremacy in America are not 
necessary to our narrative, as none of the conflicts were waged in the 
Susquehanna valley, and our Tuscarora savages who fought under 
Johnson performed their deeds of valor in localities remote from this. 
The French were at first victorious, but after William Pitt entered the 
councils of George II, England renewed the contest with greater spirit 
than before, and from the fall of Fort Duquesne to the final achieve- 
ments of 1760, history shows an almost unbroken series of British vie- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. U 

tories. With the capitulation of Fort Niagara French dominion over 
any portion of the province of New York was ended, and in the treaty 
of peace in February, 1763, between England and France, Canada was 
ceded to the former power. 

Thus ended the French dominion in America. The Mohawks re- 
turned to the ever willing protection and support offered by Sir William, 
while nearly all the Tuscaroras sought their former habitation along 
the Susquehanna, resuming their occupations of hunting and fishing, 
and in a crude way making some attempt at cultivating the soil. They 
had now become accustomed to the manners of the whites, but there 
was little in their later life to indicate that they ever profited by white 
associations. Throughout the succeeding ten or fifteen years they were 
the peaceful occupants of the valley, but with the outbreak of the Rev- 
olution many of them were arrayed on the side of the king, and as 
allies of a falling power were made to suffer the punishment inflicted 
by Clinton's destroying forces during the summer campaign of 1779. 



CHAPTER III. 



Before the Revolution — Johnson's Influence Among the Indians — Causes Leading 
to the War — The Johnsons Depart for Canada— The Continental Congress— Out- 
break of the War — British Make AlUes of the Iroquois— Employ Them to Attack 
American Settlements— Brief Allusion to Events of the Period— The vSusquehanna 
Valley Becomes a Frequent Route of Travel — Sullivan's Campaign— Gen. Clinton 
Invades the Valley — Indian Villages Destroyed — Ochenang on the Site of the City, 
and Otsiningo, on the Chenango, Destroyed. 

At the outbreak of the Revolution there had been a little more than 
three score years of continuous Indian occupancy of the Susquehanna 
valley. During the latter part of the French and English wars, this 
region was the occasional thoroughfare of travel between the eastern 
and western extremities of the Long House of the Iroquois, as the 
tribes which maintained neutrality during that period were inclined to 
keep as far as possible from the actual scenes of strife, hence followed the 
southern trail leading up the Susquehanna to the Chenango, and thence 
crossed over north and east to the country of the Mohawks. 

During the war of the Revolution the condition of Indian affairs was 



12 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

materially chancred, and all the tribes of the Six Nations, except the 
Oneidas and a few of the Onondagas and Tuscaroras, allied themselves 
to the cause of the king. At this time, or during the years immedi- 
ately preceding the war, the influence of Sir William Johnson with the 
Iroquois was paramount, and had the baronet lived it is firmly believed 
he would have espoused the cause of the colonists as against the mother 
country, as his every speech and manner clearly indicated such a pur- 
pose. But upon his death (July 11, 1774) the baronial estate, together 
with much of his former influence over the Iroquois (but never Sir 
William's popularity with the confederacy) descended to his son. Sir 
John Johnson, while the office of superintendent of Indian affairs, which 
the baronet had also held, was given to Colonel Guy Johnson (nephew 
of Sir William), assisted by Col. Daniel Claus. These vmworthy suc- 
cessors proved to be the most contemptible and scheming tories in all 
the country, and through the designing and merciless instigation of Sir 
John and his associates were perpetrated some of the most inhuman 
and dastardly outrages of the Revolution. He set the Indians upon 
our frontier settlements, and it is believed the horrible affairs at Wyo- 
ming and Cherry Valley were the results of his instigation. Early in 
the war the Johnson contingent, followed by the tories, Mohawks and 
others, fled from the province and took up a residence in Canada, 
from whence the attacks upon the American frontier were planned. 
However, before pi-oceeding to this part of our narrative a brief allusion 
to the causes leading to the war for American independence is proper. 
The political situation in the province of New York, and throughout 
all the colonies, at the outbreak of the Revolution was both unique and 
interesting, since it included influences politically antagonistic, while 
socially there was no feeling of animosity among the pioneers. The 
settlements founded by Sir William Johnson in the Mohawk valley were 
entirely under his control during his lifetime, and the militia was sub- 
ject to his command. His death and the accession of his son to author- 
ity caused a marked change in political events, and one which created 
a division of sentiment and in many instances a rupture in friendship. 
Upon Sir John's departure for Canada that unworthy son took with him 
the Mohawk warriors, a large number of tory settlers who were in the 
valley, and as well a considerable body of Scotch Highlanders who were 
previously located north of Johnson Hall. This evacuation removed 
from the province one of its most obnoxious disturbing factors, but one 
which was the source of much trouble in later years. The magnificent 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 13 

Johnson estate, one of the finest in the country, was seized and sold for 
public benefit under the law authorizing the confiscation of tory lands. 
These events, while perhaps having no direct bearing on the subject of 
life in the Susquehanna valley, are nevertheless interesting from the 
fact that the vicinity of Johnson Hall was the source from which ema- 
nated all measures having an influence over the western and southern 
regions of the province at that time, and were, moreover, in a measure 
instrumental in effecting the settlement and development of the more 
remote localities of the state within a very few years after the close of 
the war. 

The foregoing observations naturally lead to an examination of the 
prevailing causes of the war and of the political division above men- 
tioned; and also occasions a review of events of the period. It is first 
proper to state that while the tory element was numerous the patriots 
were strongly in the majority. 

The policy and practice of taxing the colonies by the mother country 
really began almost as far back as the overthrow of the Dutch power, 
for it seems to have been the king's determination to make them self- 
supporting without any burden whatever upon the home government. 
The burden of the debt was of course very heavy upon Great Britain, 
but it had been chiefly created by the wars in which she had engaged 
on her own side of the Atlantic. The portion, however, incurred by 
wars on this side she proposed to be paid by the colonies alone, not- 
withstanding the vast increase of her domain by the acquisition. But 
the time at length arrived when submission to the measures proposed 
could no longer be endured. The colonies themselves were heavily 
burdened with expenses of the late French wars, yet almost before the 
smoke of battle cleared away the ministry began devising means to tax 
them without asking their consent. In 1764 a proposition was sub- 
mitted to the House of Commons for raising revenue in the colonies by 
the sale of stamps, and a bill to that effect was passed in March, 1765. 
It was bitterly denounced in the colonies, especially in New York, and 
the Sons of Liberty were organized to oppose it. So great was the 
popular indignation that parliament finally repealed the act, but in its 
place were enacted other oppressive laws, one of which required the col- 
onies to pay for the support of the British soldiery in New York city; 
and when the province refused to comply with the provisions of the 
act, parliament, in retaliation, annulled its legislative powers. In 1767 
another bill imposed a duty on tea, glass, lead, paper and painter's 



14 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

colors imported into the colonies, which so aroused the indignation of 
the colonists that organizations were created to oppose the measures. 
One of these was the famous " Boston Tea Party," among whom were 
a few determined New Englanders who afterward became settlers in 
the old town of Chenango. Excited by the bold defiance by the Yan- 
kees, the ministry again retaliated by closing the port of Boston — an 
outrage which awoke national indignation and was the occasion of pub- 
lic meetings in all the colonies, resulting in the assembling of the con- 
tinental congress. 

The continental congress was convened at Philadelphia in Septem- 
ber, 1774, and having adopted a declaration of rights, it added a peti- 
tion to the king and an appeal to the people of Great Britain and Can- 
ada. The New York assembly, however, did not sanction the proceed- 
ing, and instead addressed a remonstrance to parliament, which was 
treated with disdain. Thus varying interests and emotions actuated 
the policy of the colonial assemblies until submission and argument 
were no longer of avail, and the battle of Lexington in April, 1775, an- 
nounced the beginning of the struggle for independence. Following 
close upon the first hostile meeting came the daring exploits of Allen 
and Arnold at Ticonderoga and on Lake Champlain, but it was some 
time before Tryon county, which then included this region, was made 
the scene of war and strife. 

The policy of the Americans had been to secure simply the neutral- 
ity of the Indians, but their success was practically limited to the 
Oneidas, while the British made undisguised efforts to unite them in 
close alliance with the royal cause. One of their officers exclaimed : 
"We must let loose the savages upon the frontier of these scoundrels 
to inspire terror and make them submit." Joseph Brant, the Mohawk 
chief, who had been educated by Sir William Johnson and who had 
been taken to England and shown marked favor by the government, 
was empowered to lead all who would follow him against the frontier 
settlements; and faithfully did he execute his terrible trust. Lord 
Chatham, however, hurled his bitterest invective against this inhuman- 
ity, and when in 1777 it was advocated in parliament in such words 
as these: " It is perfectly justifiable to use all the means that God and 
nature have put into our hands," he indignantly exclaimed: " I know 
not what idea that lord may entertain of God and nature, but I know 
that such abominable principles are equally abhorrent to religion and 
humanity." But Chatham's appeal was in vain, and the secretary of 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 15 

war (Germain) gave instructions to employ the Indians in fighting the 
Americans. A council had been held in Montreal by the chiefs and 
warriors of the Six Nations, the Johnsons, Butlers and Brant and others 
taking part, swearing fealty to the king. This was the first act in the 
long catalogue of slaughter and devastation that followed. 

So far as the Susquehanna valley was concerned, the earlier years of 
the war furnished little of interest. The chief point of operations by 
Brant and his Indian and tory followers was on the Canadian border, 
but he also had an occasional headquarters at De-u-na dillo (Unadilla)'. 
From the latter place he frequently sent out untiring scouting parties, 
and also more formidable forces composed of English regularsl'rangersl 
tories and Indians, keeping in a state of constant alarm the settlements 
along the Mohawk, the Delaware, some of the tributaries of the Hud- 
son, and as well various localities in the valley of the Susquehanna. 

On July 2, 1778, a party of Indians made a descent upon the settle- 
ment of Cobleskill, and two days later occurred the terrible affair at 
Wyoming. The latter event has always been referred to in history as 
"The Massacre." According to the facts no quarter was given during 
the conflict, and the tories and Senecas pursued and killed all they 
could, but those who reached the fort and afterward surrendered were 
not harmed, nor were any of the non-combatants. It was a battle, not 
a massacre. Soon after Wyoming the settlement of Andrustown, six 
miles from German Flats, was plundered by Brant and his warriors, 
and in November of the same year Brant and Butler, with 200 tories 
and 500 Indians, fell upon the settlement at Cherry Valley, plundered 
the dwellings and ruthlessly slaughtered the inhabitants. 

During the period of these and other outrages, the Susquehanna val- 
ley became a frequent thoroughfare of travel for the marauding parties 
of Indians and tories in passing between the western part of the state 
and the Mohawk country. Referring to this subject, Judge Avery's 
narrative says: " The old mode of communication between the valley 
of the Mohawk and Upper Canada, well known to the natives and used 
by them, namely: up the headquarters of that river to Wood creek, 
thence to Oneida lake and Oswego river, was rendered unsafe for them 
by the erection of Fort Schuyler. To reach within striking distance of 
his old home upon the Mohawk, Brant was forced to adopt another 
route, through the valley of the Susquehanna. Coming from the Brit- 
ish possessions on Lake Ontario, he landed his forces at Irondequoit 
bay, near the mouth of the Genesee ; thence up that river to the mouth 



16 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

of one of its tributaries ; thence up the tributary to a point near the 
headwaters of the Conhocton; thence down that stream to Painted 
Post; thence down the Tioga (or Chemung, as otherwise called) through 
Elmira (Skwe-dowa) to Tioga Point (now Athens, Penna. ), his south- 
ern headquarters; thence up the Susquehanna through Owego (Ah- 
wa-ga), Binghamton (O che-nang) and Ouquaga (Onuh-huh-quan-geh) 
to Unadilla (De-u-na-dillo), his northern headquarters." 

" Between Unadilla and Tioga Point," continues Judge Avery's nar- 
rative, "free communication was maintained by the Iroquois through- 
out the war, interrupted only for a brief interval in the summer of 1779 
by the appearance of a well appointed American force under General 
Clinton. Well beaten trails on both sides of the river, of considerable 
width, were the avenues of communication used by the natives, and 
over them bands of warriors passed and repassed without hindrance, ex- 
cept the one just alluded to. By the same trail our pioneer settlers 
soon after the close of the war made their way into the valley. They 
were found wide enough for the use of pack horses and cattle, and 
proved in after years upon careful survey the most direct and feasible 
routes from the east and north part of the state." 

"From Tioga Point to Unadilla our valley was their [the Indians] 
stronghold and war path, unvisited by the colonists throughout our 
memorable struggle, except as captives, or as officers or soldiers of 
our army of invasion. Here they drilled in martial exercise, trained 
themselves to warlike feats, and prepared for those deadly incursions 
into the frontier settlements, and for those more formidable engage- 
ments where disciplined valor breasted their wild charge. To this val- 
ley they returned, as to a fastness, with their captives and steaming 
trophies." 

In May, 1778, the Indians made an attack upon Wysockton and cap- 
tured many prisoners, all of whom were taken to Tioga Point and de 
livered up to the British officer in command. Here they w^ere kept un- 
til after the attack upon Wyoming, when all the prisoners (including 
Mrs. Jane Whitaker, who also was a captive), together with the Indians 
and other forces, came up to Owego and thence up the Susquehanna to 
Bainbridge and Unadilla. They remained in this vicinity about two 
weeks, and the captives had the privilege of a fireplace for the purpose 
of cooking. At Bainbridge two British soldiers deserted and attempted 
to make their way to Tioga Point, but were pursued and overtaken in 
the present town of Nichols, where they were shot down without cere- 
mony. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 1? 

As has been fully narrated in preceding paragraphs, the Indian dep- 
redations of 1778 at last determined congress upon a specially equipped 
expedition, the object of which was not only to punish the Indians in 
retaliation for their cruelties, but also to drive thera from the region. 
In 1778 Col. Hartley was sent to destroy the Indian encampment and 
village at Tioga Point, but still more severe punishment awaited them 
in the following year. The command of the expedition of 1779 was in- 
trusted to General Sullivan, and in the orders issued to him General 
Washington said: " The immediate objects are the total destruction of 
the hostile tribes of the Six Nations, and the devastation of their set- 
tlements, and the capture of as many prisoners of every age and sex as 
possible," Sullivan was also directed to " to 1 ly waste all the settle- 
ments around so that all the country may not only be overrun but de- 
stroyed." Later events showed how faithfully Sullivan performed the 
duty committed to him. Washington had said to him to push "the 
Indians to the greatest practicable distance from our settlements and 
our frontiers; to throw them wholly on the British enemy," and also 
"to put it out of their power to derive the smallest succor from their 
settlements " in case they should attempt to return to them during that 
season. 

Sullivan's campaign contemplated the formation of two considerable 
forces of Americans, the southern branch of which was to proceed 
across the state of Pennsylvania to Tioga Point (the common rendez- 
vous), while the other was to be organized under General Clinton in 
the eastern Mohawk valley and thence proceed to the headwaters of 
the Susquehanna river; thence down that stream to Tioga Point and 
there unite with Sullivan's army and devastate the country of the Sen- 
ecas in the western part of the state. Of the two forces Sullivan's moved 
with greater dispatch and arrived at the rendezvous far in advance of 
Clinton's men. The latter organized at Schenectady and thence moved 
up the Mohawk to Fort Plain, from the latter place marching to the 
outlet of the Otsego lake. In making this part of his journey Clinton 
was compelled to open a road, and at the outlet of the lake he con- 
ceived the idea of constructing a dam to raise the waters that the army 
might be floated down the river with greater speed. In doing this his 
movements were somewhat delayed, therefore when Sullivan arrived 
at Tioga Point he sent a sergeant and eight men up the Susquehanna 
to inform Clinton of his whereabouts and the appointed rendezvous. 
In this party were Job Stiles, William Weston and John Rush, the last 
2 



18 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

two of whom afterward became residents of Broome county and were 
among its substantial pioneers. The party came up the Susquehanna 
to the Chenango, thence up the latter to the Forks, from which point 
they made their way east and north across the country to Otsego lake. 
On returning they came with Clinton's men as far as where this city 
now stands, and thence followed the nearest route to Tioga Point. 

Although considerably delayed in his movements, Clinton at last 
started down the river on the swollen waters. On August 22 he ar- 
rived at Fort Sullivan, having in the meantime devastated the Indian 
country throughout the upper Susquehanna valley. On Thursday, 
March 12, his men destroyed Albout (also called Aleout, and Ouleout), 
a Scotch tory settlement on the river five miles above Unadilla. Next 
Conihunto, fourteen miles below Unadilla, was laid waste, while near 
Unadilla (the village itself having been destroyed by Col. William But- 
ler in 1778) the army burned the only grist and saw mill then in the 
Susquehanna valley. On the 14th the troops destroyed the Indian 
town of Onoquaga (Ouquaga), which was described by Lieut. Beatty as 
one of " the neatest Indian towns on the Susquehanna, being built on 
both sides of the river, with good log houses, with chimneys, and with 
glass windows." The village also had a church and burying ground 
and a large number of apple trees. In the same locality was found the 
ruins of an old fort, being one probably built for the Indians in 1756 by 
Sir William Johnson. (Rev. Gideon Hawley was a missionary here 
at a very early day. ) 

On August 17 the troops marched down to one of the Tuscarora vil- 
lages which had been burned the previous fall by Col. Butler. Here 
the men forded the river and found a small village called Shawhiangto, 
containing about ten or twelve houses, all of which were burned. This 
settlement was within the present town of Windsor. On the same day 
the army crossed over the barren mountainous country to the south and 
came to the Indian village of Ingaren, about on the site of Great Bend, 
where was found a few scattered houses and large fields of growing 
corn, potatoes and other vegetables. Here also was discovered a crude 
tanning establishment, with several hides in the tan pits, and near by 
the decayed body of a man, presumably a white from the fact that a 
Scotch hat was found near the spot. 

On the next day the march was resumed, and as the army was now 
approaching the site whereon stands the city of Binghamton, the writer 
has recourse to the journal of Lieut. Erkuries Beatty, one of Clinton's 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 19 



as 



officers, who kept a diary of each day's events. This is important 
bearing upon the early history of the region, as undoubtedly this was 
the first considerable body of men ever within the limits of the city; 
and it is a well-known fact that through the information gained on this 
memorable expedition the first settlers were induced to come to the 
vicinity. The journal referred to reads (literally) as follows: 

" Wensday 18— Marched from Ingaren 7 oclock through a very fine 
rich country very well timbered but poorly watered, scarce any. Ar- 
rived at Chenango river at 4 oclock where we forded it about 4 feet 
deep & almost as wide as the Susquehanna but not so deep. As soon 
as we got over we halted and Major Parr with 100 men went up the 
river to destroy the Chinango town which lay 4 miles up the river, but 
when we came there we found the town was burnt which consisted of 
about 20 houses. It seems when the Indians evacuated last winter 
they destroyed it, therefore we returned and found the army encamped 
2 mile below the Chinango river. Marched to day 22 miles and burnt 
several Indian houses on the road. This evening came up the river 
two runners who informed us that General Poor with 1,000 men was 
within nine miles of us coming to meet us and that Genl. Sullivan lay at 
the mouth of Tyoga and that he had sent part of hi^ army up to Sha- 
mong [Chemung]," etc. 

The foregoing quotation from Lieut. Beatty's narrative is taken ver- 
batim, as the same is recorded in the published account of Sullivan's 
historic campaign. Another interesting narrative is found in the jour- 
nal of Lieut. William McKendry, who was quartermaster in Col. Alden's 
Sixth Mass. Regiment. From Lieut. McKendry's diary we make ex- 
tracts as follows: 

"August 18 — Embarked at 7 o'clock a. m. proceeded one mile and 
burnt one house right side of the river. Went a little further and burnt 
two more. Arrived half a mile below Cheningo creek and turned back 
to said creek and encamped. The general detached a party of men to 
go up said creek and destroy Cheningo town, which was done. Two 
men from Gen'l. Poor arrived to Genl. Clinton and informs that Genl. 
Poor will be within eight miles from this camp this night to escort 
Genl. Clinton's troops to Genl. Sullivan." 

This narrative seems to confirm the statement of John Rush, who 
was with the army, that a camp was established temporarily on the site 
of what is now the city. It is hardly to be presumed that Gen. Clinton 
kept his men in a compact body, for such was not the case. The main 



20 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

force was held practically to the valley of the Susquehanna, and detach- 
ments were sent to such points as contained Indian houses or growing- 
crops. 

Lieut. Rudolphus Van Hovenburgh was an officer in Lieut.-Col. Weis- 
senfel's 4th New York Regiment, and kept a journal of each day's move- 
ments. In reference to the events taking place in this immediate vicinity 
the officer said: " Tuscarora, August 18, Wednesday.— We decamped 
and marched at 6 in the morning as far as Shenengo, which is about 16 
miles, and encamped about 4 miles below the Shenengo where it emp- 
ties itself into the Sisquehannah river." And further: " Shenango, 
August 19, Thursday. — We decamped and proceeded on our march at 
G in the morning as far as Chuckenugh [then an Indian town called 
Chugnutt, but in the locality now known as Choconut] where we met 
with a detachment from Sullivan's army under the command of Gen- 
eral Poor." 

Chugnutt just mentioned was an important Indian town of about fifty 
or sixty houses, nearly all of which were on the south side of the river, 
at the mouth of Big Choconut creek, on the site of the present village 
of Vestal. The Indian village was burned by Gen. Poor's detachment, 
the main body of which, however, was camped on the north side of the 
river near the present village of Union. At this place Clinton's force 
joined Poor's and then proceeded to Ahwaga upon the devastating ex- 
pedition into the Seneca country. The first and in fact the only serious 
battle between Sullivan's army and the Indians was that fought at 
Newtown (Elmira) on August 31, 1779, where the enemy was found 
not only in force but strongly intrenched behind breastworks, while 
their position was surrounded with fallen timber to obstruct the move- 
ments of the attacking army. Notwithstanding this Sullivan assaulted 
the works with such vigjr that the Indians and tories were driven from 
their position and fled precipitately in the direction of Fort Niagara, 
a British stronghold. The conquering army then marched hastily to 
the head of Seneca lake, thence down both sides thereof, burning and 
destroying as they went, but meeting with no serious opposition from 
the thoroughly disheartened Indians. The villages were found almost 
entirely deserted, but all the habitations were burned, growing crops 
and fruit trees were destroyed, and the country was laid waste. The 
British soldiers who had opposed Sullivan at Newtown, together with 
their tory allies and Brant's murderous horde of savages betook them- 
selves to the protection of Niagara, from which point the Indians could 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPiMENT. 21 

not again be prevailed upon to repossess their former villages during 
the remaining years of the war. 

The results of the campaign to the Americans were important and 
valuable. In all forty-one villages and hamlets were burned, thirteen 
of which were of considerable size, while it was estimated that 150,000 
bushels of corn were destroyed, besides large quantities of other grain, 
crops, vegetables and fruit orchards. To the Indians this blow was a 
more serious matter than the destruction of their villages in earlier 
times, as contact with the whites had taught them to adopt more per- 
manent domestic habits, and had learned them to depend more on ag- 
riculture and less on the chase. They had not only cornfields, but gar- 
dens, orchards, and sometimes comfortable houses. By this time they 
had adopted many of the customs of civilized life, though without re- 
linquishing any of their primitive pleasures, such as tomahawking pris- 
oners and scalping the dead. 

Although Clinton's men were supposed to have destroyed every ves- 
tige of the Indian habitations and crops in this vicinity, the earliest 
pioneers found on Chenango Point, and on the site of the old village 
up the Chenango, scattered evidences of the former occupation. So far 
as published records throw any light upon the subject, it is believed the 
Indian settlement of Ochenang was situated on the point of land be- 
tween the rivers, and was probably well up toward Susquehanna street 
(as afterward laid out), as the land on the extremity of the point was 
low and subject to inundation from the rivers. The village referred to 
as Otseningo was located on the west bank of the Chenango, a short 
distance above the point where Mt. Prospect extends farthest east 
toward the river. The Indians had abandoned and partly destroyed 
the village before the arrival of Major Parr's detachment. 

In this chapter we have been thus particular and treated in detail re- 
garding the events which took place in this immediate locality from the 
fact that past accounts have been somewhat conflicting. As has been 
stated, on the city site the destroying army found a few scattered 
Indian habitations, and while Judge Avery mentions the locality by the 
Indian name of Ochenang, neither of the officers whose journals have 
been consulted appears to have dignified the place with a name. The 
main body of Clinton's army soon passed on down the river and en- 
camped on the north bank, about where the highway leading to Union 
crosses the Erie tracks (where in later years a hamlet settlement was 
started), while the detachment sent to destroy Otseningo made a tem- 
porary encampment on what is now the city site. 



22 BIXGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Returning from this important digression, let us briefly refer to the 
closing events of the war in other localities, which had gone forward 
with varying fortunes. The Johnsons and Walter Butler from their 
safe retreat in Canada kept the Indians busy with marauding depreda- 
tions on the American frontier, but the scenes of Wyoming and Cherry 
valley were not repeated, as the campaign of 1779 had broken the 
strength of the confederacy and the Six Nations were no longer a pow- 
erful factor in the British interest. In 1781 Corawallis surrendered, 
after which there were no active hostilities, although peace was not 
formally declared between the United States and Great Britain until 
1783. 



CHAPTER IV. 



Reminiscences of the Revolution, with a Roll of Honor Showing the Names of 
Patriots of that War who afterward Settled in Broome County — The Memorial to 
Congress Praying that Pensions be Granted to Soldiers of the Militia and State 
Troops. 

The war of the Revolution was the first and most interesting event 
in connection with early history in the Susquehanna valley, and partic- 
ularly the region now called Broome county. Daring the war the de- 
sirability and fertility of the land in this locality became known to the 
hardy New Englander, and after the return of peace he was not slow 
to avail himself of the opportunity to exchange life among the rough 
and rugged hills of New England for the rich and level lands of the 
Susquehanna and Chenango valleys. 

Clinton's army opened the way for civilization and development, and 
it is believed the Massachusetts commissioners had definite knowl- 
edge of this locality when they selected the lands between Owego creek 
and the Chenango river as the balance of their tract after securing the 
pre-emptive right to the magnificent Genesee country. 

In General Sullivan's conquering army were soldiers from several 
states, but the men forming Clinton's division were chiefly from eastern 
New York and New England; and within two years after the Hartford 
convention, and almost before the Indian titles to land in this vicinity 
had been extinguished, we find the hardy pioneers seeking homes in 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 23 

this new and undeveloped region. Among them were many patriots 
of the Revohition, and it is said that one of their number was the first 
pioneer who settled in this part of the valley. James McMaster located 
on the site of Owego village in 1784. He had served in Clinton's army, 
and through his representations, aided by the influence of Amos Draper, 
Capt. Joseph Leonard, the recognized pioneer in the vicinity, was in- 
duced to come to the locality. He too had seen service in the war then 
recently ended, and was a man noted for bravery and strong actions. 

During the early years of Broome county history, many old survivors 
of the Revolution came and settled in the valley, and so far as the most 
patient inquiry has been rewarded their total number was about 250 
men. Through the persevering efforts of the historian of Tuscarora 
Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution,' the names of 
these settlers have been secured and thus preserved for the use of future 
generations. The reproduction of their names forms our first " Roll of 
Honor," and while the purpose of this volume is to treat only of Bing- 
hamton and its immediate vicinity, the writer cannot forbear to furnish 
the entii^e list regardless of location of the patriot settler. 

It is sometimes difficult to believe that 250 survivors of the Revolu- 
tion came and made homes for themselves and their families in the 
region we now call Broome county, yet such appears to have been the 
case; and as the preceding pages have been devoted to a resume of the 
events of that memorable struggle, the present connection seems appro- 
priate in which to record the names of the participants who afterward 
lived in the county. The descendants of many of them are still living 
in the vicinity, and from them reliable data of their ancestors is ob- 

1 Tuscarora Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution 
was organized in Binghamton, October 12, 1895, and was chartered October 30, of the same year. 
The charter members were Kate Moss Ely, Helen D. Orton, Augusta B. Childs, Minnie E. Wood- 
bridge, Mary A. Mason, Mary Thurston Campbell, Ella E. Woodbridge. Susan Doubleday 
Crafts, Frances O. Doubleday, Caroline Shoemaker Phelps, Adele C. Boyd, Sarah B. Graver, 
Nellie M. Grow, Minnie Shepard Matthews, Cornelia Pope Crafts, Bessie V. H. Dickinson, Lucy 
Ely, Catherine R. Ely, Lottie E. Morris, Olive Newell, Frances Kinney, Louise R. Woodruff, 
Annie Mason, Belle Armstrong Mason and May O Barnes. 

The first officers were Kate Moss Ely, regent ; Helen D. Orton, vice-regent ; Mary A. Mason, 
secretary; Augusta E. Childs, registrar ; Minnie E. Woodbridge, treasurer ; Mary Thurston 
Campbell, historian. Tuscarora Chapter now numbers 96 members. The office of regent has 
been filled in succession by Mrs. Kate Moss Ely, Miss Susan Doubleday Crafts, Mrs. Kate M, 
Bartlett and Mrs Cora Thompson Farnham. The present officers are Cora Thompson Farnham, 
regent; Caroline Shoemaker Phelps, Sarah Bates Craver, Mrs. Elmer E. Ensign and Mrs. Anna 
Cornelia Gregg, vice-regents ; Mrs. Orlando J. Rowe, chaplain ; Mrs. Mary Northrup, registrar ; 
Mrs. Minnie Shepard Matthews, historian ; Miss Cornelia Pope Crafts, treasurer ; Frances Cruger 
Ford, recording secretary ; Mrs. Annie Mason, corresponding secretary ; Mrs. Kate yi. Bartlett, 
Lillian Gould, Mrs. Harriet Bedford Leighton and Mrs Emilie Trowbridge, board of managers. 



M BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

tained, but in a majority of cases the information is meagre, hence the 
name only of the person is given. 

Among these patriots were some of the strongest characters in early 
Tioga and Broome county history; men who molded and influenced 
the social and political course of the community in later years, and 
whose names are worthy to be recorded in history. Others among 
them were perhaps equally worthy but who were quiet, unassuming 
artisans and agriculturalists, whose lives lay along a different path and 
drew no attention to themselves. But, so far as known, all were earn- 
est, upright pioneers who as soldiers opened the way for civilization 
and settlement, and who came to reap the benefits of life in a locality 
as promising as any in the southern part of the state. 

The roll of Revolutionary soldiers follows, and may be considered 
reasonably accurate. 

Capt. Joseph Leonard, born 1751, died 1842; was in battles of Bunker 
Hill, Wyoming and others. For further notice see later pages. 

Abel De Forest, a noted character in early village history, and father 
of the late Capt. William De Forest. This surname is preserved in our 
present De Forest street, on the north side of which still stands the old 
pioneer's dwelling, and in which, if tradition be coiTect, many notables 
were entertained in early times. Abel De Forest was one of Andre's 
guards, and gained much prominence during the war. 

Sergt. Elias Pratt, born 1743, died 1834: enl. 1777 and served one 
year, when he was dis. for disabilities; served in Capt. Christopher 
Ely's 1st Regt. of Conn, troops. Sergt. Pratt was the grandfather of 
the late Hallam, George, Frank and William H. Pratt. 

Sergt. Jesse Hinds, born in Greenwich, IMass. , died 1842; served in 
Mass. militia; was taken prisoner and recaptured; enlisted again in 1779 
in Capt. Dan Shay's company; came to Binghamton in 1818. 

Gains Morgan, father of Maj. Augustus Morgan, and grandfather of 
Tracy R., Julius P., and the late Frederick A. Morgan. Of his military 
service little is known. He came here from Connecticut when an old 
man. 

William Stuart, born 1759, died 1831; abandoned school and entered 
the colonial army at the age of 16 ; served seven years and was in many 
important battles, including the surrender of Cornwallis; attached to 
the staff of the commander-in-chief; original member of the "Society 
of the Cincinnati " ; married a daughter of James Clinton ; further men- 
tion in later chapter. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 25 

Capt. John Sawtell, pioneer on the farm now owned by Luke Dick- 
son, where he kept tavern and entertained Talleyrand when the latter 
passed through Chenango Point; served at Bunker Hill, and was one 
of the famous " Boston Tea Party." 

Lieut. Selah Squires, born 1754, died 1837; enlisted as volunteer in 
Apr., 1775, in Conn, troops; enlisted 1776 and served three months. 
Lieut. Squires learned the trade of hatter with Lewis Keeler, and in 
1804 started a hat shop at the southeast corner of Court and Washing- 
ton streets. He was a notable character in early village history, and 
some of his descendants still live in the city. 

Andrew Hauver (also spelled Hawver), born 1754, died 1816; served 
three years; moved to Chenango in 18 IG. Some of his descendants 
have attained prominence m various walks of life. 

Col. William Rose, enlisted three times and served with credit through- 
out the war, gaining the title of colonel. He came to Chenango in 
1786; was the first school teacher in the vicinity, and a man of much 
note in the county. 

Ebenezer Tracy served three years in a company of Mass. Infantry. 
At death he was buried in Lisle. He was probably related to Thomas 
Tracy, a pioneer in Vestal and grandfather of Gen. B. F. Tracy, of 
New York. 

Aaron Forbes, enlisted 1780 in Col. Harris' regiment of Mass. troops. 

William Harris, enlisted 1775 in Capt. Harridan's company of Mass. 
line troops; was at Bunker Hill, White Plains, Ticonderoga, Lake 
George, Burgoyne's surrender; served five years. 

Azel Crandall, born 1755 in Westerly, R. L ; enlisted 1775 and served 
at King's Bridge, New London and elsewhere under Gen. Tarbox; 
moved to Chenango in 1822. 

David Hurlbut, enlisted and served three years in Conn, state line. 
He was the ancestor of the Hurlbut families well known in later village 
history. 

James Osborn, born 1760, in Ridgefield, Conn., died J 853; enlisted 

1775 in Mass. state troops, and in 1777 in Col. Smith's Mass. regiment; 
served 13 months; settled in Chenango in 1840. 

Moses Barlow, born in Norwalk, Conn, in 1750, died 1834; enlisted 

1776 in Gen. Van Nest's brigade, and in 1778 in Col. Humphrey's reg- 
iment and Gen. Clinton's brigade; later served with Gen. Ten Brock's 
brigade; settled in Chenango in 1816. 

Henry Palmer, born in Pond Ridge, N. Y., in 1763, and enl. at 16 



26 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

years of age in the State Coast Guards; enl. 1780 in Col. Wisenfeldt's 
Regt. and served as a minuteman in the militia; came to the vicinity 
of Chenang-o Bridge in 1810, and was the ancestor of one of the promi- 
nent Palmer families in Chenango. 

Robert Meeker, born in Conn, in 1752, died 1835; enl. 1775 and 
served three months in Col. Van Ness' regiment of state troops; re enl. 
1777 at Fort Edward in Gen. Schuyler's command and served through- 
out the war; came to Chenango in 1807 and settled on the farm next to 
Gen, Whitney's. 

Sergt. Amos Beecher, born in Conn, in 1763, died 1832; was a vol- 
unteer in Col. Willis's state troops; also served in Col. Webb's com- 
mand and helped build the fort at Dorchester Heights; was also in the 
naval service. 

Timothy Cross, born 17G0, in Conn., served as private three months; 
was at Ticonderoga, and in Gen. Stark's regiment at battle of Benning- 
ton; was also at Stillwater (Saratoga) and afterward in Gen. Poor's 
regiment, regular army; settled in Chenango in 1819. 

David Mathewson, enl. 1781 in 3d Conn. line. 

Smith A. Scofield, served in Conn, state line regt. ; was the ancestor 
of the Scofield families living north of Binghamton. 

Asa W. Durkee, New Hampshire state line. 

William Walker, Penna. state line. 

Gen. William Whitney, who was among the early settlers north of 
the city site, was a soldier of prominence during the Revolution, but 
data of his career is meagre. He was an original member of the " So- 
ciety of the Cincinnati." 

Henry Brewer, teamster; enl. 1775, served six years. 

John Swan, enl. 1781 in Mass. state troops. 

Moses Ashley, commonly referred to as General Ashley; a man of 
much note in early local history, and believed to have been a soldier of 
prominence during the war. 

There were also Capt. Raymond, Col. David Pixley (a conspicuous 
figure in early Owego history), John S. Smith and Charles Stone, all of 
whom, with those previously mentioned, are recorded in the archives 
of the Daughters of the Revolution as having some time lived in the 
town of Chenango as originally created. 

James Britton, born Kingston, N. Y., 17G3, entered the army in 
1776, and later on served in the N. Y. militia; died 18o3; settled in 
Vestal in 1802. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 27 

Abraham Winans, served as private throughout the war 
Davis Truesdell, served in Col. Delavan's cavalry, and also in other 
branches of the army; settled in Vestal in 1801. 

Jacob Skillman, private, settled in Union in 1800, and was the ances- 
tor of a prominent family in the town. 

John Wilson, private in N. Y. troops; settled in Union in 1839. 

Solomon Robbins, private in N. Y. troops; settled in Union in 1821. 

Isaac Potts, private in N. Y. troops. 

James Brown, jr., private in Mass. line. 

Penenas Pomeroy, served in Mass. line. 

Adjutant-General Joshua Mercereau, one of the distinguished officers 
of the Revolution, and the friend and associate of Washington. Gen. 
Mercereau is believed to have settled first on the Vestal ''side of the 
river and afterward moved to Union. He was a prominent figure in 
local affairs and from him have descended some of the best families of 
the county. 

John Mercereau, brother of General Mercereau, came to Vestal in 
1792 but soon removed to the site of Union village, in which locality 
some of his descendants have ever since lived. For further mention of 
General and John Mercereau see chapter relating to Union. 

John Durfee, enl. in Conn, state troops and was sent to Rhode Isl- 
and, where he saw both land and naval service. 

John Wilson, also a patriot, settled in Union, but of his career noth- 
ing is now known. 

James Roberts, enl. as substitute in 1776 in Conn line troops. 

William Matthewson, who settled in Triangle in 1807, and who died 
in 1835, had an honorable Revolutionary record. 

Ashbel Osborn, who settled in Colesville in 1807, and whose name is 
well preserved in the town, was a teamster in the service. 

Joel Curtis, of Colesville, was a private. 

Edmund Kattell, of Colesville, was a Rhode Island soldier, and set- 
tled in this county in 1820; died 1833. From this surname we have 
the little hamlet called Kattellville, and also several prominent families 
in that part of the county. The late Alonzo and Judge Edward A. 
Kattell were descended from this Revolutionary pioneer. 

Thomas Eldridge, who settled on the river in Vestal in 1793, was 
an officer of militia and of marines during the service, and also served 
on a privateer and French frigate. 

Of the remaining Revolutionary soldiers who found homes in this 



28 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

county, few were located in the vicinity of what is now the city, there- 
fore we may record their names briefly and collectively, and without 
regard to the particular service of each unless of an unusually promi- 
nent character. 

In addition to those before mentioned may be recalled the names of 
Thomas Greene, of Triangle; John Wheeler and William Wood, of 
Lisle; Joel Garnsey, of Windsor, of the 4th Regt. of Conn, troops; 
Roswell Higley settled in Windsor in 1792, and served at Montreal and 
Quebec; Elijah Gaylord, who settled in the county in 1829; Benj. John- 
son, Triangle, settled 1810; Sergt. Nathaniel Cole, of Colesville; 

Rogers (whose christian name was either John or Simeon), Barker; 
Jedediah Blanchard, Lisle; Moses Lyon, Sanford; Elias Bevier, Conk- 
lin, settled 1815; Joshua Baker, settled in Colesville 1812; Paul Atwell, 
said to have come to Windsor in 1780; Samuel Stow, settled in Wind- 
sor 1793 (grandfather of Nelson and George W. Stow); Martin In- 
gram, Maine ; William Weston, who was one of the bearers of dispatches 
from Sullivan to Clinton in 1879, one of the first white men to trav- 
erse the vSusquehanna valley, was a fifer in Gen. Poor's troops and 
later a soldier, a pioneer and for many years a resident of Vestal; 
Capt. Luther Mason, born in Litchfield, Conn., and served with troops 
of that state (settled in Windsor, died in 1843; was the ancestor of 
Mary A. Mason, well known in local, social and literary circles); Ma- 
lachi Loveland, Windsor, served as ensign; David Manning, Lisle; 
John Stewart, Windsor; Joseph Stoddard, Lisle, great-grandfather of 
Mrs. George Whitney; John Rush, Vestal, one of Poor's brigade and 
one of the dispatch bearers who came through the valley in 1779, and 
with his companions was on the site of Binghamton before the war was 
ended. (Patriot Rush is recalled as a man of unusual stature and of 
excellent mental qualities. He was one of Washington's body guard, 
and served in many of the most important battles of the war; was 
guard over Andre, and one of the men appointed to escort Lord Corn- 
wallis into the American camp after his surrender; John Rush, of the 
war of 1812, was son of the Revolutionary Rush, and La Fayette Rush 
is the son of John, jr.); Jedediah Seward, Maine, settled in 1786, was 
under Washington's command; John Thomas, Conklin, private in Mass. 
troops; John Conklin, Conklin, was present as guard at execution of 
Andre; John Ramsey, Lisle, Conn, line; Orange Johnson, Lisle, Mass. 
line; John Wasson, Colesville, Conn, line; Joseph Hess, Windsor, black- 
smith; Jonas Underwood, Windsor, Mass. line; Ambrose Barnes and 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 



29 



Benj. Parker, Lisle; Thaddeus Thompson, Lisle, Mem. Soc. of the Cin- 
cinnati; Davis Hulbert, Lisle; Capt. Horatio Ross, Union (Ovvego); 
Samuel Phipps, Lisle; Richard Walling, Owego; Garret Cronk, Lisle,' 
Anson Camp, Campville; Silas Walton, Lisle; James Roberts, drummer,' 
a pioneer of Hooper; Jasper Edwards, Lisle, set. 1793; Jos. Cleveland,' 
Hooper, set. 1812; Seth Edson, Colesville; Benj. Warner, Windsor,' 
set. 1801; Elmore Russell, Windsor, set. 1800; Aaron Benedict, Lisle| 
set. 1808, died 1836; Samuel Hinman, Triangle; James Knox, Coles- 
ville; Nathaniel Rogers, Triangle; Chris. Coates, Barker; Thomas 
Crawford, town unknown; "Tom," the Indian scout, who gave splen- 
did service during the war. 

The rolls of the society also contain many names of soldiers whose 
place of residence was not known. Among them were Daniel Culvert, 
Charles Ripley, Benj. Parker, John Parker, Isaac Potts, Winthrop Roe 
(Union), Perley Rogers, George Ramsey, Keene Robinson, Josiah Swift, 
Silas Seward (McClure Settlement), Jonas Underwood (Sanford), James 
Watson, James Wheeler, Silas Walton, Anthony West, Stephen Sey- 
mour, David Chamberlain, Samuel Ingraham, Elias Bayless, Simeon 
Gould, John Gee, Caleb Gleason, Joseph Handy, Reuben Holbrook, 
Joseph Heath, Seth Hamlin (North Sanford), Wm. Harris, Wm. John- 
son, Edward and Orange Johnson, Reuben Legg, John McMullin, 
Gardner Knowlton, Eli Nichols, George Notewire, Joseph Pike, David 
Potter, Paddock Pierce, Sylvanus Finch, Abner Rockwell, John Wilkin- 
son, Orringh vStoddard (the last four of Union), Joshua Wilson, Wm. 
Wood, Jos. Howland, Isaac Livermore, John Allen, Azel Bentley, Cald- 
well Cook, Oldham Coates, Elijah Dewey, Elisha Dickinson, Jonathan 
Hervey, Samuel Greenly, Elnathan Gload, John Goodale, John Nash, 
Caleb Nourse, Henry Newton, Cornelius McClease, and Titus Paige. 

There were also Solomon Frost, Eri Kent, John Bartis, Israel i\lden, 
Nathaniel Burlingame and Joshua Knowlton of Windsor; Samuel 
Badger, of Colesville; Solomon Armstrong, of Barker; John Andrus, 
of Kirkwood; Benj. Lawrence, of Conklin; Asaph Morse, of Nanticoke. 

Nearly all of these old patriots of the war for American independence 
were in modest circumstances, some of them very poor, while few in- 
deed of the number could afford any of the luxuries of life as then en- 
joyed. They came to the region, as did other pioneers, hoping to ben- 
efit their condition and provide comfortable homes for their families. 
Their land was purchased at reasonable prices, and they at once set 
about its cultivation and development. As it was with the survivor of 



30 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

the Revolution so it was with his neighbor who did not take part in 
that struggle, but it so happened at that time that the patriots had 
cause to exclaim against an existing condition. 

Under a law of congress passed March 18, 1818, pensions were pro- 
vided to be paid to those soldiers of the Revolution who had served in 
the regular or United States army, and they alone were entitled to its 
benefits, to the exclusion of the militia or state troops, whose service in 
many cases was fully as meritorious and hazardous as that of their more 
favored fellows. The injustice or at least the discriminating provisions 
of the act were so manifest that the whole body of troops, both regulars 
and militiamen, were loud in their denunciation of them, yet more than 
twelve years passed before congress remedied the wrong. In 1830 and 
1831 the militia troops of the country sent petitions to congress, pray- 
ing that they too be admitted to the benefits of the pension act; and in 
pursuance of the prevailing sentiment of the period, the surviving sol- 
diers of the Revolution then living in the town of Chenango, with a 
few from other towns, but representing the body of survivors in the 
county, regardless of the branch of service with which they were con- 
nected, assembled in mass meeting at Binghamton on June 7, 1832, and 
adopted a memorial to be presented to congress. The petition was duly 
prepared, read and adopted, and ordered sent to congress. It was 
signed by the 47 delegates present, and was as follows : 

"To the Honorable, the Congress of the United States of America 
in Senate and House of Representatives assembled. 

"The memorial of the undersigned, inhabitants of the county of 
Broome, in the State of New York, sheweth: That your memorialists 
enlisted and were actively engaged as soldiers and artificers and at- 
tached to that portion of the army known as state troops, in the war of 
the Revolution ; that they have received in fact no compensation for their 
services either from the government of the United States, or from the 
state, in the militia on which man}' of your memorialists served; that 
some of your memorialists can show the scars of honorable wounds re- 
ceived in the service of their country against the common enemy, and 
that they are fast approaching the termination of life, broken down by 
infirmities, oppressed by poverty, and their only hope of relief is in 
this, their earnest appeal to the justice of this country. 

" Your memorialists therefore pray that some provision may be made 
by an act of your honorable body, to relieve their necessities in their 
declining years, and thus smoothe the passage to that humble grave 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 31 

which they are fast approaching:; and your memorialists will ever 
pray." 

"May 8, 1831." 

As previously stated, the memorial was signed by forty-seven of the 
petitioners, chiefly those who are mentioned as having lived in the 
town of Chenango, as then constituted. 

Memorials of a similar character were forwarded to congress from 
various portions of this state, and from other states, and the result was 
an act passed June 7, 1832, extending the benefits of the pension laws 
to all soldiers of the Revolutionary war whose service was in the organ- 
ized militia of state troops. 

Immediately after the passage of the act another meeting of surviv- 
ors was held at the " Binghamton Hotel," at which time Col. William 
Rose was chosen chairman, and John Rodgers, of Barker, secretary. 
At this time a series of resolutions were adopted, one of which was as 
follows: "Resolved, That our representatives in congress who have 
been instrumental in procuring the passage of the act of June 7, 1832, 
granting pay and pensions to the surviving soldiers of the Revolution, 
have and are justly entitled to our thanks." 

The second resolution provided that George Park be appointed at- 
torney to act for and secure to the survivors the pensions authorized in 
the act above referred to. 

At that time and for many years afterward George Park was one of 
the prominent characters in village history. He was perhaps best 
known as " Squire " Park by reason of his connection in one capacity 
and another with the administration of law. Squire Park's reminis- 
cences of early life in the village would form one of the most interest- 
ing chapters in local history, for his especial delight was to sit with the 
pioneers and draw from them in his pleasant manner the best of their 
recollections of old times. His maps and manuscripts were preserved 
throughout his life, but after his death they were unfortunately regard- 
ed as of little value, hence were scattered and lost. It was Squire Park 
who drew and prepared the outline map of Binghamton in 1810, which 
has been reproduced in almost every work treating of early life in this 
most interesting locality. He came to the village in 1810 and was a 
continuous resident to the time of his death, about twenty years ago. 
(See Bench and Bar chapter for further notice). 

Of the old Revolutionary survivors who once formed a considerable 
element of population in Chenango, not one now remains to tell again 



32 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

the Story of life either in the army or the ahnost equally eventful period 
of pioneership in the region. They are all gone, and while their de- 
scendants are still numerous in the county, the records of the Daugh- 
ters of the Revolution show but two members who were daughters in 
fact of those patriotic ancestors. Like the original, the second genera- 
tion has now almost entirely passed away. 



CHAPTER V. 



The Land Titles— Charters by the Crown — Conflicting Claims of Massachusetts 
and New York — The Hartford Convention — The Boston Purchase — Bingham's Pat- 
ent — Brief Sketch of William Bingham, in whose Honor Binghamton was Named — 
The Castle Reservation. 

The treaty of peace between Great Britain and the United States es- 
tablished the boundary line of their respective possessions along the 
center of Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence and Niagara rivers, and Lake 
Erie, but regardless of this the British held forts on the American side, 
maintained garrisons and frequently attempted to incite the Senecas to 
make war on the Americans. The treaty made no provision whatever 
for the Indian allies of Great Britain. Theirs had been an alliance with 
a falling power, and the savages could expect no consideration at the 
hands of the victorious Americans. They had neither the means nor 
the capacity to measure the cost or consequences of war. The United 
States, and also this state, treated them with great consideration and 
with much moderation, although they had twice violated their pledges 
and engaged m war against the colonies. They were nevertheless ad- 
mitted to the benefits of peace and were recognized as the owners of 
all the land in the state over which they had roamed previous to the 
Revolution. The "line of property," as it has been called, ran along 
the eastern boundary of Broome and Chenango counties and thence 
northeast to a point seven miles west of Fort Stanwix (Rome). This 
line was established at a council held at Fort Stanwix in 17G8, between 
American commissioners, headed by Sir William Johnson, and the 
sachems and chiefs of the vSix Nations. All the lands of the state east 
of the line were to be regarded as a part of the English territory, while 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 33 

the Indians held the country west of the hne. At a treaty held at Fort 
Herkimer in 1785 the Onondagas and Tuscaroras sold to the state all 
the land between the Unadilla and Chenango riv^ers, but the Tuscaroras 
received no portion of the proceeds. In this purchase the state acquired 
from the Indians eleven full townships of land and parts of four others 
in the present counties of Broome, Chenango and Tioga. In 1788 the 
Oneidas ceded all their remaining lands to the state, except certain 
reservations in Oneida and Madison counties. In the same year the 
Onondagas sold to the state all their lands, except a hundred mile res- 
ervation. 

The earlier cessions of land above referred to were indirectly the out- 
growth of an existing controversy between the states of Massachusetts 
and New York regarding their respective boundary lines. This dispute 
had an important bearing on the question of land titles in Broome 
county, and therefore deserves attention in this connection. 

As has been stated in a preceding chapter, in 1606 James I, of Eng- 
land, granted a charter to certain residents of Plymouth which carried 
title to all the territory between the 40th and 48th parallels of latitude, 
and extended from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The Plymouth Council 
was incorporated in 1620 and was authorized to make any transfer of 
the land held under the charter of 1606. The so-called Massachusetts 
Bay grant was made in 1608, and was confirmed m 1629. The Con- 
necticut charter was made in 1630, and was confirmed by Charles II in 
1662. In 1664 the same king granted by letters patent to his brother 
James all the territory from the St. Croix to the Kennebec in Maine, 
and from the west bank of Connecticut river to the east side of Dela- 
ware bay. This was the grant mentioned in a previous chapter, the 
immediate result of which was the overthrow of the Dutch dominion 
in the Netherlands. It created for the benefit of the duke a proprietary 
government similar to that under which Pennsylvania was granted to 
and settled by William Penn. But in 1685 the Duke of York succeeded 
to the throne, and his charter thereupon merged in the crown. There- 
after New York was governed as a royal province instead of a propri- 
etary, which fact in a measure accounts for the loyalty to the crown of 
all its governors previous to the Revolution. Tryon was the meanest 
and torylike of the lot, and it was through his inimical conduct that 
New York furnished so many tories to the British arms during the war. 

From what has been stated in preceding paragraphs it must be seen 
that the charters for the eastern companies and that for New York 

3 



34 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

were conflicting, and that the grant to the Duke of York overlapped 
that of the Plymouth company. Previous to the Revolution settle- 
ments had not extended far in the western country, and as America 
was then composed of struggling colonies no attention was given by 
them to their boundaries ; but after state governments had been estab- 
lished, and the perpetuity of the United States was assured, the states 
began looking carefully to the extent of their respective possessions. 
The result was a dispute concerning the ownership of, and jurisdiction 
over, this state, and for a time the controvesy was carried on with 
much warmth. Finally the federal government called for a cession of 
the territory on both sides with an intention to settle the matter amica- 
bly between the contestants; but in the meantime commissioners rep- 
resenting the states met at Hartford, Conn. (Dec. 16, 1786), and com- 
promised the dispute. According'to the determination of the commis- 
sioners, New York retained sovereignty and jurisdiction over all the 
territory of the state, while to Massachusetts was ceded the right of 
pre-emption of the soil (that is, right of first purchase from the native 
Indians) of substantially all the tertitory west of a line drawn due north 
from the 82d milestone on the Pennsylvania north line extending north 
through Seneca lake to great Sodus Bay, in Lake Ontario. New York 
also ceded to Massachusetts the pre-emptive right to 230,400 acres of 
land lying between Owego creek and the Chenango river. The south 
boundary of this tract extended due east and west between the 
mouth of the Owego creek and a point about a mile above the mouth 
of the Chenango. The line in fact began about 500 feet north of the 
north line of Prospect street and thence extended west across the north- 
east corner of Spring Forest cemetery and the Seymour farm to Les- 
tershire, entering the river just west of the mouth of Little Choconut 
creek. The lands (now in Vestal) whereon pioneers Daniel and Sam- 
uel Seymour settled were included in the purchase, but about a quar- 
ter of a mile west of the mouth of Patterson's creek the line recrossed 
the Susquehanna and thence continued due west to Owego creek. 

Thus it is seen that a small part of what is now Vestal is on the Bos- 
ton Ten Towns tract, but a comparatively small part of our city is 
within the purchase. The towns of Maine, Nanticoke, Lisle, Triangle, 
Baker, are within the tract, as also are parts of Chenango and Union. 
The village of Union, with a small extent of territory northward, is a 
part of the tract originally granted to Hooper, Wilson and Bingham, 
which is referred to in a later paragraph. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 35 

The Boston Purchase, as it is generally known, has an interesting 
history. In 1787 230,000 acres of it were purchased by eleven resi- 
dents of Berkshire county, Mass., at a cost of twelve and one-half cents 
per acre, and subject to whatever title the Indians might have. The 
original grantees subsequently admitted others to their association un- 
til the number became sixty, but for convenience the conveyance was 
made to "Samuel Brown and his associates." When Brown came to 
the region to treat with the Indians for their title he found two white 
settlers in the valley, through whom he met with considerable trouble. 
These men were Amos Draper and James McMaster, the former of 
whom came into the valley in 1783 and established himself as a trader 
at Chugnutt, the site of the old Indian town at the mouth of the Choco- 
nut, near the present village of Vestal. By trading with the Indians 
Draper had gained their confidence and was a power among them. 

James McMaster was a soldier in Clinton's army, and the expedition 
of 1779 impressed him with a desire to dwell in the Susquehanna val- 
ley. In 1784 he came on a prospecting tour, and at Chugnutt fell in 
with Draper. The two formed a firm friendship, and at the same time so 
ingratiated themselves in the Indian affection that the trusting natives 
were persuaded to make McMaster a concession of land on Owego 
creek. The latter at once began improving his tract, for he was both 
farmer and frontiersman, while Draper was only a trader and tempo- 
rary occupant. 

When Samuel Brown sought to purchase the Indian title he found 
McMaster comfortably located on the site of Owego, and warned him 
off. This, however, did not avail and when the worthy proprietor at- 
tempted to arrange a treaty with the Indians the latter would not be 
persuaded to meet him until a generous concession of land was promised 
to McMaster as "original occupant," first settler, and a great friend to 
the red man. McMaster selected and secured a half-township of 
land (extending three miles up the Susquehanna and six miles up 
Owego creek), including the site whereon now stands the village of 
Owego, after which the Indians consented to a treaty. The first meet- 
ing was held in 1787, on the west bank of the Chenango river, about 
three miles above the city. Nothing was then accomplished on account 
of McMaster's objections above mentioned, but at a subsequent treaty 
held at Ochenang (the city site) the Indians were induced to sign away 
their domain. 

The foregoing statements relative to treaties are somewhat at vari- 



36 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

ance with the narrative contained in the "Annals of Binghamton," and 
are taken chiefly from Judge Avery's admirable sketches of early times 
in the Susquehanna valley. In the Annals, Mr. Wilkinson says the 
commissioners sent by the company to treat with the Indians were Eli- 
jah Brown, Gen. Orringh Stoddard, Gen. Moses Ashley, Capt. Ray- 
mond and Col David Pixley, and that the first meeting with the natives 
was held on the east side of the Chenango, two or three miles above the 
city, in the early part of the winter of 1786; but that nothing was then 
accomplished, and that at an adjourned treaty held at the "Forks of the 
Chenango," the transaction was completed. It is also said that be- 
tween 300 and 400 Indians were present at the occasion. 

The question as to where the treaty was held, or what was then ac- 
complished, is not of special importance to our narrative, but both ver- 
sions are given that all the facts may be known. However, it is cer- 
tainly gratifying to be able to state that at least one treaty was held on 
the site of our city, therefore we are inclined to give much credence to 
Judge Avery's account. 

Bingham's Patent. — Among the several tracts of land which con- 
tribute to the area of the city, that commonly known in published 
records as Bingham's patent is of first importance, for through the 
direct proprietorship of William Bingham, who owned the tract, a set- 
tlement was founded, a half-shire was established, a county seat was 
located, and eventually a thriving village was built up. We have no 
direct authority for the statement that Mr. Bingham ever visited his 
purchase here, but he unquestionably did so, for he was one of the 
shrewd and successful business men of the country, owning and de- 
veloping lands in various localities, and while he could not give close 
attention to each tract he nevertheless exercised constant supervision 
over all of them. He was especially fortunate in selecting Joshua 
Whitney as his agent in this locality, for through the management of 
the latter the settlement was removed from up the river to the "Point," 
and development was begun and carried on with much vigor. 

The greater part of the city stands on Bingham's patent. The tract 
has ever been known by the name just used, yet it is a question whether 
as a matter of strict accuracy such a designation is proper, notwith- 
standing the fact that all public official records recognize and sanction 
the name. On June 27, 1786, a land patent was granted by the state 
to Robert Lettis Hooper, James Wilson and William Bingham for a 
tract of land containing 30,630 acres, lying on both sides of the Sus- 




WILLIAM BINGHAM. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 



37 



quehanna river, and including parts at least of the present towns of 
Union, Vestal, Binghamton, Conklin and Kirkvvood. On February 11, 
1790, the proprietors partitioned their lands among themselves, and the 
deed from Hooper and Wilson to Bingham bears that date. In this di- 
vision the western part of the tract fell to Mr. Wilson, and afterward 



■: K. r,r,: «;• 

■ - / -■■ - 



^1l 



■" .'/ /■ 



i ^y'^'««»l 






Map of Bingham's Patent. 



took the name of " Wilson's patent," although Hooper probably held an 
interest with him for a time. The Bingham tract lay on the eastern 
end of the entire purchase, and, as has been stated, included nearly all 
the land whereon our city now stands. South of the Bingham tract, 
and including portions of the present fifth and sixth wards, is one of 
the Sidney tracts, which was patented to Robert Morris, Dec. 13, 1787. 
The north part of the city, east of the Chenango river, forms a small 
portion of the commonly called Clinton & Melcher Tract, which was 
patented to James Clinton and Isaac Melcher, March 19, 1787. 

William Bingham, in allusion to whom our city is named, was an 
Englishman by birth and a man of much note in business and mercan- 
tile life in Philadelphia. He was an early American colonist, and cei- 
tain accounts state that he served with credit in the American army 
during the Revolution, and earned a commission in the service. How- 
ever, of this part of his life our information is limited. Mr. Bingham 



38 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

was educated for the legal profession, but on coming to America he 
saw promise of greater success in mercantile pursuits, therefore estab- 
lished himself as an importing and domestic merchant in Philadelphia. 
He was successful and accumulated a fortune, and after the close of the 
Revolution, in common with nearly all the men of means in his time, 
could not resist the temptation to invest largely in lands in various 
parts of the country. Here, too, he was abundantly successful, and 
from the Bingham tract alone it is believed he reaped a fortune. He 
was a generous proprietor and made excellent provision for the future 
growth of the village founded under his ownership. 

In this locality Mr. Bingham's agent and active manager was Gen, 
Joshua Whitney, a choice which later events showed to have been the 
best for local interests that could have been made. At that time Che- 
nango Point was a half-shire town of Tioga county, and Mr. Bingham 
promised to donate for the site of a court house and other public build- 
ings a favorably situated tract of land. This, however, was not con- 
summated during his lifetime, and not until after Chenango Point had 
become the county seat of Broome county was this done by his repre- 
sentatives. Mr. Bingham died Jan. 30, 1804, his will naming Alexan- 
der Baring, Henry Baring, Thomas Mayne Willing, Robert Gilmor 
and Charles Willing Hare as his executors. 

After Mr. Bingham's death Gen. Whitney continued to act for the 
estate until all the lands were disposed of, the executors making con- 
veyances according to the direction of the agent. But it appears that 
only two of the executors joined in the conveyances, while the others 
delegated authority by letters of attorney to their energetic fellows to 
act for them. This was said to have been unlawful, on the ground 
that executors could not delegate authority in such cases to their asso- 
ciates, and at one time it was thought that many of the land titles in 
the village would fail, or rest only on the insecure foundation of " title 
by adverse possession"; but with certain enabling acts of the legisla- 
ture, together with commonly recognized validity of the titles, the 
question was of no more than temporary discussion, and it is now con- 
ceded that the foundation of land titles in the city is as firm and valid 
as in any part of the state. 

In treating of land titles and the acquisition of Indian rights to prop- 
erty an interesting incident is recalled in connection with the treaty 
made by Samuel Brown and the natives relative to the Boston Pur- 
chase. It appears that the Indians were accustomed to get ingloriously 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 39 

drunk every night, but during the day invariably kept sober; nor could 
they be persuaded to negotiate their lands while at all under the influ- 
ence of intoxicants. It is not claimed, however, that the commission- 
ers of the Boston proprietary furnished liquor to the Indians in order 
to influence their action or make their own task more easy. In the 
treaty it is said that the Indians reserved the right to hunt and fish on 
the ceded tract for a term of seven years, and also reserved a half 
mile square of land for their use at the mouth of Castle creek. Reliable 
accounts state that the Indians occupied the tract during the full term 
of their reserved privileges, and some of them remained in the vicinity 
many years afterward. As late as 1830 parties of red men were fre- 
quently seen prowling about the village outskirts causing much fright 
among the children of the settlers. 



CHAPTER VI. 



Earliest Settlers in the Vicinity of Binghamton — Rise and Downfall of Chenango 
Village. 

All the writers of cotemporary history accord the honor of having 
been the pioneer settler in the vicinity of Binghamton to Captain Jo- 
seph Leonard, a patriot of the Revolution, who became acquainted 
with the region through the representations of Clinton's men, but who 
was induced to make the settlement through the influence of Amos 
Draper, the Indian trader of Chugnutt. The details of Capt. Leonard's 
journey up the Susquehanna from Pennsylvania in 1787 are not neces- 
sary to our narrative, and it is sufficient to state that the pioneer was 
accompanied by his wife and hired man, the latter propelling the boat 
up the river while Leonard made the trip by land, riding or driving 
his team of horses. On arriving at the mouth of the Chenango, Leon- 
ard made his way up that stream about three miles, and disembarked 
his goods at a favorable site on the rich flat land that stretches away in 
almost every direction in the vicinity of and just above the present 
county farm. 

In this locality, but somewhat lower down, was subsequently estab- 
lished a hamlet called Nimmonsburg, but afterward known by the 



40 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLP:MENT, 

undignified name of " Goosetovvn. " According to Capt. Leonard's 
reminiscences of his journey, when he reached the west bank of the 
Chenango, and had passed up the stream nearly a mile he found a man 
named James L3'on occupying a temporary cabin just south of the pres- 
ent Ferry street bridge and about where stood Col. Paige's potash works 
of half a century and more ago; but as to the character of Lyon's set- 
tlement, of the length of his residence in the community, the writer 
has only obscure light. He lived here for a time, however, and kept a 
ferry across the Chenango, about where the Ferry street bridge is built. 
Lyon was a squatter on Bingham's patent, and with others joined in a 
petition to be quieted in his possessions, but it is really unfortunate 
that so little is known of the pioneer in fact of the city site. 

In Capt. Leonard's family was a son, Amos, who is said to have been 
the first white child born in this county. He lived on the old farm to 
the time of his death, just previous to 1870. 

Soon after his arrival Capt. Leonard, in company with Amos Draper, 
brought the Indians together in council near the Leonard cabin, and 
there secured from them a concession or lease for a term of 99 years, 
which was proposed to carry title to a square mile of land in the locality 
of the settlement. The lessees agreed to pay an annual rental of one 
barrel of corn. At the time it was a common practice in this state for 
companies and individuals to negotiate long leases with the natives, and 
on one occasion an enterprising company of capitalists secured a lease 
of all the Indian lands in the state for a term of 999 years. The sale of 
Indian lands to companies and individuals had been previously forbid- 
den by law, and the long term lease practice was only an evasion. But 
none of these transactions was confirmed by the state, hence the title 
of the lessees failed. So it was with the Leonard and Draper lease, but 
supposing it to be valid. Col. William Rose and his brother, who settled 
just above Leonard within a month after the latter came, purchased 
Draper's interest in the lease bargain. The land thus acquired included 
the sites whereon Leonard and Rose made their improvements. Col. 
Rose's brother soon removed to Lisle and thence to Pennsylvania, but 
the other proprietors held to their lands and lived and died on them. 
After the failure of the title by lease they either bought from the Bos- 
ton Ten Towns proprietary for consideration, or were quieted in their 
possession by Samuel Brown. Notwithstanding the records, the latter 
course is believed to have been followed. 

In 1787 the little settlement up the Chenango was increased by the 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 41 

arrival of Joshua and General William Whitney and Henry Green, all 
of whom with their families came from Hillsdale, Columbia county, and 
settled on the west bank of the river, about two miles from its mouth, 
in a locality which was lon^ afterward known as Whitney's Flats. 

About this time the proprietors of the various tracts or patents had 
completed their preliminary surveys and opened their lands for sale, 
and the result was a rapidly increasing tide of settlers, many of whom 
made purchases and began improvements. Capt. John Sawtell located 
on the east side of the Chenango, on land now owned by Luke Dickson, 
while just north of the city limits, Samuel Harding made an improve- 
ment. One Butler, whose Christian name is not recalled, located on 
the river bank just below Leonard. In the same year also was made 
another settlement on the city site by Solomon Moore and Jesse Thayer, 
the former at the lower end of what is now Washington street, near 
what was afterward known as "The Point," and Thayer on the west 
side of the Chenango, at the foot of Front street. In the same year a 
settlement was made on the south side of the Susquehanna, on what 
for many years has been known as the Eldridge tract, by Peter and 
Thomas Ingersoll, but how long they remained, or what eventually be- 
came of them, is not known. The name figured but little in early vil- 
lage annals and soon became lost in the general growth of the hamlet. 
The surname Moore has ever since been known in local history, and 
has always stood for undoubted integrity and worth. 

Solomon Moore, the pioneer of the family, settled on Chenango Point, 
about on the clearing formerly of the old Indian village of Ochenang, 
near the lower end of what is now Washington street, in 1787. After 
one year he removed to the Genesee country, remaining a year, when 
he returned and purchased land in Union. His title failed through some 
deception practiced on him, after which, on April 7, 1801, he purchased 
of Joshua Whitney as agent for William Bingham a 90 acre tract of land 
on the south side of the Susquehanna, where his later life was passed, 
as also was the life of his son John Moore, who succeeded him in own- 
ership. After John Moore's death the farm was divided, and is now 
owned, in part at least, by Charles F. and John P. Moore and Lewis 
Baird. 

One of the very earlie'st occupants of land in this part of the Che- 
nango valley, according to reliable chronicles of early life in the region, 
was one Cole, whose place of habitation was north of Capt. Leonard's 
and Col. Rose's. Cole, whose Christian name seems not to have been 



43 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

worthy of preservation, lived practically among the Indians, and kept 
aloof as much as possible from the whites. If local tradition be true 
Cole was a renegade white man, an Englishman by birth, who cast his 
lot with the British and Indians during the Revolution, and is said to 
have led the latter in the attack upon the frontier settlements at Min- 
nisink and W3^oming, where charges of almost inhuman cruelties were 
laid against him. Soon after the war Cole sought a home in some ob- 
scure place where his only companions were red men. But he could 
not always conceal his abode and identity, and on one occasion two 
strangers came up the river from Minnisink for the avowed purpose of 
avenging the murder of their parents by Cole. They met with Col. 
Rose and Joshua Whitney, to whom they told their story, but were 
persuaded from their purpose by these worthy settlers, who represented 
to the strangers that Cole was then living peaceably in the valley, and 
that he had a family who were entirely respectable. 

Another similar character in the young community was one Thomas 
Hill, commonly called "Tom Hill," who was charged with complicity 
in the vVyoming affair, and who was said to have married the noted 
Queen Esther. During his lifetime, Hill informed Squire Park that 
he lived with the queen about two years, but that they never were mar- 
ried. 

Referring still further to the subject of early settlement in the local- 
ity, we may state that in 1788 Samuel Harding located on the after- 
ward known Sturges Cary place in the north part of the city, and while 
still others may have come during the same year past records give no 
information concerning them. In the next year Daniel Hudson (after- 
ward Judge Hudson) settled between Leonard and Rose, and about the 
same time Jonathan Fitch came from Wyoming and settled on the 
stream which afterward took his name. Major Fitch had been a mer- 
chant, and also sheriff, in his former county in Pennsylvania, and in the 
new community was a man of considerable importance. He was the 
first elected member of assembly from Tioga county (which then in-' 
eluded this county) in 1792. 

Another early comer was Elder Howe, a Baptist preacher, who first 
visited the settlement in 1789, and through whose efforts the scattered 
inhabitants were first drawn together in religious worship, and through 
whose almost unaided labors an informal church society was formed. 
Elder Howe located near the foot of Mt. Prospect, within the present 
limits of the city, and there his little primitive meetinghouse was built. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 43 



As a matter of historic interest it may be stated that the society was 
continued until about 1800, and was the first of its kind in this locality 
and one of the first in southern or western New York. In 1798 a 
Dutch Reformed society was formed at the little hamlet further up the 
river through the zeal of Rev. Mr. Finney, but this, too, had only a 
brief existence. 

Chenango Village. — Through the several settlements mentioned in 
preceding paragraphs the hamlet up the Chenango became established, 
but it is hardly probable that pioneers Leonard, Rose and Whitney had 
in mind the fouading of a village at that time. The location was per- 
haps the mo.st desirable, as through the Chenango valley west of the 
river led one of the principal trails between the lower Susquehanna 
valley and the interior portions of the state, and was the common thor- 
oughfare of travel for prospectors and immigrants visiting the region, 
as well as for the Indians before them. Tioga on the west was settled 
chiefly by New Englanders and others from New York and New Jersey, 
and the valleys of the Chenango and Susquehanna were the main ave- 
nues of travel through the region whether the pioneers traveled by land 
or water. The country north of us was settled about the same time, 
and many of its pioneers were from the regions of Pennsylvania and 
New Jersey; and in the same manner the old Indian trails and the 
water courses were the only convenient routes of travel thereto. Indeed 
after the question of land titles was fully settled, and the proprietors 
of the various patents had opened their lands for sale, the enterprising 
agent of each tract was active in his endeavors to induce purchasers to 
visit the region, and much rivalry sprung up between them. As a result 
the locality was constantly flooded with prospectors, speculators and 

settlers. 

Looking back an hundred years, it seems almost incredible that the 
primitive Indian trails which threaded the valleys of our rivers were 
the common and in fact the only avenues of travel into the region, or 
that they were almost constantly swarmed with a stream of sturdy men 
in quest of favorable sites and cheap lands, but such was the fact. It 
is small wonder therefore that pioneer Sawtell opened his first tavern 
near the place where the trail crossed the Chenango and "forked" to 
the north and east; and it is clear that a hamlet settlement on the op 
posite side of the river must follow when the principal trails up the 
river led past the Whitney, Leonard and Rose places, and every sur- 
rounding condition pointed to the necessity of a temporary restmg place 



44 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

for the weary wayfarer. In the course of a few years the trails lost 
much of their original character, as the frequent passage of horse and 
ox teams necessitated cutting out and widening the roads to permit 
easy travel for wagons and carts. 

These things, with the continuous tide of travel up and down the 
valley, led to the founding of the old village; but at best it was hardly 
more than a mere hamlet of about a dozen houses. It began to take 
form about 1791 or '92, after Elder Howe had succeeded in erecting the 
primitive meeting house, and after Col. Rose had built a little log school 
house nearby. About this time Lewis Keeler came from Norwalk, 
Conn., and opened a public house and also made hats; Daniel Cruger 
founded a newspaper to proclaim the advantages of the locality through- 
out the land, but he remained only a short time and removed to Bath 
under the tempting offers of the agent of the Pultney estate. To add 
to early interests, two settlers named Lee and Webster started a distil- 
lery; Drs. Bartholomew and Forbes came to practice their profession, 
while settlers Delano and Monroe opened a stock of goods for trade. 
Soon afterward Jacob McKinney came up the river and began general 
merchandising. The interests thus mentioned gave the hamlet an ap- 
pearance of some importance, and with the few other settlers engaged in 
developing the land the locality was the scene of considerable activity. 
Col. Isaac Sayres and Selah Squires were at this time residents of the 
settlement, and the latter was afterward a citizen and one of the 
founders of Chenango Point. 

During the closing years of the last century Chenango village held a 
position of prominence among the new settlements of the region, and 
came to be known by the name just mentioned. This prominence was 
only temporary, and when in 1800 Joshua Whitney became agent for the 
sale of lands on Bingham's patent, he had no difficulty in drawing the 
business interests, with much of the population, to the new locality. 
Thereafter Chenango village lapsed into a sleepy hamlet in a fertile 
agricultural region. A tavern and perhaps one or two other interests 
were maintained there for a time, but at a later period the settlement 
took the name of Nimmonsburg, in allusion to one of its prominent 
families, but afterward, in derision, became known as "Goosetown"; but 
now, either as hamlet or village, it exists only as a memory. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 46 



CHAPTER VII. 
COUNTY ORGANIZATION AND CIVIL HISTORY— CIVIL LIST. 

In the chapters immediately preceding mention is made of the settle- 
ment of the region comprising the city and its vicinity, with not more 
than incidental allusion to either the county or the village. It is 
therefore proper that succeeding chapters be devoted specially to the 
civil and political organization of the districts mentioned, together with 
a description of the various county and city public properties, which 
have in themselves formed an important element of history in the lat- 
ter jurisdiction and have been strong contributing factors in its gen- 
eral growth and prosperity. 

When Clinton's army first visited this part of the Susquehanna val- 
ley in the summer of 1779 there was no civilized occupancy of the 
region, hence there was no need for the attempted exercise of civil 
authority in the locality. At that time all that part of the state which 
lay west of the Delaware river and a line extending thence north 
through Schoharie county and along the east border of Montgomery, 
Fulton and Hamilton counties (as now existing) and thence direct to 
Canada, comprised a single county by the name of Tryon; so created, 
set off and organized from Albany county by an act of the provincial 
legislature passed in 1772. The new jurisdiction was named in honor 
of William Tryon, who was then governor of the province of New York, 
and through the influence of Sir William Johnson the seat of justice 
was established and the county buildings were erected at Johnstown. 
During the Revolutionary war the conduct of Gov. Tryon was so offen- 
sive to the Americans that in 1784 the name of the county was changed 
to Montgomery, and so called in allusion to Richard Montgomery, a 
patriotic American general who fell before the walls of Quebec. In 
1788 the boundaries of the counties then existing in the state were ac- 
curately defined and Montgomery county was made to include all the 
territory of the state west of Ulster, Albany, Washington and Clinton 
counties. 

The first reduction in the territory of the mother county was made 



46 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

in 1789, when Ontario county was set off. On February 16, 1791, old 
Montgomery was again reduced by the creation of four new counties, 
and Hamilton, Herkimer, Otsego and Tioga counties were brought 
into existence. Under the act Tioga county included substantially all 
the territory between the pre-emption line on the west (the present 
west boundary of Chemung county) and the Delaware river on the east, 
and extended north from the Pennsylvania line to include a part of the 
military tract. The first reduction in the territory of Tioga county 
was made in 1798, when Chenango county was created; second in 1806, 
when Broome county was set off ; third, in 1822, when Tompkins county 
was erected; and fourth, in 1836, when Chemung took from Tioga its 
entire western district. 

From what has been stated the reader will learn that all settlement and 
development in the region of Binghamton previous to 1806 was accom- 
plished while the territory formed a part of Tioga county. In preced- 
ing chapters frequent mention is made of the towns of Union and Che- 
nango. They were original subdivisions of Tioga county, and were 
created with the latter, February 16, 1791. Union, within its original 
boundaries, included all the land between Owego creek and the Che- 
nango river, together with all lands south of the Susquehanna river be- 
tween the streams first mentioned. Chenango included nearly all the 
eastern portion of Tioga county which lay east of Chenango river, and 
has contributed its territory to the subsequently created towns of Wind- 
sor (1807), Conklin (1824), Binghamton (1855), and Port Crane, now 
Fenton (1855). The village and city of Binghamton includes portions 
of the original towns of Union and Chenango. Its settlement was be- 
gun in Chenango, and as the hamlet increased in population and com- 
mercial importance development west of the Chenango was a natural 
result. In the same manner that part of the city which lies south of 
the Susquehanna, while originally a part of Chenango, was taken into 
the corporate limits of the town of Binghamton, the latter having been 
created from the former in 1855, as has been stated. 

Court Houses. — After Tioga county had been created by the Legisla- 
ture there immediately sprung up in its sparsely settled territory a 
strong desire to possess the county buildings, and considerable rivalry 
and a little bad feeling was the result. The inhabitants of the extreme 
western part of the county were at once clamorous for the coveted des- 
ignation, and in their little settlement called New Town Point (now 
Elmira) they set to work and built a log court house and jail. (In this 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 47 

connection the writer cannot resist the temptation to remark, paren- 
thetically, that the same earnest interest which impelled the few inhab- 
itants of New Town Point to generously erect a court house and jail 
more than a century ago has characterized each succeeding generation 
of their descendants to the present time. In some respects Elmiraand 
Binghamton have been rival cities, but it must be conceded that the 
people of the Queen City have ever been devotedly loyal to home inter- 
ests and home progress.) 

In 1792 the legislature passed an act authorizing the supervisors to 
levy a tax of 300 pounds for the purpose of erecting a court house and 
jail, and appointed three commissioners to superintend the construc- 
tion of the same. The act directed, however, that the buildings be 
erected east of Nanticoke creek, at a point to be fixed by the justices 
and supervisors. In the meantime courts were ordered to be held at 
the house of pioneer Nehemiah Spaulding (situated east of Nanticoke 
creek). The dwelling house of pioneer Spaulding was at that time 
reasonably near the center of the inhabited portion of the county, and 
the erection of the county buildings in that vicinity was of course 
proper; but before the justices and supervisors had fixed upon a loca- 
tion the enterprising inhabitants of New Town Point had completed 
their county buildings, and even secured an act of the legislature 
(January 14, 1793) designating their settlement as the seat of justice of 
the county until other legislative provision should be made. At the 
same time the legislature directed that courts be held alternately at 
New Town Point and at the house of Joshua Whitney, at Chenango, in 
the town of Union. 

This disposition of the courts was maintained until 1801, when (March 
31) the legislature authorized the division of the county into jury dis- 
tricts and directed that circuits be thereafter held at the house of Joshua 
Whitney, at Chenango Point, in the town of Chenango. Under this 
act courts in this district were held in General Whitney's dwelling, which 
then stood very near the northwest corner of Court and Water streets, 
and were so continued until the erection of the first court house on the 
site of the present Perry building, at the corner of Court and Chenango 
streets. 

The first court house in Binghamton was built in 1802, when this 
region formed a part of Tioga county, and when the village was known 
as Chenango Point. The court house was a small structure, 24 x 36 
feet in size, with a log jail attachment, the latter having only two cells for 



48 



BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 



the confinement of prisoners. The jailer occupied rooms on the first floor 
and courts were held on the floor above. In the course of a few years, 
and soon after Broome county was set oiT from Tioga, the building was 
moved across to the square and placed on land previously promised by 




siwi ■ ! inreif STiB 
eiBii \ttst; i<iitt 
iw sras v. ina ^1= 






:Em)'Q)m3 ^^o^wt'^ €'OwmjT m^'^m^. 



Second County Coukt House. 



William Bingham to be donated for public purposes. It stood near the 
northwest corner of the square as now laid out, but at that time Collier 
street had not been opened. The building was somewhat crude though 
substantially constructed, and was sufficient for its time and the needs 
of the county; and within its humble and unpretentious walls were as- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 49 

sembled on court occasions some of the strongest legal lights in this 
part of the state, among whom were Judge Stuart, Daniel Le Roy, 
Mason Whiting, William Low, Judge De Hart, Daniel Rogers, John 
A. Collier, George Park, Thomas G. Waterman and a host of others 
of far more than ordinary prominence in early county history, whose 
names were almost household words and whose fame was known 
throughout this section of the state. Crude and unpretentious as the 
first court house may have been, it was none the less the home of 
learning and distinguished legal ability during the period of existence. 
At length, however, the constantly increasing business of the courts, 
the growth of the county and the strong contingent of members of the 
bar who flocked to the county seat, necessitated the erection of a larger 
and more suitably appointed court house, but it was not until the years 
1828-29 that the desired end was accomplished. For the purposes of 
the new building the supervisors was authorized to raise by tax the sum 
of $5,00), and Dr. Ammi Doubleday, Grover Buel and George Wheeler 
were appointed to superintend the work of construction. After some 
delay the building was completed, but its cost was in excess of the orig- 
inal appropriation. 

The second Broome county court house was a brick structure and 
combined the essential elements of both court house and jail. Its ex- 
terior was plain, with very little attempt at architectural display. The 
basement was used for prisoners' cells and also for cellar purposes by 
the sheriff or jailer. The cells were arranged along the south side of 
the basement. The jailer occupied about all the floor space of the first 
story, but the entire upper floor was used for court and jury rooms. 
This building, like its predecessor, stood quite near Court street, and 
about half way between Exchange and Collier streets. The entrance 
was on the west side and was elevated several steps above the ground. 
While the second court house was not one of' the pioneer institutions of 
the village it was one of great importance in its time, and many of the 
lawyers who had achieved legal victories in the old building were like- 
wise expounders of law and facts in the new, and the more ample sur- 
roundings of the greater house of justice seemed to inspire firmer logic 
and finer rhetoric in their clients' behalf, and the passers-by on the 
public streets were not infrequently impelled to stop and listen to the ora- 
tory of a Dickinson, a Robinson, a Collier, a Bosworth, a Rugg, a Loomis, 
a Birdsall, or perhaps any other of the score or more of worthy legal 
lights who were in the professional ranks between 1830 and 1855. The 
4 



50 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

second court house withstood the elements from without and the elo- 
quence of lawyers within for a period of about thirty years, when the 
constant march of improvement created a demand for still a more com- 
modious and modern building. 

At last the supervisors were persuaded to favorably consider the 
proposition and consented to a complete separation of the court house 
and jail buildings. Previous to this time the county buildings had been 
erected on the square without reference to street lines or grade. In- 
deed, at the time they were erected only Court and Chenango streets 
were laid out, and neither Collier, Exchange nor Hawley streets were 
then contemplated. The reader of course understands that during the 
early history of the village the surface of the square was greatly ele- 
vated above its present level, and that Court street from Commercial 
avenue to Phelps building was laid out " up a hill," while on the east 
side, above Exchange street, was a considerable depression in the land 
surface. Old residents of Binghamton remember the " hollow " east of 
the square, traces of which may still be seen in rear of the buildings east 
of the Hagaman corner. As years passed and the village increased in 
size and importance the trustees caused Court street to be cut down, 
and Warring S. Weed is of the belief that this was done not less than 
three times. In the meantime Collier and Exchange streets had been 
laid out to conform with the Court street grade. Therefore when the 
supervisors consented to erect the third court house the square was 
considerably above its bordering thoroughfares. 

The supervisors' committee wisely decided to erect the new court 
house at a suitable height above Court street, yet somewhat lower than 
the crown of the hill, hence the contractor was required to remove the 
earth to a considerable depth before excavating for the cellar proper of 
the building. This arrangement placed the new court house for a time 
" in a hole," but the awkward condition did not long remain as the 
surrounding bluffs were soon removed and the sand (the entire hill 
was a sandbank) was utilized in the erection of dozens of buildings in 
the village. 

The third Broome county court house was erected in 1857 by John 
Stuart Wells, a native of the county and one of the most progressive 
factors in its history. The building cost $32,000 and was one of the 
most substantial and attractive structures of its kind in Southern New 
York. It was of brick with stone trimmings, two stories high, and 
was surmounted with a circular dome, which with its cupola and figure 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 



51 



of justice reached the height of 120 feet. In size the building was 
58 X 96 feet, but in 1890 the supervisors contracted with Alexander B. 
Carman for the ereccion of an addition on the east and west ends, by 
which the length was increased 40 feet. This work cost $19,000, but 
its benefits were numerous. Between 1857 and 1890 the population of 




TiiiRD County Court House. 



om t„«unty 
Clerk's Office. 



the county had more than doubled, and the increase in its business was 
in like proportion. Previous to the enlargement, the Supreme court 
justice had chambers in the library, but no privacy whatever. The 
supervisors' room was too small, as were all others on the ground floor, 
and was put to a variety of uses. The county judge and surrogate's 
quarters were cramped and the accumulation of records and valuable 
papers had no safe depository. During Judge Edwards' term a fire 



52 



BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 



Started in the basement, and many active men worked vigorously in re- 
moving papers from the office. 

When contractor Carman's work was completed the enlarged build- 
ing was a great convenience to the county officials as was Colonel 
Wells' handsome structure of 1857. Judge Martin was provided with 
comfortable offices; the library was placed in the east end of the build- 




CouRT House Square, 1880. 



ing; the surrogate was given a comfortable court room; several jury 
rooms were provided on the second floor, and the supervisors were fur- 
nished with large quarters at the west end of the upper floor. But the 
court house of 1857-96 at length passed into history It was burned 
December 28, 1896, at a time when the county and city were least pre- 
pared for such a disaster. The Firemen's hall had been recently con- 
demned as unsafe, and the city clerk and common council, by favor of 
the supervisors, were furnished with office in the court house ; but the 
flames spared little of the property of either city or county, and many 
valuable records were destroyed. The Supreme court library, compris- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 



5^ 



ing- one of the finest collections of law works in the state, was seriously 
damaged. 

While the loss of the court house and a portion of its contents was 
indeed serious, the heaviest burden of the event fell upon the country 
members of the board of supervisors. They had recently (after much 
pleading and begging by the city; after condemnation by several grand 




Court House, 1897-98. 

juries, and after intercession by several Supreme court and county 
judges) unloosed the knotty county purse strings to the extent of about 
$50,000 for a new jail, hence the enforced expenditure of a still greater 
sum for a new modern and perhaps costly court house wellnigh drove 
a few of them to distraction; but the majority manfully responded to 
the requirements of the occasion and voted for a new building. 

The fourth and present Broome county court house was erected in 
1897-98 by contractor Miles Leonard, of Binghamton, at a total cost, 
including furnishing and ground improvements, of about $130,000. It 



54 BlNGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Stands upon the lines and in part upon the foundation of its predecessor, 
but in appearance and finish is materiall}^ difEerent. The building is of 
Ohio sandstone, with bluestone trimmings, while the dome is of copper. 
The entire structure, both in architectural design and mechanical ex- 
ecution, is almost a work of art and reflects credit upon all who were 
connected with its erection; and that notwithstanding the fact that the 
supervisors were made subject to the grand inquisition of the county 
under charges varying from indiscretion to felony. But the charges 
were evidently not well founded and no stigma has ever attached to 
any official by reason of his connection with the events of the time. 

At distant view the new court house has much the appearance of the 
Old, but close inspection discloses marked differences. The new portico 
is much wider; the columns are solid stone with capitals beautifully 
carved in a blending of the ionic and doric styles. In the gable above 
the columns is the seal of Broome county, artistically carved in solid 
stone. One of the most noticeable and praiseworthy features of the 
whole structure is the clock in the formerly tenantless dome. It was 
the voluntary and generous gift of Harvey Westcott. 

The interior arrangement of the building is admirable, and every 
office and apartment suggests convenience, comfort and safety. Fur- 
ther description and comment are unnecessary; the court house stands 
as an honor to the county and an ornament to the city, and the boards 
of supervisors of 1896, '97 and '98 are entitled to the enduring gratitude 
of all our people. 

County Clerk, s Offices. — The first clerk's office is said to have occupied 
a site near the court house on the northwest corner of Court and Che- 
nango streets. It is also said to have been a small building, about 12 
X 14 feet in size. Some doubt has been expressed as to the real char- 
acter of this building and whether such in fact did exist. During 
nearly all the years in which the court house was maintained on its 
original site Chenango was a half-shire town of Tioga county, but for 
public convenience the legislature in 1804 directed the county clerk to 
keep his office within three miles of Ovvego village. After Broome 
county was set off and the court house had been removed to the square, 
a county clerk's office was built on the south side of Court street a few 
rods east of the corner of Washington street. It was kept there until 
1829 when the records were removed to the new brick building which 
stood between the present court house site and Collier street. The 
Court street property was then sold by commissioners Ammi Doubleday 
and Samuel Smith to John A. Collier. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 66 

The county clerk's office on the square is well remembered by all 
old residents in Binghamton. It was a plain brick building", one story 
high, and was constructed with especial reference to security against fire. 
It was well lighted and each window was provided with iron shutters. 
It was built under the direction of Dr. Doubleday and Samuel Smith. 
The office was occupied from 1829 to 1872, and was vacated upon the 
completion of the present clerk's office in the latter year. This build- 
ing stands on the site for many years occupied by the old Binghamton 
academy. 

County Jails. — The first and second county jails were in combination 
with the first two court houses, of which a full description is given in 
this chapter. After Col. Wells had completed the court house in 1857 
the proposed removal of the old building necessitated the erection of a 
new jail. In fact the county had then outgrown the old "prison," and 
the supervisors made the appropriation with which the new sheriff's 
residence and jail was built in 1858. It was substantially constructed 
and did good service for nearly two score years, during which time it 
was the temporary abiding place of a few noted criminals (the number, 
to be sure, was not large, for our county has never been able to boast 
a long and distinguished criminal roster). Edward H. Ruloff, who 
murdered young Myrick in Halbert Bros.' store in 1870, was perhaps 
the most noted prisoner ever confined in the jail. He was hanged in 
the jail yard in 1871, and so widespread was his notoriety in the annals 
of crime that the whole state felt a degree of relief when Under-sheriff 
Edmister completed his unpleasant duty. Menkin, too, was a prisoner 
in the old jail and through a very cunning device succeeded in making 
his escape. He was recaptured, however, though at much cost to Sher- 
iff Brown. Menkin was tried and convicted in this county, and was 
hanged in the jail yard, although his crime was committed in Chemung 
county. His trial came to Binghamton as a quasi legacy from Elmira. 

The old jail had an interesting history and a chapter might be de- 
voted to the subject. It served the purposes of the county about thirty 
years, from 1858 to about 1888, but in the meantime our population had 
so increased that a new, larger and better appointed structure became 
desirable. The building by reason of its unsanitary condition had become 
an actual menace to health and the grand jury frequently recommended 
a new one, but the rural members of the board of supervisors refused 
to support the measure ; and the stronger the appeals of the city mem- 
bers of the board even more determined became the opposition of their 



56 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

country associates. At last, however, the condition of the jail became 
such that the board was compelled to act to save themselves from the 
grand jury, and they voted an appropriation of $50,000 for a new sher- 
iff's residence and jail combined. The buildings were erected in 1896 
by contractor Miles Leonard, at a total cost, including interior cell 
work, of $51,000, and are as complete in every respect as modern arch- 
itecture and sanitary science can make them. But this long-sought end 
was not attained without the now customary charges of collusion and 
fraud, involving within their sweeping range supervisors, architects 
and contractors alike. In fact, here originated charges of corruption 
that took deeper root in the new court house proceedings and finally 
resulted in the ill-timed action of the grand jury. The whole matter, 
however, was given an effectual quietus in Judge Arms' prompt dismissal 
of the indictments. 

The Court House Square. — In several preceding chapters frequent 
allusion has been made to the public square on which stands our county 
buildings, yet earlier writers of local history have given no attention to 
this interesting property. The original tract comprised a little more 
than four acres and was deeded to the county for a nominal consider- 
ation; the entire tract is now estimated to be worth nearly a million 
dollars. 

When Chenango was made a half-shire town of Tioga county William 
Bingham promised to donate to the public an ample plot of ground for 
county buildings, but during his lifetime the deed was not executed. 
The worthy proprietor died in 1804, and on April 23, 1808, his executors 
conveyed to the county through its supervisors (Daniel Le Roy, Daniel 
A. Wheeler, Chester Lusk, George A. Harper, Stephen Mack and John 
Brown) four and one half acres of land, comprising the present square 
with the addition of portions of Collier and Hawley streets, and except- 
ing a strip off the Exchange street side and a part of the Hawley street 
side. It appears that a strip of land on the east and south sides was 
not included in the original tract, and title thereto was not acquired by 
the county until about 1872. Any person whose memory of Bingham- 
ton dates back forty years will remember Fountain Hose and Cataract 
Engine companies' houses which stood fronting on Court street at the 
northeast corner of the square. Next south of these buildings was an 
open space occupied chiefly as a yard in connection with Job N. Cong- 
don's marble works, the shop standing about opposite the south end of 
the Pope building. Still further south on Exchange street, and about 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 67 

in the order mentioned, were a barn, Jackson's blacksmith shop, Mor- 
decai Loveland's wagon shop, the old Universalist church (eventually 
burned), Hezekiah P. Brown's residence, and Dennis O'Day's black- 
smith shop and dwelling- house, and John Waterhouse's residence, the 
latter being on the corner of Hawley street. It is not understood that 
the firemen's quarters were held under title, but merely occupied a site 
on the square. In December, 1871, and the early part of 1872, Job N. 
Congdon, Hezekiah P. Brown, Mordecai H. Loveland, Dennis O'Day 
and Elizabeth L. W. Bowker, owners of the land just described, ex- 
ecuted deeds to the county, thus vesting title in the grantee to the en- 
tire square. The buildings were soon removed and, as the board of 
supervisors has subsequently felt disposed to make small appropriations 
for the purpose, the tract has been improved and adorned, and is now 
one of the largest and most attractive court house grounds in the state. 
As far as possible the old shade trees have been preserved, but much 
of the credit for later improvement of this character has been due to 
public spirited officials and citizens. The drinking fountain was the 
gift of George A. Kent. The soldiers' monument was erected by James 
H. Barnes, contractor, the funds therefor having been raised from 
various sources. 

THE COUNTY CIVIL LIST. 

Notwithstanding the fact that this work is proposed to be devoted 
chiefly to the history of Binghamton and its immediate vicinity, it is 
thought proper in the present connection to furnish a complete county 
civil list that the succession of officials may be preserved in full chrono- 
logical order. It will be seen, however, that the village and city have 
furnished a majority of the incumbents of public office, and that many of 
them have attained to positions of distinguished prominence in national, 
state and county government. 

Presidential Electors. — Chester Patterson, 1824; John Hyde, 1832; 
Daniel S. Dickinson (at large), 1844; John A. Collier, (at large), 1848; 
Sherman D. Phelps, 1860; Benjamin N. Loomis, 1868; Barna R. John- 
son, 1873; Alvin Devereau, 1884; Patrick J. McTighe, 1892; Charles 
M. Dickinson, 1896. 

Senators in Congress. — Daniel S. Dickinson, Nov. 30, 1844-Mar. 4, 
1851. 

Representatives in Congress. — John Patterson (8th),' 1803-5; John R. 

1 The figures in parenthesis indicate the sessions of congress. 



58 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Drake (loth), 1817-19; Elias Whittemore (19th), 1825-27; John A. 
Collier (22d), 1831-33; William Seymour (24th), 1835-37; Judson Allen 
(26th), 1839-41; Ausburn Birdsall (30th), 1847-49; Giles W. Hotchkiss 
(38th), 1863-65; Giles W. Hotckiss(39th), 1865-67; Giles W. Hotchkiss 
(41st), 1869-71; Stephen C. Millard (48th), 1883-85; Stephen C. Millard 
(49th), 1885-87. 

Solicitor General of the United States. — Orlow W. Chapman, ap- 
pointed May 29, 1889. 

Commissioner Circuit Courts of United States. — Charles S. Hall, ap- 
pointed Dec. 13, 1856. 

United States Commissioner. — Charles S. Hall, appointed July 1, 
1898. 

Master and Examiner in Cha7icery, U. S. Courts. — Charles S. Hall, 
appointed Nov., 1879. 

Minister Plenipotentiary to Norway and Sweden. — Joseph J. Bartlett, 
March 19, 1867. 

United States Consul General to Constantinople. — Charles M. Dickin- 
son, September, 1897. 

United States Attorney., Southern Dist. of N. Y. — Daniel S. Dickin- 
son, April 10, 1865. 

Members of State Constitutional Conventions. — Charles Pumpelly, 
182L; John Hyde, 1846; Dr. Stephen D. Hand, 1867; George F. Lyon, 
1894. 

Member of Constitutional Commission. — -Barna R. Johnson, 1867. 

Lieutenant Governors. — Daniel S. Dickinson, 1842; ' John C. Robin- 
son, 1872; Edward F. Jones, 1885; re elected, 1888. 

Comptroller. — John A. Collier, appointed Jan. 27, 1811. 

Attorney General. — Daniel S. Dickinson, Nov. 5, 1861. 

Collector Port of Neiv York. — Daniel S. Dickinson, appointed March 
30, 1853. 

Naval Officer of Customs. — Ausburn Birdsall, appointed Feb. 15, 
1858. 

Deputy Collectors Fort of New York. — John R Dickinson, Charles 
Davis . 

Warden Sing Sing States Prison. — Charles Davis, appointed March 
1, 1878. 

Superintendent Insurance Department. — Orlow W. Chapman, ap- 
pointed Nov. 22, 1872, resigned Jan. 31, 1876. 

• Date of election unless otherwise stated. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 59 

Railroad Comviissioner. — George W. Dunn, appointed Feb. 16, 1897. 
Cominissiuner of State Capitol.— IssL^iC G. Perry, April 5, 1883-Jan., 

1899. 

State Board of Pharmacy.— Q\2.x\ Z. Otis, appointed July 8, 1884. 
Associate Judge of the Court of Appeals.— CeXor^ E. Martin, elected 

Nov. 5, 1895. 
Justice of Supreme Court Sitting in Court of Appeals.— K^nsom Bal- 

com, appointed Jan., 1863. 

Justice of General Term of Supreme Court.— CcXorsi E. Martin, ap- 
pointed Nov. 23, 1887. 

Justices of the Supreme Court.— V.^ns.om Balcom, Nov. G, 1855, re- 
elected Nov. 3, 1863; Celora E. Martin, Nov. 6, 1877, re-elected Nov., 
1891; George F. Lyon, Nov. 5, 1895. 

State Senators.— Thomsis G. Waterman, 1827-30; Daniel S. Dickin- 
son, 1837-40; Samuel H. P. Hall, 1848-49; Levi Dimmick, 1850-51; 
Orlow W. Chapman, 1868-71; Peter W. Hopkins, 1878— died at Albany 
February 7, 1879; Edwin G. Halbert, March 25, 1879-81; Edmund 
O'Connor, 1880, re-elected, 1891 and 1893. 

Members of Assembly.— ]ohn Miller, representing Broome and Tioga 
counties, 1807; Emanuel Coryell, the same in 1808; Eleazer Dana, Nov. 
session, 1808, and Jan.-March, 1809; James Pumpelly, 1810; no returns 
in 1811; Chauncey Hyde, 1812-13; John H. Avery, Jan. -April, 1814; 
Asa Leonard, Sept., 1814-Jan.-Apr., 1815; Mason Whitmg, Jan.- 
April, 1816; Joshua Whitney, Nov., 1816— Jan.-Apr., 1817; John W. 
Harper, 1818; Chester Patterson, 1819-21; Chauncey Hyde, 1822; Jon- 
athan Lewis 1823; Thomas G. Waterman, 1824; Briant Stoddard, 1825; 
Peter Robinson, 1826-31; Vincent Whitney, 1832-33; David C. Case, 
1834- Neri Blatchley, 1835; Judson Allen, 1836-37; James Stoddard, 
1838- John Stoughton, 1839; Cornelius Mercereau, 1840; Gideon Hotch- 
kiss 1841- RobertHarper, 1842; Gilbert Dickinson, 1843; John B. Rog- 
ers 'l844-' Cyrus Johnson, 1845; Salfronius H. French, 1846; Oliver C. 
Crocker, '1847; Jeremiah Hull, 1848; John Q. Whittaker, 1849: Edward 
Y Park 1850- Roger W. Hinds, 1851; William L. Ford, 1852; Joseph 
E Ely 1853; Robert Harper, 1854; Charles McKinney, 1855; Walter 
l' Peck 1856; Enos Puffer, 1857; John S. Palmer, 1858; Osborne E. 
Bump, 1859; Henry Mather, 1860; Friend H. Burt, 1861 ; (George Bart- 
lett 1862; Francis B. Smith, 1863; Mulford Northrup, 1864; Edward C. 
Mercereau, 1865; Milo B. Eldridge, 1866; James VanValkenburg, 1867; 
Chauncev C. Bennett, 1868; William M. Ely, 1869-72; William L. Ford, 



60 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

elected March 5, 1872, vice Ely, deceased; William L. Ford, 1873; 
George Sherwood, 1874-75; Rodney A.Ford, 1876; Edwin C. Moody, 
1877; Alexander E. Andrews, 1878; Henry Marean, 1879; Alex. E.An- 
drews, 1880; L. Coe Young, 1881; Francis B. Smith, 1882; Lewis Ches- 
ter Bartlett, 1883; Rev. William H. Olin, 1884-85; Isaac C. Edson, 1886- 
87; AlonzoD. Lewis, 1888; Israel T. Deyo, 1889-92; Joseph H. Brow- 
nell, 1893-94; Joseph H. Brownell, first dist., Chas. F. Tupper, second 
dist., 1895; Chas. E. Fuller, first dist., Chas. F. Tupper, second dist., 
1896; Chas. E. Fuller, first dist., Edgar L. Vincent, second dist, 1897; 
James T. Rogers, first dist., Edgar L. Vincent, second dist., 1898. 

County Judges. — Previous to the constitution of 1846 this office was 
known as first judge of the Court of Common Pleas. Under the con- 
stitution a county court was organized in each county of the state, ex- 
cept New York, and provision was made for the election of a judge in 
each. The following succession gives t le date of appointment of each 
first judge of the Common Pleas and date of election of the subsequent 
county judges: John Patterson, April 2, 1806; Daniel Hudson, March 
2, 1809; James Stoddard, May 31, 1809; Stephen Mack, Nov. 9, 1812; 
John R. Drake, April 8, 1815; Tracy Robinson, Jan. 31, 1823; William 
Seymour, April 12, 1833; Edward C. Kattell, June, 1847; John R. Dick- 
inson, Nov., 1851; Horace S. Griswold, Nov., 1855; Benjamin N. 
Loomis, appointed Aug. 18, 1870, vice Griswold, deceased; William B. 
Edwards, Nov., 1870; Taylor L. Arms, Nov., 1888, re-elected Nov., 
1894. 

Surrogates. — Eleazer Dana, April 3, 1806; Peter Robinson, Feb. 12, 
1821; George Park, March 27, 1823; Joseph K. Rugg, Feb. 12, 1836; 
Hamilton Collier, Feb. 19, 1840; John R. Dickinson, Feb. 19, 1844; 
county judge since June, 1847. 

District Attorneys. — This office was originally known as assistant at- 
torney-general. The office of district attorney was created in 1801. 
Each county was made a separate district in 1818. The office was ap- 
pointive previous to the constitution of 1846. Judge William Stuart, 
so well known in early Binghamton history, was assistant attorney-gen- 
eral of Tioga county from 1786 to 1802. Under the act of 1801 the 
seventh district comprised the counties of Cayuga, Onondaga, Ontario, 
Steuben and Tioga, the latter including what is now this county. The 
thirteenth district was formed April 15, 1817, and comprised Broome, 
Cortland, Seneca and Tompkins counties. The incumbents of the office 
of assistant attorney-general and district attorney in this county since 
1818 have been as follows: 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 61 

John A. Collier, June 11, 1818; Thomas G. Waterman, Feb. 25, 1822; 
Mason Whiting, April 10, L823; Peter Robinson, May 20, 1823; Mason 
Whiting, Nov. 30, 1831; Joseph S. Bosworth, 1837; Hamilton Collier, 
Dec. 1, 1837; Ausburn Birdsall, Feb. 12, 1842: Lucher Badger, elected 
June, 1847; Jacob H. Morris, Nov. 28, 1849; Francis B. Smith, 1853; 
George A. Northrap, 1856; Orlow W. Chapman, appointed vice North- 
rup, Sept. 4, 1862, and afterward elected; Peter W. Hopkins, appointed 
vice Chapman, resigned, Jan. 6, 1868, and afterward elected; Theodore 
F. McDonald, 1874, '77; David H. Carver, 1880; George B.Curtiss, 1883, 
'86; Winthrop D. Painter, 1889, '92; Harry C. Perking 1895, '98. 

Sheriffs. — Under the first constitution sheriffs were appointed by the 
council of appointment, could hold no other office, must be a freeholder 
in the county to which appointed, and could not hold more than four 
successive years. Since the constitution of 1821, sheriffs have been 
elected for a term of three j'ears, and are ineligible to immediate re- 
election. In Broome county the sheriffs, with year of appointment or 
election, have been as follows: 

William Woodruff, 1806; Jacob McKinney, 1808; Chester Patterson, 
1809; Thomas Whitney, 1813; Oliver Huntington, 1816; William Cham- 
berlain, 1818; Chauncey Hyde, 1821; Joseph Patterson, March, 1821; 
Noah Shaw, 1822; Benj. B. Nichols, 1825; Jesse Hinds, jr., 1828; James 
Stoddard, 1831; Robert O. Edwards, 1834; Robert H:irper, 1837; Levi 
Dimmick, 1840; Joseph Bartlett, 1843; Usebe Kent, 1846-47; Benj. T. 
Miller, Jan., 1848— Dec, 1848; William Cook, Nov., 1848; Mason Wat- 
tles, 1851; James B. Balch, 1854; Erastus Burghardt, 1857; John B. 
Bowen, 1860 ; Frederick W. Martin, 1863; Robert Brown, 1866; Frederick 
W. Martin, 1869; Philotus Edmister, 1872; George W. Dunn, 1875; 
Lewis Chester Bartlett, 1878 ; S . Foster Black, 1881 ; James Brown, 1884 ; 
Winfield S. Stone, 1887; Frederick P. Ockerman, 1890; Urbane S. 
Stevens, 1893; Augustus G. Wales, 1896. 

County Clerks. — Previous to the constitution of 1821 this office was 
appointive, but since that time has been elective for a term of three 
years. Ashbel Wells, April 2, 1806; Jacob McKinney, May 31, 1809; 
William Woodruff, Feb. 26, 1810; Mason Wattles, Feb. 18, 1811; Wm. 
Woodruff, Nov. 9, 1812; Arami Doubleday, Aug. 28, 1817; Latham A. 
Burroughs, Feb. 14, 1821; Daniel Evans, Nov., 1822 (elected); Bar- 
zilla Marvin, 1831; John C. Moore, 1840; George Burr, 1843; John C. 
Moore, 1846; Erasmus D. Robinson, 1849; William C. Doane, 1855; 
Hallam E. Pratt, 1858; Charles O. Root, 1861; Joseph M. Johnson, 



62 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

1867; Pliny A. Russell, 1873; Marcus W. Scott, 1876; Charles F. Tup- 
per, 1882; Henry Marean, 1888; Frank B. Newell, 1894 and 1897. 

County Treasurer. — Under the authority of the constitution of 1847, 
the legislature on Dec. 16, 1847, provided for the election of a county 
treasurer in each county of the state. Previous to that time treasurers 
were appointed by the supervisors. 

Richard Mather, 1848, '51; Nelson J. Hopkins, 1854, '57, '60; Alonzo 

C. Matthews, 1863, '66, '69, '72; David L. Brownson, 1875, '78, '81; 
John A. Rider, 1884, '87, '90, '93, '96, '99. 

County Superintendents of Common Schools. — By an act passed April 
17, 1843, the supervisors were directed to appoint county superintend- 
ents of common schools. The office was abolished March 13, 1847. 
The incumbents of the office in Broome county were as follows: George 
T. Frazier, J. Taylor Brodt and Alvin Wheeler. 

School Commissioners. — Previous to 1857 the incumbents of this office 
were appointed by the supervisors, but since that time have been 
elected. The first election under the act creating the office was held 
in November, 1859; term, three years. Broome county is divided into 
two commissioner districts, which have been known as the first and 
second, and also as the eastern and western districts. The succession 
follows : 

First or eastern district — Lucius H. Moody, Albert Ross, James N. 
Lee, Eleazer Osborn, Henry S. Monroe, Hiram Barnum, William D. 
Kerr, Hiram Barnum, Arthur G. Wilson, Charles E. Fuller, Wallace 
Thompson, Eber S. Devine, John W. Kniskern, Mary L. Kniskern. 

Second or western district — George Burr, Harry Lyon, William W. 
Elliott, Newton W. Edson, George Jackson, Eleazer Osborn, Stephen 

D. Wilbur, James L. Lusk, Erwin B. Whitney. 

Superintendents of the Poor. — The meagre and unsatisfactory charac- 
ter of county records previous to 1848 precludes the possibility of a 
complete succession of incumbents of this office; but since that time have 
been as follows: 

Samuel Stow, Samuel Peterson, Daniel I. Davidson, 1848; Samuel 
Peterson, 1849; Pelatiah B. Brooks, 1850; Samuel Stow, 1851; Arthur 
Gray, 1852; John Chubbuck, 1853; Allen Perkins, 1854; Arthur Gray, 
1855; Augustus Morgan, 1856; Lewis Haight, 1857; Cornelius M. Mer- 
sereau, 1858; Augustus Morgan, 1859; Daniel Clark, 1860; Cornelius 
M. Mersereau, 1861; Augustus Morgan, 1862-63; James G. Hall, Adam 
A. Kedzie, 1864; Augustus Morgan, 1865; James G. Hall, 1866; Adam 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 63 

A. Kedzie, 1867; Evander vSpaulding-, 1868; James G. Hall, I860; Adam 
A. Kedzie, 1870-71; Wm. W. Mersereau, 1872; James G. Hall, 1873; 
Evander Spaulding, 1874-76; Milo B Payne, 1877-86; Ira S. Cook, 
1889-92; Leonard S. Carter, 1893; Leonard Whitney, 1896. 

Coroners. — The explanation in the preceding paragraph relating to 
superintendents of the poor applies with equal truth to coroners. In- 
complete records deprive us of the full succession, but from 1847 the 
list may be found accurate, as follows: 

Enos C. Brainard, 1847; William Butler, 1848; John W. Sheldon, 
Zenas Pratt, 1849; Christopher R. Mersereau, 1850; Wm. Butler, 1851 
Joseph Congdon, Charles A. Seymour, 1852; Wightman Williams, 1853 
Humphrey D. Gilbert, 1854; Lorenzo Parsons, John Congdon, 1855 
William W. Davenport, 1856; Samuel B. Monroe, 1857; Elmer W. 
Brigham, Humphrey D. Gilbert, 1858; Allen C. Jeffords, 1859; Michael 
Bander, 1860; Elmer W. Brigham, Andrew W. Brownson, 1861; Charles 
A. Seymour, 1862; William B. Ralyea, Humphrey D. Gilbert, Michael 
Bauder, 1863; Elmer W. Brigham, 1864-65; Walter L. Barber, Michael 
Bauder, Enos C. Brainard, 1866; John P. Worthing, 1867-68; Michael 
Bauder, James D. Guy, Isaac C. Edson, 1869; John P. Worthing, 1870; 
Evander Spaulding, 1871; Frank Sturdevant, Harvey S. Beardsley, 
Henry Harris, 1872; Charles B. Richards, 1873; Frank Sturdevant, 
Henry Harris, Harvey S. Beardsley, 1875; Charles B. Richards, 1876; 
Frank Sturdevant, Harvey S. Beardsley, Solomon P. Allen, 1878; 
Apollos Comstock, Austin B. Stillson (vacancy), 1879; Solomon P. Al- 
len, Harvey S. Beardsley, J. Humphrey Johnson, 1881; Austin B. Still- 
son, 1882; A. Judson Osborn, 1884; Barna E. Radeker, 1885; Edward 
A. Pierce, Francis D. Gridley, Myron N. Smith, 1887; Barna E. Rade- 
ker, 1888: Edward A. Pierce, Myron N. Smith, 1890; Barna E. Rade- 
ker, 1891; Lyman H. Hills, Ralph A. Seymour, Francis D. Gridley, 
1893; Barna E. Radeker, 1894; Lyman H. Hills, 1890; Harvey Wilcox 
jr., Edwin L. Spencer (vacancy), 1897. 



BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 



CHAPTER VIII. 

REMINISCENCES OF EARLY LIFE AND SETTLEMENT IN 
BINGHAMTON. 

Among the several extensive land proprietors in this region William 
Bingham appears to have acted with less haste than many others, and 
especially the proprietors of the Boston Ten Towns. As has been fully 
stated in a preceding chapter, the patent from the state to Hooper, 
Wilson and Bingham was dated June 27, 1786, and the partition deed 
from Hooper and Wilson to Bingham bore date Feb. 11, 1790. All 
purchases of land on the Bingham tract during the succeeding ten years 
were the result of direct negotiation with Bingham, as no record indi- 
cates that he had a regular representative on the tract other than the 
surveyors employed to run the lines and lay out farm lots. However, 
during the ten years referred to events of an important character in 
this vicinity took place, all of which had much to do with founding a 
village on Chenango Point. 

In 1791 the legislature passed an act dividing the old county of Mont- 
gomery and out of its territory creating a new jurisdiction which in 
extent amounted to almost a principality. The new county was called 
Tioga, and within its boundaries was included a portion of Chenango 
county, all of Broome county, a part of Tompkins county, and all of 
Chemung county, which were set off from the mother territory in the 
order mentioned. In 1792 an act of the legislature authorized a court 
house and jail for the new county, and provided for the appointment 
of three commissioners to superintend their erection, the same to be 
located, according to the act, east of Nanticoke creek. In 1793 an act 
provided for holding courts alternately at New Town Point (Elmira) 
and at "the house of Joshua Whitney, esquire, at Chenango, in the 
town of Union." 

Thus the little hamlet up the river, to which attention is given in the 
preceding chapter, was for a brief time the half-shire seat of justice of 
Tioga count}^ This arrangement was maintained a little less than ten 
years, when (March 31, 1801) an act authorized the formal division of 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. C5 

the county into jury districts, and declared it lawful to hold courts in 
the eastern district at "a house to be erected for that purpose at Che- 
nango Point, in the tovvn of Chenang-o." This indicates that in the 
meantime Chenango Point had gained an ascendancy over the rival 
hamlet up the river, or, in other words, that Joshua Whitney, son of 
pioneer Joshua, had assumed the management of Bingham's patent, 
and had succeeded in changing the seat of justice from Chenango vil- 
lage to Chenango Point. 

Joshua Whitney became agent for the Bingham lands in 1800, but 
previous to that time an attempt had been made to lay out a village 
plot and lots on the city site, but by whom and under what direction is 
not now clear. A crude plan was made in 1797, and a copy is now in 
existence, but it is understood that no development was made in ac- 
cordance with it. Previous to Mr. Whitney's (he was more commonly 
known in later years as " General " Whitney) connection with the tract 
all parcels sold had been conveyed agreeable to the survey into farm 
lots, as there was then no probable intention to establish a village, and 
much less a county seat. Mr. Bingham owned the land and made gen- 
erous provision for public buildings and local interests, but the main 
honor for having in fact founded the village and permanently estab- 
lished its institutions must in justice be a:corded to General Whitney. 
About the time he undertook control, Gen. Whitney acquired considera- 
ble tracts of village land by purchase, and it is probable that the pro- 
prietor also made certain concessions to him in order to stimulate en- 
ergetic action. 

The agent at once began to draw attention to the locality by 
directing his energies toward the citizens of Chenango village, repre- 
senting to them that the lands on the Point were more desirable than 
those up the river, and proposed to, and did, remove several of their 
buildings to the new site, locating them in accordance with the regular 
survey. The most attractive proposition made by him was one looking 
to the construction of a bridge across the Chenango at the foot of what 
is now Court street. This the shrewd young agent announced to the 
inhabitants of Chenango in the bar-room of Lewis Keeler's famous hos- 
telry, and accompanied the information with the suggestion that further 
building on the old site be discontinued, and work resumed in the 
village-to-be, " down where the bridge is to be built." 

It appears, however, that previous to Gen. Whitney's connection 
with the Bingham lands considerable settlement had been made thereon 



66 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

soon after 1792, and between that year and 1798. The settlers were 
squatters, not claiming to hold under regular title, who had made some 
improvements to the land, hence wished to become owners either by 
the generosity of Mr. Bingham or by the payment of a modest annual 
rent. In the hope that the proprietor would be persuaded to confirm 
their title to the lands, these worthies addressed a petition to Mr. Bing- 
ham, a copy of which is as follows: 
"To the Honorable Wm. Bingham: 

"A petition from the inhabitants and settlers on said Bingham's Pat- 
ent, on Susquehanna river, in the towns of Union and Chenango, county 
of Tioga, and state of New York, humbly prayeth : 

" That whereas we, your petitioners, having been to considerable ex- 
pense in moving on said land and making improvements, we pray your 
honor would grant us three lives' lease, and we will pay an annual 
rental for the same; otherwise let us know on what terms we can have 
the land, and, your petitioners as dutiful tenants, shall ever comply. 

"Chenango, Feb. 1, 1798." 

The names of the petitioners, who joined in this somewhat strange 
request (though not an unusual proceeding at that time) are preserved, 
and a glance at the list will show several who were afterward residents 
of the village and were identified with its best history : 

The petitioners were Abraham Sneden, Daniel Sneden, Abraham 
Sneden, jr., William Aliller, Ebenezer Park (the father-in-law of Judge 
Chamberlain), Joseph Compton, Zachariah Squires, James Squires (not 
the pioneer tanner), Asa Squires, James Ford, Silas Moore, Ezra Keeler, 
Ira Keeler, Joseph Limerick, Robert Foster, Roswell Jay, Nathaniel 
Taggart, John Carr, Arthur Miller, Barnabas Wixon, Solomon Wixon, 
Jonathan Dunham, Zebulon Moore, Daniel Delano, Levi Bennett (the 
two latter of whom lived in the locality which for many years was 
known as Millville), Samuel Bevier, James Lyon (who kept the ferry 
near what is now Ferry street), Abraham Carson, William Brink, Silas 
Hall, Asher Wickham, Thomas Cooper, Walter Slyter (evidently mean- 
ing Slater), Andrew Cooper (who lived between the Ferry street bridge 
and the site of the old Marshall Lewis mills), David Compton, Amos 
Towsley and William Chamberlain, the latter afterward one of the most 
prominent men in the county, holding the office of justice by appoint- 
ment in 1802, sherifE in 1817, assistant judge and also judge of the 
Common Pleas court. He was one of the founders of the Episcopal 
church, and withal one of early Binghamton's best citizens. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 67 

In that early day the discomforts and inconveniences of poverty were 
not as keenly felt as in more modern times, nor was the lack of means 
a bar to the door of society. Many of our most wealthy and influential 
citizens of the present day are descended from pioneer ancestry as 
humble and poor as any in this community. These .settlers came to 
better their condition and to build up for their families and descendants 
comfortable homes and, if fortune favored, substantial fortunes. Many 
of them cast their lot in a new and undeveloped country and not find- 
ing a resident agent from whom to purchase or rent the land, they set- 
tled in convenient places and began to make improvements, hoping, 
however, that the owner would confirm their titles for modest consider- 
ation. This, tradition says, Mr. Bingham did, with a generosity which 
has been said to have ever characterized his career; but in disposing 
of his lands at reasonable prices the proprietor not only succeeded in 
settling them, but he also reaped the benefit of the increased value of 
adjacent reserved tracts. 

In general the pioneers on Bingham's patent were a determined, 
courageous set of men and women, nearly all of whom came to the 
region from the east to contend against the hardships which have al- 
ways beset life in a new country. Many of them had seen service dur- 
ing the Revolution and were now prepared to face new dangers in the 
hope that their own and their families' comfort might be assured. The 
character and condition of the Susquehanna and Chenango valleys had 
been told in the east by the soldiers of Clinton's army, and under the 
inspiring influence of their representations there came the pioneers 
who cleared the lands, built the cabins and the primitive mills, and thus 
prepared the way, and made lighter the path and the toil, of his family 
and followers. All honor, then, to this vanguard of a new civilization, 
whose struggles and hardships brought into life a new county in just 
five short years after the first pioneer came. All honor to the pioneers 
of Bingham's patent and the Boston purcha.se, alien or citizen, foreign 
or native, for through their lives and work the county came into being 
and took a place among the civil divisions of the state; a jurisdiction 
as beautiful, as diversified with the wildest extremes of nature's fancies, 
as rich and fertile in all the staples that agricultural and commercial 
industry can produce as almost any in this great commonwealth 

Binghamton, hamlet, village and city, is just closing the hundredth 
year of its existence, and wonderful indeed have been the changes 
wrought during that period. No man now lives who saw the first im- 



68 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

provements on the city site, and few indeed of the sons of the pioneers 
are still living in the locality. All is changed; the first settlers are 
gone, the primitive structures are removed, the name Chenango Point 
is no longer known, the old institutions are superseded by others more 
modern. In truth, so many and so great have been the changes of the 
century just closing that it sometimes seems as if the last thirty years 
of city history had no connection with an earlier period; still, looking 
back into the dim but not forgotten past, the close observer may easily 
discern the connecting link which binds together the old generation of 
factors and the new, and men yet live who trace their ancestry to the 
city in its hamlet days, and in fact to the pioneers who leveled the for- 
ests, cleared the land and prepared the way for succeeding generations. 
Their names and deeds it is the purpose of this work to record, giving 
honor where honor is due, and then, having recalled the laying of the 
foundation of the subsequent growth and welfare of the village, to trace 
the history of its progress to the close of the present century, and thus 
preserve for coming generations a narrative of the works of those who 
have been contributing factors in this splendid growth. Indeed, in 
many respects this work may be regarded as a centennial history of 
Binghamton, including three distinct elements of evolution — the ham- 
let, the village and the city. 

If it were possible that Solomon Moore, Joshua Whitney, James Lyon, 
Nathaniel Delano (who is said to have built a cabin on the north bank 
of the Susquehanna, just above the site of the present Rockbottom 
bridge, as early as 1788, and to have attempted to maintain himself at 
blacksmithing), or any other of the pioneers on the city site, could 
again visit the scenes of their early experiences they would discover 
little even in topographical features of the locality to remind them of 
times long passed, when they made the first improvements on the land. 
Like the primitive structures, the land surface has been materially 
altered by the ever progressive hand of man, but in no part of the city 
has there been more marked change than in the vicinity of the court 
house square and about the point where Chenango and Exchange streets 
touch Court street. 

Previous to the erection of the court house of 1856 this locality was 
known as "Court House hill." The name survived until the removal 
of the old academy and the Broome County bank and the erection of 
Phelps bank building. When the village was laid out the summit of 
the hill near this point on Court street was about twenty feet above the 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 6S 

present grade, and from there "the boys" (some younger, some older) 
were accustomed to coast down to the Chenango river, while as long as 
the academy building stood the descending ground from the court house 
to beyond Hawley street was a famous " sliding place," and thousands 
of accidents and incidents are associated with its memories. 

The changes of grade in other localities have been frequent, particu- 
larly since the village became a city. Near the corner of Main and 
Front streets was a considerable elevation, the old Myron Merrill resi- 
dence on the site of the present Wilkinson building having been built 
on "high ground." Down Main street about a mile another ridge ex- 
tended north and south, and a portion thereof is still to be seen near 
where once stood "Bige" Green's shop. Originally the entire vicinity 
was covered with a heavy forest growth. The only clearing of conse- 
quence found by the pioneers was that made by the Indians for their 
habitations and gardens. They, however, did not clear the land as did 
the settlers, but burned over desired tracts, and thus destroyed growing 
trees and vegetation. The region was also said to contain considerable 
area of swamp and marsh land, but with the removal of the forests, the 
depressed places were dried up, and a little filling by owners and mu- 
nicipal authorities has resulted in a comparatively level tract upon 
which the city has been built. 

The next morning after Mr. Whitney made known to the inhabitants 
of Chenango village that he proposed to start a settlement "down on 
the Point," he, with Selah Squires and four other stalwart settlers, took a 
boat and paddled down the river to a point about at the foot of what is 
Court street, landing on the east bank. "Boys, here is the spot," said 
Whitney, after which all set to work and during the day cleared about 
an acre of land near the intersection of Court and Water streets. When 
night came and the party was about to re-enter their boat, young Squires 
noticed the remarkable similarity of two large elm trees, one on each 
bank of the river. "They are twins," he exclaimed, and from that re- 
mark the name "Twin Elms" was given to the immediate vicinity. 
After that, it was " We are going down to the Twin Elms," and also, 
"Agent Whitney is going to build a bridge at the Twin Elms." The 
locality was for a time thus designated. 

In this connection it is interesting to note that the "twin" on the 
west side of the river still survives, having served in its time many and 
various purposes. It sheltered from sun and storm the red man of the 
forest and the white-faced pioneer who succeeded him ; it protected from 



I-O BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

the action of the water the earth in its vicinity and the river bank be- 
low; it was a shield from the morning sun for all the children in Miss 
Mcintosh's select school in an adjacent building; it served as an anchor 
for a ferry cable; it held within its powerful and wide-spreading 
branches a platform large enough to seat a score of men; and now, 
after a century of constant guardianship, its " stump " still stands and 
may be seen in rear of the buildings at the west end of the bridge. Its 
companion on the east bank withstood the devastations of man and 
action of the elements for many years, but at last, having become un- 
dermined, it gradually leaned toward the water, and in the spring of 
1865 was swept away. Sic transit. 

After making the clearing above mentioned, General Whitney laid 
out Court and Water streets, the former extending east to about Ex- 
change street, and the latter beginning at Court street and extending 
thence south with the river, almost its present course, though it was 
not then so wide. (On June 19, 1812, the commissioners of highways 
of the town of Chenango were authorized to lay out Water street 60 
feet wide from Court street to the Susquehanna river. Soon afterward 
this became a main traveled thoroughfare and a part of the old Bing- 
hamton and Montrose turnpike. A ferry crossed the river at the foot 
of the street and connected with the turnpike on the south side, leading 
directly in front of the residence of the late Christopher Eldredge, now 
occupied by his descendants, thence ran to a point about oOO feet south 
of the junction of the avenue with Cross street, where it "angled " to 
the east, across the creek; thence southeast along what is now Park 
avenue up the hill west of Ross park.) 

On July 4, 1800, William Bingham conveyed to Joshua Whitney 215 
acres of land in what is now the city tract, and in the next year Whit- 
ney erected a substantial dwelling house on the north side of Court 
street, about opposite the termination of Water street, the latter then 
not extending north of Court street. Thus it appears that Joshua- 
Whitney was the active agent through whom the settlement was actu- 
ally founded, and was also its first permanent settler under recognized 
authority. It is said, however, by reliable writers that John G. Chris- 
topher built the first substantial dwelling on the city site, the same 
standing about where the gas works formerly stood on Water street. 
How long Mr. Christopher lived here is not known. On the Bingham 
Patent map he is shown to be the owner of a considerable tract of land 
on the south side of the Susquehanna river, adjoining and east of the 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 7l 

Moore tract. It is also said that when the Whitney house was built 
the Christopher domicile was in a dilapidated condition, from which it 
may be assumed that it was hardly more than a cabin for temporary 
uses. 

In our narrative thus far progressed the name of Joshua or General 
Whitney has been so frequently mentioned that it must be seen that he 
was the all-important factor in founding the village settlement and 
securing for it a substantial growth in later years. In early local an- 
nals the Whitney surname appears more frequently than any other, 
hence a brief allusion to the life of Joshua Whitney seems appropriate. 

Joshua Whitney, the land agent, who is mentioned both as Joshua 
and as General Whitney, was commonly known among the early set- 
tlers by the brief cognomen of '* Josh," his military title and standing 
having come with later years. He was born August 24, 1773, hence 
was 14 years old when his father — Joshua Whitney, the pioneer — came 
into the Chenango valley. According to tradition, the young man in- 
herited many of his father's traits of character, one of which was a 
capacity to manage and successfully direct large enterprises, and when 
a boy he was frequently sent on long journeys on business of impor- 
tance. He occasionally visited Philadel] hia and thus undoubtedly be- 
came acquainted with Mr. Bingham, who, admiring the honest manhood 
and business qualities of the young man, saw in him the spirit neces- 
sary to profitably manage the lands in this vicinity, which were then 
brought into active competition with other equally desirable patents in 
the state, and also with the fertile Genesee country west of Seneca lake. 

In making the selection Mr. Bingham acted wisely, for subsequent 
events proved that young Whitney was probably the only man then in 
the valley who could accomplish such remarkable results in so short a 
time. As the owner of more than 200 acres of land on the tract his in- 
terest was twofold, for by selling lots either on Bingham's or his own 
tract he enhanced the value of both. 

Joshua Whitney played an important part in the history of Chenango 
Point and subsequent village of Binghamton, yet it is not necessary to 
here recall all his works in developing the region, as the narrative as it 
progresses will bring them into prominence. Mr. Whitney's wife was 
Rhoda Jewell, by whom he had nine sons and two daughters. Nearly 
all of the sons attained a position of distinction in this locality, and were 
identified with the most interesting history of Binghamton, hence their 
names may with propriety be recalled. They were Virgil, Vincent, 



72 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

George, Washington and Franklin (twins), Joshua, William, Charles 
and Robert, the latter having died in infancy. To an/ native of Bing- 
hamton, now past the middle period of life the mention of these 
familiar names suggests many pleasant associations and memories, and 
it is indeed difficult to resist the temptation to refer at length to the 
career of each of them, but space forbids. 

In 1801 the work of settlement and development was begun in ear- 
nest. In that year Jacob McKinney, who had for a year kept a stock 
of goods at the upper village, came down to the Point and built a store 
near the corner of what is now Water and Stuart streets. The building 
was 28 feet square, but a little later on a large grain store house was 
built on the west side of Water street, in anticipation of increasing trade 
and in the hope that this might become the center of an extensive grain 
growing region. Mr. McKinney was a prominent figure in early his- 
tory, and was best known as Judge McKinney, through his connection 
with the county courts. He was sheriff in 1808 and county clerk in 
1809. For a time he was partner with General Whitney, and their 
operations carried them into other fields than general merchandising, 
but their efforts were not always rewarded with the success they de- 
served. 

(The storehouse property was sold by the firm to Crosby & Blanchard, 
both of whom came from Philadelphia. The new firm restocked the 
store, but soon dissolved partnership, Blanchard removing to Owego, 
and Crosby taking Gen. Whitney as partner. In the meantime the store 
building had been enlarged and raised two stories, thus becoming the 
largest business structure in the village. Mr. Crosby came here through 
the influence of Mr. Bingham; but he died soon afterward.) 

Judge McKinney was a man of the highest character and was always 
greatly respected in the community. His wife was Eliza Sabin, and 
three well known and worthy sons were among their seven children. 
Silas and Sabin McKinney, two of these sons, entered the Presbyterian 
ministry, although during Sabin's later life he was in the coal business 
in this city. Charles McKinney was for many years one of our best 
and most useful citizens, liberal, public spirited and benevolent. He 
was in the assembly in 1855, and in 1875 was elected mayor of the city. 
Silas was less known in local circles than his brothers, and a portion of 
his life was spent in other fields. All of those worthy and honored 
citizens of Binghamton are now passed away. 

Lewis Keeler, the former tavern keeper and hatter at the upper vil- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 73 

lage, came to the "Point" in 1801 and built a hotel at the southeast 
corner of Court and Water streets, where for many years afterward a 
public liouse was maintained. (One of the most conspicuous buildings 
on this site in later years was the American Hotel, succeeding the 
"Binghamton Hotel," the latter being the successor to Robinson & 
Morgan's famous "Binghamton Coffee House." Still later the name 
was changed to Cafferty House, but for several years past the building 
has been occupied solely for mercantile and dwelling purposes.) 

James and Balthazer De Hart were settlers here in 1801. Both were 
members of the bar, the latter having the title of judge, which was 
acquired in New Jersey. They were quiet, dignified, gentlemanly law- 
yers and enjoyed the respect of the entire community. Further men- 
tion of them is made in the Bench and Bar chapter. 

John Yarrington came about the same year, possibly earlier, and set 
up a blacksmith shop on a lot at the northwest corner of Court and 
Washington streets, his land extending west to include the site of the 
Sampson building On the latter site Yarrington had his shop, while 
his dwelling stood where is now the First National bank. Lewis Kee- 
ler's hotel barn stood about on the southwest corner of Court and Wash- 
ington streets, or, speaking after the custom of earlier years, on Rex- 
ford's corner, for the drug store of LeviM. Rexford made this a famous 
locality. The name cannot be forgotten, nor the incidents connected 
with the store, within whose doors once ran a wild deer, which was 
caught in the arms of Isaac Aldrich. General Whitney soon removed 
Keeler's barn and sold the lotto John Townley, a carpenter and cabinet 
maker by trade, whose services in the village were much needed, and 
who proved in every respect a useful and esteemed citizen. In 1812 he 
suddenly disappeared and was never afterward heard from. Mr. Town- 
ley came from New Jersey, and is remembered as the father of the late 
Col. Augustus Townley, the latter also for many years a worthy resi- 
dent of Binghamton. 

Daniel Le Roy was one of the most prominent settlers added to the 
little hamlet in 1801, and was a conspicuous figure in later village life. 
He was a lawyer of ability and by his work in the profession and other 
directions contributed much to early local growth. He bought a lot 
and built a dwelling house at the northeast corner of Court and Wash- 
ington streets, where now stands the City National bank. In Le Roy 
street is still preserved the name of this worthy settler, although Le 
Roy Place was a popular name before the village acquired the impor- 



14: BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

tanceof a city. The name designated the buildings erected in 1839 by 
John A. Collier at the corner of what is now Court and State streets, 
and extended thence east to include the site of the present Ross and 
O'Neil buildings. In 181? Mr. Le Roy disposed of his remaining prop- 
erty and moved west. 

Guido Bissel came during the same year and purchased a lot on Water 
street, on which then stood a plank house. Recollections of Bissel are 
not distinct and he probably lived here only a short time. His lot was 
soon occupied by the homestead of Zenas Pratt, a settler of 1807, and 
one of the conspicuous figures in village life for several years. 

Those whose names are recalled in preceding paragraphs were the 
prominent figures in the village during the first two years of its exist- 
ence. It is more than probable that others came about the same time 
but their names have not been preserved in the records of the past, and 
no man now lives who knew the settlement at that early day. General 
Whitney devoted his attention both to the village site and the surround- 
ing lands of the patent, and it is not unreasonable to suppose that lots 
outside the surveyed village tract, and within the present city limits, 
were occupied by settlers as worthy as those we have mentioned; yet 
by any present means their names cannot be recalled. 

In 1806 the new arrivals in the village, so far as is now known, were 
William Seymour, Giles Andrus, Christopher Woods, Samuel Roberts, 
Joseph Lewis and John R. Wildman. Wildman was the first village 
tailor and built a dwelling and shop on the lot on which in later years 
Dr. Ely erected the Exchange buildings, on the north side of Court 
street, between Washington and State streets, as now laid out. Wild- 
man carried on business for some time but his name has not been known 
in local circles for many years. Three quarters of a century ago tailor 
Wildman was a man of great consequence in the community. Giles 
Andrus was a carpenter, but after a short residence here he went fur- 
ther west. Of Woods, Roberts and Lewis, little is now known. Will- 
iam Seymour studied law in Mr. Le Roy's ofifice, and was licensed to 
practice at the first term of court held in this county after it was set 
off from Tioga. A few years later he settled in Windsor, but in 1843 
he was made first judge of the Common Pleas and then returned to the 
village. 

The crowning event, however, in connection with our village history 
in 1802 was the erection of a court house and jail. This mention sug- 
gests a brief recapitulation of still earlier events. As has been stated. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 75 



an act of the legislature passed in 1793 authorized terms of court in 
Tioga county to be held alternately at Newtown and at the house of 
Joshua Whitney at Chenango, in the town of Union (at that time Union 
included all the territory between Chenango river and Owego creek). 
Therefore, from the year mentioned until 1802, courts in this district 
of the county were held at the settlement up the Chenango, but in 1801 
another act directed courts in this district to he held at the "house to be 
erected for that purpose at Chenango Point, in the town of Chenango," 
(Chenango then embraced a large extent of territory east of Chenango 
river) instead of the house of Joshua Whitney, in the town of Union. 
By this great change the victory of Chenango Point over the rival vil- 
lage of Chenango was made complete, and while the latter was thence- 
forth doomed to decay the future prosperity of the former was assured. 
"The house to be erected for that purpose," quoting from the act, 
was duly provided for through the generosity of Mr. Bingham and the 
enterprise of General Whitney. It was the first Broome county court 
house, erected in 1802, and was an unpretentious structure standing 
near the corner of Court and Chenango streets, about on the site of the 
Perry building, where, before the erection of the latter, laid a portion 
of the spacious grounds surrounding the residence of Cyrus Strong. In 
size the building was about 24 x 36 feet, with two strongly constructed 
log rooms for jail purposes. A few years later the movable portion 
of the building was taken across the street and placed on the square, 
though not on the site of the present court house. In its way the old 
building did practical service for nearly a quarter of a century and then 
gave way to a new structure more commodious, modern and attractive. 
It was very suitable for the time, and its erection was the direct means 
of drawing to the village a desirable class of residents, representing 
various callings in life, which added both to population and busi- 
ness importance, and gave to it, even at that early day, a special prom- 
inence among the settled localities of this part of the state. The 
pioneers laid the foundation for the hamlet, but the acquisition of the 
county buildings proved the corner and keystone of future prosperity, 
upon which the municipal superstructure was afterward built up, event- 
ually establishing Binghamton the leading and largest city in the south- 
ern tier counties of New York. 

While the years preceding 1803 witnessed settlement by a worthy and 
energetic set of men and families, the period from that time to 1813 
was marked by the arrival of others equally prominent, and through 



76 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

the combined efforts of all, the village acquired sufficient importance 
to take to itself a limited corporate character. The succeeding pages 
of this chapter will be devoted to the factors of this period. 

Among the prominent persons who came to the village in 1803 was 
William Stuart, a former resident of Tioga county, and its first district 
attorney when the office was known as assistant attorney-general. He 
was appointed district attorney in 1802, and is recalled as a lawyer of 
unusual ability, possessing the fortunate quality of retaining perfect 
self-possession even under the most trying circumstances. When the 
limited corporate character was taken in 1813 Mr. Stuart is said to have 
been one of the first trustees, and was a guiding spirit in that body of 
worthies. Judge Stuart, for by this title he was commonly designated, 
lived for a time in the General Whitney house at the head of Water 
street and afterward in the Townley domicile at the corner of Washing- 
ton street, but later purchased the Christopher property on Water 
street, to which he gave the name "Cottage house." William Stuart, 
jr., who is remembered as one of the strongest newspaper editors in 
early Binghamton journalism, and also the late Alexander Stuart, were 
sons of Judge Stuart. 

In the same year Thomas Whitney, brother to the General, began the 
erection of a dwelling on Water street, in the then most populous por- 
tion of the village, but soon sold the unfinished structure to Henry 
Pinkerton (otherwise known as Pinckerton) who completed and rented 
it to Benjamin Sawtell, son of Capt. Sawtell. Several property changes 
were made among the inhabitants about this time, for nearly every one 
of the settlers were Yankees or of New England descent, hence swap- 
ping and dealing were necessary elements of vigorous growth. John 
Townley purchased from Squire Whiting the house the latter bought of 
General Whitney, while the squire himself built further down Water 
street. The next year he built an office on the same street, and there- 
after for many years the name of Whiting was prominently connected 
with nearly every transaction relating to this section. 

About this time Henry Shipman came from Saybrook, Conn., built 
an addition to what was afterward Zenas Pratt's cabinet shop, and took 
a position among the worthy spirits of the place. He is remembered 
as a shrewd, driving Yankee, proud of his ancestry and possessing a 
strong vein of humor in his personality. He was the father of Captain 
Henry W. Shipman, who was for many years a conspicuous figure in 
Binghamton. At a later date Mr. Shipman lived on Court street (very 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 77 

near where Harvey Westcott now resides) and worked at his trade of 
chair-making. 

Sherman Page and William Low came about 1803 and began the 
practice of law, but evidently found this an unprofitable field, hence 
soon left for other parts. David Brownson came about the same time 
and located two miles weht of the village, on the Union road. He 
was the progenitor of a line of descendants who have since lived in the 
vicinity, and some of them in the city, where for many years they were 
identified with mercantile pursuits. 

William Woodruff also settled here in 1803, and was a conspicuous 
figure in political history in the county. He was sheriff of Tioga county 
by appointment in 18)5, and the first sheriff of Broome county in 1800; 
twice he was county clerk, and from 180(; to 1821 was clerk of the board 
of supervisors. He afterward removed to Hyde Settlement, where he 
died. 

Selah Squires, who has been mentioned among the pioneer settlers 
in Chenango village, and who was apprenticed to learn the hatter's 
trade with Lewis Keeler, was a "jour" workman when he came to 
Chenango Point in 1803 and set up in business on a lot he purchased at 
the southeast corner of Court and Washington streets; a site whereon 
was afterward erected the "Eagle buildings," but which for many 
years has been known as Whitney's jewelry store corner. Mr. Squires 
was a young man at that time, yet he took an important part in village 
affairs. A brother, Lewis Squires, came in 1804, and was a carpenter 
and builder. He is believed to have been the first architect in the vil- 
lage, and as such had much to do with the construction of several large 
buildings of the locality. His first purchase was abo it on the site of 
the Excliange buildings (between Sisson building and the City National 
bank) on Court street, where a dwelling was erected, but soon after- 
ward he bought a lot and built another house on the opposite side of 
the street. It stood, in part, on land afterward taken for the Chenango 
canal (now State street), and was partially removed. The remaining 
part was taken down in 1839 and was replaced with a three-storied 
brick building erected by John A. Collier and christened " Le Roy 

Place." 

James Squires, brother to Selah and Lewis, came from Connecticut 
in 1805 and bought Selah's property, the latter having an inclination to 
move west. In 1800 James Squires purchased a tract of land compris- 
ing substantially the south half of the entire square between Court, 



78 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Hawley, Washington and Collier streets. None of these thoroughfares, 
except Court street, were then laid out. Mr. Squires built a ttnnery 
on the land, the buildings standing about where are now the Shapley 
& Wells foundry and machine shop. The vats and bark yards occu- 
pied a considerable space around the building and the locality was a 
noted play-ground in later years; especially after Lewis Squires and 
Col. Abbott had built a tannery about on the site of the Kent building 
on State street. James Squires' dwelling stood very near the corner of 
Washington and Hawley streets, as afterward laid out, and the entrance 
to his premises was through a lane leading east from Water street. At 
that time Mr. Squires' works were practically out of the village, and 
much of the bark used by him for several years was taken from hem- 
lock trees cut in the immediate vicinity. Indeed, as late as ISll or '12 
the court house square was not cleared of its first growth of oak and 
pine trees. 

James vSquires was undoubtedly the best representative of the sur- 
name in the early history of Binghamton, and was regarded as one o: 
the most substantial men of his time in the county. The name is not 
now represented in Binghamton, but collateral relatives remain and 
are among the highly respected families of the city. 

The village had now attained sufficient size and importance to war- 
rant the removal of Dr. Phineas Bartholomew from the upper village to 
the Point; and according to reliable data he was the pioneer doctor of 
both settlements. Further mention of Dr. Bartholomew naturally be- 
longs to the chapter devoted to the medical profession. After a few 
years in the village he returned to his former home in Coxsackie. 

Dr. Elihu Ely, who for a period of nearly half a century was one of 
the prominent men of Binghamton, came here in the fall of 1805 and 
began practicing medicine. Although an extended mention of his life 
belongs to another chapter, he was so closely connected with the early 
development of the village that some allusion to his works seems nec- 
essary in this place. In 1806 Dr. Ely started a drug store on Court 
street, in the Wildman dwelling, but a year later he built a store up the 
street, on the western slope of the court house hill, about on the west 
line of the building now occupied by C. A. Weed & Co., where he put 
in a general stock of goods. In 1810 he bought of James Park a lot 
immediately opposite the court house, paying for one and one-half 
acres of land in that locality the sum of $300 (the same property to-day 
with its buildings is worth at least $300,000). In November of the same 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 79 

year he purchased the site whereon now stands Phelps bank building. 
On this corner once stood the old Berrian tavern, and afterward the 
Broome County bank. In 1811 Dr. Ely purchased property farther 
down Court street, including the Wildman house (just below the Sisson 
building), paying for two acres of land in that vicinity the sum of 
$1,100 (the same property, with its buildings, is now worth more than 
$1,000,000). The dwelling in which Dr. Ely first lived was built on 
land purchased in 1813, and was on the site of the Brown & Bragg store 
of later years. It was very near the position of the present City Na- 
tional bank. 

Dr. Ely was also the owner of several other village lots, and was a 
man of great enterprise in his time, as well as the possessor of consid- 
able means.' He retired from active professional life in 1832, and died 
in 1851. He was the father of the late Elihu and Richard Ely, 
whose descendants are still in the city. 

James and John Park, who were twins, and brothers of Squire George 
and Rufus Park, came to the village in 1806, and were the earliest rep- 
resentatives of an afterward notable family in the village history. The 
brothers first mentioned purchased the lot on which the first court house 
stood and began merchandising. They were in business here several 
years, but their store afterward was vacant. The Perry building now 
stands on the lot. In the same year Rev. John Camp, a deposed Presby- 
terian clergyman, who had lived in the vicinity several years, came to 
the village and occupied the house said to have been built by black- 
smith Delano away back in 1788. Mr. Camp first entered the Episcopal 
priesthood but afterward became a Presbyterian. He occasionally con- 
ducted religious service in the village, and is remembered as an exceed- 
ingly good man, but over whose life had come a heavy cloud ot sorrow. 

Christopher Eldredge was one of the most conspicuous characters in 
local circles throughout the period of his residence here. He came in 
1806 and first engaged in mercantile business with D iniel Le Roy, but 
soon afterward interested himself largely in milling and land operations. 
In the course of a few years he associated with John A. Collier, and 

' According to the distinct memory of Warring S. Weed, Dr. Ely was regarded as the richest 
man in this vicinity and frequently loaned money to persons desirous of buying lands or erect- 
ing buildings. He at one time owned nearly all the land between Chunango and Washington 
streets (north of Court street) and extending north beyond where Henry street was laid out. 
His last residence was on Washington street, and his barn, which was a very large building, 
stood about on the line of that thoroughfare. The dwelling was afterward removed to a point 
on Washington street, opposite the head of Ferry street, where it still stands. Through some 
misfortune Dr. Ely lost much of his splendid property and died in moderate circumstances. 



80 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

still later with Hazard Lewis, and through their joint efforts the inter 
ests of the village were greatly increased, resulting in constantly grow- 
ing population and commercial importance. They conceived and carried 
out the idea of building a bridge across the Susquehanna just above 
the mouth of the Chenango, and secured an act of the legislature author- 
izing its construction, though the bridge itself was erected by a stock: 
company. Eldredge and Lewis also secured an act authorizing the 
construction of a dam' from the south bank of the Susquehanna to the 
island^ for milling purposes, and in connection with their lumbering 
operations they, with Mr. Lewis, became owners of about a square mile 
of land in what is now the fifth ward, extending east from the Moore 
tract to about Mill street. This they afterward divided among them- 
selves, Eldredge taking the west. Collier the center and Lewis the east- 
ern portion. Mr. Eldredge made his home on the bank of the Susque- 
hanna, where he afterward lived and died. In his family were several 
sons, who for a long time were well known in Binghamton, but all of 
whom are now dead. Our older residents still hold in familiar remem- 
brance the names of James, Hobart, Hallam, Charles, Robert, John and 
Henry (twins) and William Eldredge, the sons of " Uncle Kit," as the 
venerable father was frequently called in later life. Jane Eldredge, a 
daughter, married with James Hawley, for whom the Hawley turnpike 
(now Pennsylvania avenue) was named. 

The year 1807, like those preceding it, witnessed several changes in 
local affairs as well as the arrival of new settlers in the village; and 
each event was a step forward in the direction of municipal prosperity. 
In this year Robert Monell came and began practicing law, and soon 
afterward built an office on Water street. In 1811 he removed to 
Greene, and in Chenango county attained a high professional standing. 
In local business circles the changes of the year included the accession 
of Jacob McKinney to the proprietorship of the Keeler tavern, and the 
erection of a new store by General Whitney. 

Another prominent figure in early village history was Zenas Pratt, 

' As early as 1815 an act of the legislature authorized Joshua Whitney and others to construct 
a dam across the Susquehanna. In 1838 Joshua Whitney and Hazard Lewis were atithorized to 
build a datn across the river between their part of lot 14, Hingham's patent, on the south side, and 
village lots 74-5 on the north side of the river. 

2 Undoubtedly, the island referred to was situated about mid-stream in the Susquehanna, 
above where the Washington street bridge stands. It included several aces of land, and in 
early days was a common resort on all festive occasions. When Warring S. Weed and Solomon 
Aldrich were boys, " general trainings " were held on the island. When the state abandoned the 
canal, the surface earth of the island was taken to raise the canal bed to proper street and lot 
grade. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 81 



who came in 1807 and started a carpenter and cabinet shop on Water 
street (near Hawley). His dwelling was purchased from Henry Ship- 
man. For many years Mr. Pratt lived in the village and was in all 
respects a worthy and industrious citizen. His shop was a general re- 
sort for the townsfolk, and many were the ideas which took form under 
the discussion of the worthies congregated there. Mr. Pratt was the 
father of the late George, Hallara E., William H. and Frederick Pratt. 
In 1808 Daniel Rogers came and formed a law partnership with Mr. 
Le Roy, which had the effect of comparative release for the latter from 
professional work and permitted him to engage in other enterprises. 
In this year a bridge was constructed across the Chenango at the foot 
of Court street. It had been promised eight years before by General 
Whitney, but the necessary means could not be secured. In the mean- 
time those of the inhabitants who had occasion to visit the undeveloped 
lands over the river, were compelled to "take the ferry," or ford the 
stream just below the twin elms. 

The toll bridge across the Chenango was built by Marshall Lewis and 
Luther Thurston, at the expense of Lucas Elmendorf, of Kingston, 
who saw in prospective toll rates sufficient remuneration for his outlay. 
Later events proved this to be an excellent investment, as the locality, 
for many years afterward known as "Canada," in local parlance, was 
opened for settlement and development. The region comprised the 
present first, second, third and fourth wards of the city, and while 
from a business point of view it has not since gained a standing of 
special importance, it is nevertheless the most desirable residential por- 
tion of the city. Daniel Le Roy was quick to see the advantages of 
this locality, and in 1809 made a purchase of land and buUt a dwelling 
near the foot of what is now Front street. Hobart Eldredge afterward 
owned the property, but the octagonal shaped dwelling on "Lovers- 
lane ' is the only present reminder of the earlier period. 

For several years " Uncle Tommy" De Witt was toll taker. He was 
followed by " Uncle Joe " Chambers, and others. 

Soon after the bridge was finished, David Brown=on built a tavern 
on the lot now occupied in part by the Congregational church edifice. 
The hotel was a famous hostelry for many years, and several remarka- 
ble events in local history took place within its doors. It was once 
known as the " Peterson House," in allusion to Samuel Peterson, who 
for many vears was its landlord, but later on the hotel took the name 
of "Chenango House," and as such passed through many propnetor- 



6 



82 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

ships previous to its destruction by fire about the beginning of the war 
of 1861-5. 

Front and Main streets were laid out about this time, hence the four 
corners just west of the bridge became a busy locality. Aaron Burrell, 
whose name was soon well known in the village, a wheelwright and 
wagon maker by trade, erected a building on the southwest corner, on 
the elevated ground afterward occupied by the residence of Myron 
Merrill, and now the site of the Wilkinson building. On the northeast 
corner James McKinney (nephew of Judge McKinney) built a store, 
the same building in which Mr. Powell did business, but later on, after 
a brick building succeeded to the site, the location was for many years 
known as " Wiser's corner." 

Among the new arrivals in the village in 1809 were two of the most 
prominent characters in its history in later years, and each of whom 
was an important factor in its growth and development. They were 
John A. Collier and Col. Oliver Ely. Mr. Collier was then a young 
lawyer just entering professional life, and was doubtless attracted to 
the village by reason of its having recently become the seat of justice 
of a new county, hence promised the most substantial results to a young, 
energetic and capable man. These qualities Mr. Collier certainly pos- 
sessed, yet nothing in his later life and career ever indicated a con- 
sciousness of the fact on his part. He is remembered as an exceeding- 
ly companionable gentleman on all occasions. Any extended mention 
of his career as a lawyer properly belongs to another chapter of this 
work, but as a business man and a developer of the resources of this 
special region some allusion to him in this connection is necessary. He 
first purchased from Lewis Squires a lot on the south side of Court 
street, a portion of which was afterward taken for the Chenango canal, 
but later on he became one of the extensive land owners of the village, 
both in lots and farm tracts. In 1823 Mr. Collier, with others, pur- 
chased a part of the Arthur Gray farm, which lay north of the present 
Erie tracks, on a part of which he in 1837-8 built the mansion in which 
he afterward lived and died. He had an office on Franklin (now 
Washington) street, about half way between Court and Hawley streets, 
adjoining which he built a substantial residence for his father, Thomas 
Collier. The house was subsequently the home of Hamilton Collier, 
brother to John A., and for years one of the worthy men of the village. 
In 1829 Mr. Collier bought the county clerk's office property, which 
was located about where now stands W. S. Smith's Sons' store. Soon 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 83 

afterward he also obtained the adjacent lot on the east, and thus be- 
came the owner of one of the most pretentious three-story buildings in 
the place. 

As has been mentioned, Mr. Collier erected his splendid residence 
in the northern part of the village, at what is now the corner of Pros- 
pect avenue and Eldridge street. Large and attractive grounds were 
laid out surrounding the mansion on all sides, and to the property he 
gave the name of "Ingleside." It was then and for many years the 
most elegant residence in the village, but recently much of the land has 
been taken for building purposes, and the grace and symmetry of the 
place is thus destroyed. The row of large brick buildings on North Depot 
street stand on this once noted ground. The old mansion itself still stands, 
but much of its glory and beauty has faded away. Miscellaneous ten- 
antry has worked its usual results, and now the structure has a dilapi- 
dated appearance. Previous to his removal to Ingleside, Mr. Collier 
lived at the corner of Court and Collier streets. The lot on which the 
McNamara block now stands was originally called Collier's corner. 

In 1835 Mr. Collier purchased Watts' patent, a tract of about 14,000 
acres of land between Binghamton and Colesville. He was also largely 
interested in land and lumber operations with Christopher Eldredgeand 
Hazard Lewis, and through shrewdness, enterprise and good judgment 
he acquired a fortune. He lived to a good old age and ever enjoyed 
the confidence and esteem of his fellow men and professional associates. 
Henry and James Collier were sons of John A. Further mention of 
Mr. Collier's professional and political life will be found in the Bench 
and Bar chapter. 

Col. Oliver Ely, a brother of Dr. Elihu Ely, began his career in the 
village as an employee in the county clerk's office and as teacher in the 
district school. In 1810 he became partner with his brother in a gen- 
eral mercantile business, thus establishing one of the strongest firms 
then in this section. The partnership was dissolved in 1819; immedi- 
ately after this Col. Ely purchased the Yarrington dwelling and prop- 
erty on the corner of Court and Washington streets, moved the house, 
and on its foundation erected a store building. He then began a long 
and successful business career, and one which brought him into a gen- 
eral acquaintance throughout the region. Col. Ely lived many years 
on Washington street, first in the Yarrington house, but later on in a 
substantial brick residence further up that street. The latter was built 
in 1831 and was one of the best dwellings in the village at the time. 



84 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

The latter part of Col. Ely's life was passed on his farm east of the vil- 
lage, but now within the city limits, and is generally known as Fair- 
view. The late Joseph E. and William M. Ely, both of whom were 
closely identified with business and political life in the county, were 
sons of Col. Ely. 

Dr. Tracy Robinson was another well-known character in early times 
and came to Chenango Point in 1810. He was a physician by profes- 
sion and formerly lived in Chenango county. He started a drug store 
on the north side of Court street, and in 1813 took Ur. Ammi Double- 
day as partner. In a few years the junior member of the firm suc- 
ceeded to the business, after which Dr. Robinson opened a dry goods 
store, but did not give up practice. Three years later he sold the store 
and devoted his attention wholly to his profession until 1819, when he 
and Major Morgan became proprietors of the old hotel at the corner of 
Water street, which was established by Lewis Keeler and was afterward 
kept by Judge McKinney. The new landlords, Robinson & Morgan, 
gave to the house the name " Binghamton Hotel," and made it one of 
the most famous hostelries in the region; and it long maintained an 
honorable standing in the village. After ten years in hotel business 
Dr. Robinson returned to the dry goods trade, and so continued until 
1833 when he was appointed postmaster, being the second incumbent 
of that office after the village was called Binghamton. In political cir- 
cles Dr. Robinson was a conspicuous figure, and was looked upon as 
one of the influential men of the county. He was justice of the peace 
and one of the Common Pleas judges in 1811, and in 1823 was made 
first judge of the court. Dr. Robinson lived through three distinct 
periods of local history, having witnessed the growth of the hamlet of 
Chenango Point into the village of Binghamton, and the ultimate char- 
tered city of the same name. He died in November, 1867. He was 
the father of the late General John C, Henry L, and Erasnu, D. Rob- 
inson. Dr. Robinson's daughter became the wife of Major Augustus 
Morgan. 

In 1810 one Atwell came to the village and set up a blacksmith shop 
on a part of the site of the Phoenix (Exchange) Hotel. Atwell was 
also a noted violinist and soon won favor in the community by teaching 
dancing among the village youth (and incidentally to many who had 
passed the age called youth), accompanying his instruction with music 
from his ever ready fiddle. 

Two other men carne to the village in this year. They were George 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. S6 

Park and Marshall Lewis, the latter the father of Hazard Lewis, and 
the grandfather of the late Frederick Lewis and also of the wife of Col. 
Clinton F. Paige. 

George Park, or, as he was more familiarly known to our people for 
half a century, "Squire" Park, was a native of Dutchess county, a 
lawyer by profession, a mineralogist and archeologist by taste and in- 
clination, and, by long association with the pioneers of the locality, a 
recognized authority on all historical subjects. His collection of min- 
erals was large and his manuscripts and drawings relating to early 
events in Binghamton were much prized by all descendants of pioneers; 
but all are now scattered and lost. For more than three-score years 
Squire Park was a familiar figure on our streets, and he, too, was one 
of the few men who lived to witness the growth of Binghamton from a 
mere hamlet to a progressive city. 

Soon after Marshall Lewis moved into the village he built a saw and 
grist mill at the head of Water street, as afterward laid out. The mills 
stood on the south bank of the "raceway," and an increased water 
power was secured by a dam across the branch of the river which flowed 
east of the island. Even in early times this was a busy locality, and 
the logs were piled high all over the mill yard, which included nearly 
all the land south of Ferry street and w^est of Washington street. On 
the death of Marshall Lewis, his son. Hazard Lewis, succeeded to the 
business, and was one of the most enterprising men of the village for 
many years. During his career he engaged in extensive land and lum- 
bering operations, acquiring a competency and a property in land near 
the head of Washington street that in itself was worth a fortune. Col. 
Lewis was associated in business with such men as Christopher Eldredge 
and John A. Collier, and was at least an equal factor with them in build- 
ing up a progressive village. He was chiefly instrumental in securing 
the construction of a bridge across the Chenango on the site of the 
present Ferry street bridge, thus opening for sale a desirable tract of 
land in the vicinity now called Dwightville, but which was formerly 
known as " Dickinson's brook meadow location." 

The Lewis saw mill continued in active operation as long as good 
growing timber stood on the neighboring hillsides, and as long as the 
Chenango river was a waterway for rafting logs. The grist mill sur- 
vived after the saw mill was abandoned, but now the entire locality 
of these once thriving industries is covered with large brick buildings 
occupied for entirely different manufacturing enterprises, and the old 



86 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

water power has been almost wholly superseded by steam. Water 
street has been extended across the old mill yard and a substantial 
bridge spans the raceway, thus connecting the island with the mainland. 

The island, too, has seen many changes under the ever progressive 
hand of man, which, previous to about twenty years ago, was a large 
area of unoccupied land, covered with splendid trees and a thick growth 
of alders and nettles, the latter being particularly annoying to the 
troops of village boys who in summer bathed in the race or ran like 
Indians through the dense thickets of the island. (The writer believes 
that at least a hundred of our present business men can attest the truth 
of this remark. ) 

Several substantial buildings are now on the south end of the island 
and the heavy bridge abutments of two trunk line railroad companies 
find a secure resting place in its soil. Originally this was known as 
Lyon's Island, and afterward as Gray's Island, in allusion to its owner, 
Arthur Gray, who also owned the mainland east of the river, but later 
on, with each succeeding owner, the name was changed. It was after- 
ward called Lewis' Island, and now Noyes' Island. For several years 
there has been a strong inclination in business circles to surround this 
desirable tract with a substantial retaining wall and thus make its entire 
area available for practical ventures. In this way the land bounded by 
Ferry and Water streets, Spice alley and the river has been made of 
great value by the enterprise of the late Moses T. Morgan. (The local 
wiseacres shook their heads dubiously when Mr. Morgan began the ex- 
pensive and questionable work of building a retaining wall from Court 
to Ferry street, but ultimate results have shown the wisdom of his 
judgment, as several acres of valuable land have thereby been made 
available for business purposes and many of our best manufacturing 
enterprises have been established thereon. The entire region between 
the streets mentioned has been filled to a depth varying from six to 
fifteen feet, and all the buildings are on made land. Indeed, from 
Court to Ferry street, west of Water street, nearly the whole surface 
had been raised, but the Court street vicinity was brought to grade 
long before Mr. Morgan became a unit in Binghamton history). 

Lewis St. John came from Canaan, Conn., in 1811, and settled on the 
road leading south f rcnn Chenango village to the Point, in what was then 
the town of Union. In 1815 he purchased from Daniel Le Roy a farm 
tract of about 107 acres of land lying west of what is now Front street, 
extending from the Susquehanna river north to a point about 600 feet 



GROWTH AND DEVEI.OPMENT. S-J 

south of Main street. For this excellent piece of land Mr. St. John 
paid $20 per acre. It is now one of the most desirable portions of the 
city for dwelling houses, many of the average building lots being now 
worth more than was originally paid for the entire tract. For many 
years Mr. St. John occupied his land exclusively for farm purposes, but 
after the village had acquired a considerable population, and business 
men began looking for residence sites away from the trading center, 
this part of "Canada," as it was called forty and more years ago, was 
subdivided and offered for sale in lots. At that early day several of the 
most pretentious homes in the village were erected in that vicinity. 
Less than thirty-five years ago there was not a building of consequence 
between the St. John dwelling and the corner, and Johnson place, and 
the highway was known as "the river road." Now the street name 
is changed to Riverside drive. Both sides are now lined with resi- 
dences which, as a class, are the most beautiful and expensive in the 
city. Naturally, the growth, subdivision and sale before mentioned re- 
sulted in a splendid fortune for Mr. St. John, all of which was left as an 
inheritance to his children. Lewis St. John's children were Vincent 
and Halmina, the latter of whom married Locy Halsted. Vincent St. 
John's children were Nelson A., who lives in the house built by his 
father, Mrs. David E. Cronin, and Lewis St. John, of Greene. 

Myron Merrill was another prominent settler in the village in 1811, 
moving here from Chenango county, where his parents settled in 1800. 
He began business as hatter in a building standing near the west end 
of the bridge on the north side of the street. In 1818 he purchased the 
property at the corner of Main and Front streets (where now stands 
the Wilkinson building), paying for a large lot the sum of $1,100. From 
the time he began business to the day of his death Myron Merrill was 
a worthy and conspicuous character in village history, and was, withal, 
one of the best men of his time in the place. His efforts were reward- 
ed with substantial success, and he richly deserved all that he received. 
With Joshua Whitney and Stephen Weed, he erected a large stone 
building on the north side of Court street, nearly opposite the old Bing- 
hamton hotel. Here Mr. Merrill was in business many years, and 
among his partners may be recalled the names of Richard Mather 
(1823-27), Isaac Leavenworth (1828-35), and still later Mr. Root. The 
store of Merrill & Root was for years the common resort of the leading 
men of the village who met to discuss general and political topics ; and 
it is said that many Democratic doctrines and consequent propositions 



88 BlNGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

were originated in and promulgated from this special location. Mr. 
Merrill always kept the old home property at the corner of Front street. 
The house stood on ground about six or eight feet above the street, and 
commanded a pleasant view in every direction. Alfred Merrill, much 
of whose life has been spent in the west, was a son, and Mrs. Lewis S. 
Abbott was a daughter, of Myron Merrill. 

Joseph B. Abbott, who was for many years a familiar figure on our 
streets, and who was more frequently known as Colonel Abbott, came 
to Ciienango Point in 1811 with the family of Lewis St. John. He was 
then twelve years old, and very soon afterward began to make his own 
way in life. He was apprenticed to James Squires to learn the tanner's 
trade, but after his term had expired, and he had become a practical 
tanner, young Abbott traveled through Pennsylvania, Maryland and 
Virginia to acquaint himself with the business branch of the trade and 
also to form the acquaintance of men operating tanneries. Mr. Abbott 
had then determined to launch out in business for himself and wanted 
to have a practical understanting of all its details. In 18'21 he married 
the daughter of Lewis Squires, and in partnership with his father-in-law 
soon afterward started a tannery about on the site of that part of State 
street lying immediately south of Court street and extending thence 
south and west to include a p:)rtion of the land in rear of the Exchange 
hotel property, where the Kent building now stands. (When the latter 
was built, a few years ago, the workmen in excavating for the founda- 
tion walls found portions of the old vat timbers which had been placed 
there nearly three quarters of a century before.) 

Col. Abbott's first business venture was successful, and in 1828 he 
and Mr. Squires erected the once well-known " Broome County house," 
on the site of the present Exchange hotel building. The property was 
soon sold to Lorenzo Seymour for $10,000. The building was burned 
in the disastrous fire of 1838. At a later period Col. Abbott was part- 
ner with Marshall H. Weed (father of James B. and Fred. M. Weed) in a 
tannery on the site of the Wilkinson plant just below the Rockbottom 
dam. Still later he was partner with his brothers, William E. and 
Charles N. Abbott, both of whom were well known in Binghamton for 
many years. His son, Lewis S. Abbott, was his last partner (the latter 
still lives and is one of the few sons of pioneers now in the city). Col. 
Abbott was engaged in active business for many years, and his life of 
industry and frugality was well rewarded with a comfortable fortune. 
He at one time lived in a dwelling house standing on the northwest 



\ 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 89 

corner of Washington and Hawley streets. Lewis S. Abbott was for 
many years supervisor from his ward in the city, and was regarded as 
one of the most valuable men who ever represented the city in that 
body. 

William E. and Charles N. Abbott came to Binghamton much later 
than the colonel, and began their partnership with him in 1836. Both 
are now dead. John W., Joseph B., jr., Fred and Frank Abbott were 
sons of William E. Abbott, and Charles E., James and Ed. N. Abbott 
were sons of Charles. 

James C. Smead was another worthy settler in the village in 1812. 
He started a blacksmith shop on Water street on the site where three 
generations of his family carried on the same business. James C. 
Smead, the pioneer, was succeeded by his son James, and the latter, in 
turn, was followed by his son Charles (everybody knew him as 
"Charlie"), who died in the prime of manhood. The Water street 
property is still owned in the family. 

Major Augustus Morgan, whose name is frequently mentioned in 
preceding pages of this chapter, came to the village in 1812, and soon 
afterward set up a printing establishment. From that time until his 
death, Sept. 26, 1869, he was one of the leading influential men of this 
region, and was identified in many ways with the best history of Bing- 
hamton. He evidently soon abandoned the printing business, for in 
1819, in company with Dr. Robinson, he undertook the management 
of the hotel on the corner of Court and Water streets, then known as 
the " Binghamton Coffee house," but which name they changed to 
Binghamton hotel and made it one of the most popular hostelries in 
the region. In 1820 Major Morgan established a line of stages, and as 
years passed and new village settlements were built up, other lines 
were opened, until the entire region of southern New York and north- 
ern Pennsylvania was provided with stage and post coaches, and in all 
of which Maj. Morgan was directly interested. As a result of this en- 
terprise on his part Binghamton was given easy communication with 
Albany, Newburgh, New York and Philadelphia, on the east, and the 
entire Genesee country on the west. Binghamton also become a gen- 
eral headquarters, and the hotel in early staging days was always a 
place of busy activity; and it was not an uncommon sight to observe 
dozens of stages and other vehicles standmg around the barns of the 
Binghamton "hotel. By this means, too, many travelers were brought 
into^he villao-e, who either remained or spent their cash, and the results 



90 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

were beneficial to all interests. After ten years in the hotel business 
the proprietors sold out and Maj. Morgan devoted his attention wholly 
to operating the stage lines. He so continued until the business be- 
came unprofitable through the construction and operation of canals and 
railroads. Besides his prominence in business life Maj. Morgan was a 
man of great influence in this locality and enjoyed the confidence and 
respect of the entire community. In later years his sons also became 
closely identified with business interests in the village and city. They 
were Tracy R., Frederick A. and Julius P. Morgan, of whom the first 
and last mentioned are still living. Frederick A. Morgan died in Jan- 
uary, 1899 . He was one of the oldest Odd Fellows in the state, and a 
man much respected in the city. One of Maj. Morgan's daughters 
married William L. Ford. Another daughter married Timothy Mc- 
Namara. Albert C. Morgan, another son of the Major, died in young 
manhood. 

The year 1812 was made memorable in local annals through the 
somewhat unexpected visit of several Indian chiefs, representing the 
former occupants of the region and especially those who claimed rights 
under the seven year reservation of the Castle tract up the Chenango 
river, to which allusion is made in a preceding chapter. The visiting 
chiefs came to repossess themselves of the land on behalf of themselves 
and their ancestors. They laid their case before John A. Collier, who, 
after fairly investigating the facts, informed them they had no valid 
claim to the land , The Indians remained a few days in the locality 
and then quietly departed. 

At that time it was not unusual to see two or more straggling Indians 
loitering about the village, as some of them remained in the vicinity 
many years after their title to the land had been extinguished, and oc- 
casionally were the source of much annoyance to the housewives, for 
they were inveterate beggars, and if the male members of the family 
happened to be absent they were often inclined to be insolent in their 
demands for food and drink. They seemed to know by intuition that 
nearly every well regulated family then kept a jug of good liquor in the 
cupboard . 

The event of 1812 was about the last visit of any considerable body of 
Indians in this locality, and the occasion naturally suggests a brief final 
allusion to the former owners of the territory now comprising our city. 
Prominent among the Indians in this locality in pioneer times was one 
Antonio, commonly known as "Squire Antonio," an Onondaga, who 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 91 

was said to be a chief, and from whom the pioneers gained much infor- 
mation concerning their tribal relations and custons. Squire Park be- 
came well acquainted with Antonio and from him drew a portion of the 
rich fund of Indian recollections for which he was noted among the 
villagers. Antonio was the father of Abraham Antonio, the latter an 
ungrateful, drunken and shiftless creature who attempted to kill his 
sire by pushing him in a fireplace. Still later the young savage com- 
mitted a dastardly murder for which he was hanged in public on the 
hillside just north of Morrisville village, in Madison county. Solomon 
Orcutt, who was born in the adjoining town of Madison, but the greater 
part of whose life was spent in Biughamton, was then a boy, and was 
present at the "hanging." 

In 1813 the village population was increased by the arrival of at least 
four new settlers who afterward played an active part in local history. 
They were Thomas G. Waterman, Dr. AmmiDoubleday, JohnT. Double- 
day and Stephen Weed. In this connection it is both interesting and 
gratifying to state that descendants of each of these pioneers are still 
living in the city, and among them are some of our best business men. 

Thomas G. Waterman, or, as he was more frequently called in the 
village, General Waterman, came from Salisbury, Conn., and was a 
lawyer by profession, though much of his life here was given to other 
pursuits . He was chiefly engaged in lumbering and milling enterprises 
and land operations, and thereby accumulated a fortune. For a time 
he had an office and residence about on the corner of Court and Wash- 
ington streets, on a lot given to his wife as a marriage present by her 
father, General Whitney. In 1818 General Waterman moved into the 
splendid mansion then recently built by him on the west side of Front 
street, and there he afterward lived and died. The property is still 
called the Waterman place, as the old house still stands, though the 
once spacious grounds surrounding it have been reduced by the sale of 
lots and the erection of other dwellings. The once well-known Water- 
man mills were at the foot of what is now Carroll street, about on the 
site of the present Lyon's mills; they narrowly escaped destruction in 
the great flood of 1834. At that time the current of the river so changed 
as to cut a channel several feet deep entirely around the north side of 
the mills, and of such width that a raft could easily pass through it. 

Aside from his extensive business connection Gen. Waterman stood 
high in the estimation of the people of the county. He was an impor- 
tant political factor and held a position of influence in this part of the 



02 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

State. In 1824 he was appointed brig-adier-general of state militia, 
hence the military title by which he was afterward known. On his 
staff were Virgil and Franklin Whitney, Richard Mather and Charles 
W. Palmer, all of whom were popular young men of the village. 

Dr. Ammi Doubleday came from New Lebanon, Columbia county, 
with a determination to locate and begin practice in the Susquehanna 
valley, about which region he had heard many favorable reports. He 
came on horseback and after visiting the village passed on to Berkshire, 
Tioga county. Here he made many friends who earnestly appealed to 
him to remain permanently in that settlement, but the young doctor 
decided not to act hastily, and told his acquaintances that he believed 
the valley of the Susquehanna promised better results than their vicin- 
ity. In the course of a few months he returned to New Lebanon and 
married Susan Pierce (a sister of Harry Pierce who once lived on the 
corner where now stands the Arlington Hotel). With his young wife, 
Dr. Doubleday settled for a few months in Windsor, but in December, 
1813, he came to Binghamton and started a drug store in partnership 
with Dr. Robinson. After a year he sold his interest to his brother, 
John T. Doubleday, and devoted his attention to other pursuits. For 
several years he operated a lime kiln on land eight miles up the Che- 
nango, and may have lived for a time in that vicinity. In 1817 he was 
appointed county clerk, upon which he made his residence on the west 
side of Washington street, between the houses of Mr. Collier and Col. 
Abbott, about opposite the residence of James Squires which then stood 
near the site of the recently known Franklin house. James Prender- 
gast's store and the Mudge building stand very near the site of the 
Doubleday domicile. Later on he built the dwelling in which his 
daughter (Mrs. Dr. Crafts) now lives. 

Dr. Doubleday is remembered as a man of good education, profes- 
sional and general, and as a business man of excellent capacity. He 
had means which he invested judiciously in lands both in the village 
and outside, and their ultimate increase in value yielded him a fortune. 
He owned a valuable lot on Chenango street (opposite the Baptist 
church) on which he built a modern dwelling. He lived here with his 
second wife, whose maiden name was Anna Maria Peck, of a prominent 
Triangle family. Dr. Doubleday had a large family of children by his 
first marriage. They were Henry P., who died young; William T., 
born in Binghamton, March 28, 1818, a clergyman of the Presbyterian 
church, one of the oldest living natives of the city; Ammi (5th), a well 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 93 

known figure on our streets for many years, who died May .25, 1806; 
Maria P., who died young; Susan Pierce, who became the wife of Dr.' 
Edward G. Crafts; John H., much of whose life was spent in Kirk- 
wood; Charles P., who died young; Helen Maria, who married Dr. 
John G. Orton; and Robert B. Doubleday, of Binghamton. Dr. Ammi 
Doubleday died July 13, 1867. 

John T. Doubleday began his business career in the village as clerk 
in the drug store owned by his brother and Dr. Robinson, but after a 
year succeeded the former in the firm. Later on he was deputy county 
clerk under his brother and afterward continued in the office many 
years. In local circles he was a well known figure, and a man highly 
respected throughout the county. He at one time owned the "gun 
house " on Water street, in which the village cannon was stored, and in 
1828 the legislature passed an act authorizing him to remove the build- 
ing to a new site to be determined by the clerk of the county. The 
cannon house building stood about on the site now owned by Peter 
Klee. After many years' residence in the village Mr. Doubleday went 
to New York, where he died. His sons, John Mason, and William Ed- 
ward Doubleday, were afterward prominent business men in that city. 

William B. Doubleday, who is still well remembered by our people, was 
a younger brother of Dr, Doubleday, and came to the village to assist 
the latter in his building and real estate operations. He lived here 
until the time of his death, and is remembered as an eccentric person, 
a sort of recluse. He was a jeweler, clock repairer and piano tuner. 
His wife was Diantha, daughter of Stephen Weed, and sister to War- 
ring S. Weed. His children were Henry H., a pension lawyer at Wash- 
ington, D. C. ; James W., until recently a hardware merchant of this 
city; and Julia Weed Doubleday of Washington. 

Stephen Weed came to Binghamton in 1813 and was one of the first 
builders in the city who made contracts for the erection of large busi- 
ness blocks. He lived here many years and was prominently connected 
with early events in the locality. Mr. Weed acquired a fair property 
but was not wealthy. His children were Diantha, who married Wra. 
B. Doubleday; Warring S., now president of the First National bank; 
and James AlcKander Weed, who died a few years ago. 

Among the unusual events in village history in 1813 was the accident 
that took place in connection with the erection of Christopher Eldredge's 
store, the work on which was done by Benjamin Sawtell. The builder 
followed the custom of the period and had a "raising," as the work of 



94 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

setting- up the frame was called. At the time an army recruiting- offi- 
cer happened to be in the village with his company, and all were in- 
vited to take part in the affair. Of course the men complied, knowing 
very well that a liberal quantity of "good cheer" would be dispensed 
during the progress of the work. The results, however, were unfor- 
tunate, for when the heavy timbers were nearly all in place the entire 
frame fell to the ground, seriously injuring several persons. The 
building was eventually completed and with two others adjoining was 
provided with a brick front. It stood on the site of G. M. Harris' hard- 
ware store. 

John B. Mcintosh came to the village in 1814, and many years after- 
ward worked at tailoring. At one time he lived in a frame house about 
on the site of the present West building. His house stood one story 
above, and two below the level of the roadway leading to the bridge. 
One of Mr. Mcintosh's daughters married the late E. H. Prince, father 
of lawyer Robert E. Prince. Another daughter taught select school in 
the basement of a building standing on the river bank near the " Twin 
Elm," and in rear of the West building. 

Julius Page, better known as General Page, came to the village in 
1814 and found employment in Whitney & Eldredge's store. He was 
a native of Chenango, born 1799, and was the son of Jared Page, a 
pioneer who settled in this vicinity in 1791. In 1820 Julius Page began 
mercantile business in Lisle, but in 1821 removed to the village and 
opened a store in the building afterward occupied by Whiting & Squires, 
between Water and Washington streets. Two years later he moved to 
the south side of Court street, where he continued business several 
years. At one time Robert M. Bailey was partner with General Page. 

vSamuel vSmith came to the village in 1815 and started a tannery and 
currier shop on the west bank of the Chenango river, just below the 
bridge. Squire Smith (he was justice or the peace ten years) at one 
time lived on Le Roy street, but later on built a house on Front street, 
the same which Dr. Brooks afterward occupied. 

Richard Mather, who was more frequently known in Binghamton as 
Deacon Mather, came from Lyme, Mass., in 1815, and was clerk in 
Col. Ely's store. In 1823 he began business for himself, and in the fol- 
lowing year built and occupied the residence on Front street now owned 
by Edward K. Clark. The house on lower Washington street, in 
which he lived so many 5'ears and in which he died, was erected in 
1838. Deacon Mather is remembered as one of Binghamton's most 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 95 

substantial men and one whose influence in the community was always 
for good. He owned the old lime kiln on the east side of the canal, 
near where now is the front part of the armory. He was a devout 
Christian and for many years a deacon in the Presbyterian church. 
His wife was Caroline, daughter of Mason Whiting. One of their chil- 
dren married J. H. De Pue, a former crockery merchant of the village, 
James E., Richard and Rev. John H. De Pue were children of this 
marriage. Another daughter married the late Edwin E. Jackson. Mrs. 
Jackson and Miss Rhoda Mather, another daughter of Richard Mather, 
now live in the city. Mason Mather was a son of Deacon Mather. 

Henry Mather, brother of Richard, was also for many years closely 
identified with business interests in Binghamton, although he did not 
reside here until 1828. He was engaged in various enterprises and for 
many years was partner with his brother in mercantile business. Like 
his brother, Henry Mather was a man of undoubted integrity, of up- 
right Christian character and was highly respected throughout the 
county. His wife was Frances, daughter of Squire Whiting. Mr. 
Mather has been dead several years, but his widow still lives and is 
perhaps the oldest native of Binghamton. Their daughter is the wife 
of Judge George F. Lyon. The late Prof. Richard Henry Mather, of 
the faculty of Amherst college, was the son of Henry Mather. 

Jonas Waterhouse came from New York city in 181G and purchased 
400 acres of land on the south side of the Susquehanna river. The land 
was afterward owned in part by Mr. Eldredge. Mr. Waterhouse kept 
the ferry connecting Water street and the Montrose turnpike, and did 
a good business until the White bridge was built, but later on mis- 
fortunes came and swept away his property. 

John Congdon, more frequently known for many years by reason of 
his prominent connection with the Baptist church and also by reason of 
his upright Christian character, as Deacon John Congdon, came into 
the village in 1813 and was employed in and about Col. Lewis' mills. 
Deacon John was a millwright as well as miller, and at one time 
operated the Lewis mill at the south end of Rockbottom dam. He was 
a highly respected citizen of Binghamton to the time of his death, in 
1871. He was the father of the late Job N. Congdon, the latter being 
one of our foremost citizens for many years; and was also the father 
of Davis and Joel G. Congdon, both of whom are now dead. Deacon 
John probably was the pioneer of his family in this region, as his father 
did not come to the locality until 1816. 



96 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Ezra Congdon, brother to Deacon John, was also a miller, and was 
employed by Col. Lewis from 1815 to 186-^. He built several mills in 
this vicinity and also in the west. For eighteen years he was proprietor 
of a grist mill at Port Dickinson. He died in 1880. The late Edwin 
Congdon was his son, and Fidelia and Angeline Congdon were his 
daughters. 

Joseph Congdon, brother of John and Ezra, came to the village in or 
soon after 1816 and kept tavern on the corner where now stands the 
City National bank. Later on he was a teamster between this village 
and New York city. He afterward removed to a farm on Congdon 
hill, but at length returned to the village, where he "took the census" 
in 1830 and again in 1840. After the completion of the canal he was 
employed in the canal office in this place. Mr. Congdon died in 1859. 
His sons were Nathaniel C, George, John G. and Jesse H. Congdon; 
and his daughters were vSophia L., Eliza L., Martha W. and Sarah M. 
Congdon. 

John Congdon, father of the sons above mentioned, came from Bran- 
don, Vermont, in 181G and settled on the now known Cutler farm, on 
the west side of the Chenango a few miles above the city. He had a 
large family and at one time all his sons and daughters lived in this 
locality, and several of them in the village. The sons were Joseph, 
Ezra, Job, John, Nathaniel, Elias and Joel G. Congdon. The daughters 
were Susannah, Dolly, Betsey, Lois and Lavina Congdon. 

Philip Bigler came from New Jersey to Union in 1805, and in 1817 
located in Binghamton. He was a baker and was probably the pioneer 
of that branch of business in the village. He was the father of Simon, 
William and James Bigler, all of whom were formerly well known in 
this locality. Philip Bigler, clerk in the First National bank, is the 
great-grandson of the pioneer. 

David Tupper, a sturdy Connecticut Yankee, came from old Tolland, 
Conn., to Binghamton in 1816, remained here three months and then re- 
turned east for his family. On January 9, 1817, the family came and took 
up a residence on Main street, on the site where now stands J. Stuart 
Wells' residence. Six months later the}' removed to the site of the 
residence of the late B. F. Sisson. Mr. Tupper was a carpenter and 
millwright, and built several saw and grist mills for Col. Lewis, one of 
which was at the south end of the Rockbottom dam. Pioneer Tupper 
lived in Binghamton to the time of his death, Sept. 27, 1841. His 
children were Mason, a well known figure in local history many years, 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 'J7 

and father of Mason F., Charles F. and Nathaniel E. Tupper, of this ' 
city; Maria A., widow of the late Abial C. Canoll, now aged 87 years; 
Sarah ; Catharine, who married the late Samuel W. Rogers, the old 
village justice; Charles, a carpenter now living in Chicago; Nancy; 
Ann; and Lydia, who married John P. Worthing. 

Major Martin Hawley, for whom the village of Hawleyton was named, 
came to Binghamton in 1818 and bought of Gen. Whitney the store on 
the south side of Court street, just below Rexford's corner, where he 
began business in partnership with Gilbert Tompkins. The latter con- 
ducted the store while Major Hawley turned his attention to land 
operations. With Col. Reuben Tower he purchased 70 acres compris- 
ing the eastern portion of the village tract, which he subdivided and 
sold in lots. In 1829 he purchased 2500 acres of the Cooper tract, 
which included nearly all that part of the town of Binghamton south of 
the Bingham patent line. On this tract were about 20 squatter families, 
but neither they nor the previous owners considered the land of any value 
for agricultural purposes. To settle the question Major Hawley moved 
on the tract in 1833, and three years of faithful effort satisfied him that 
this locality was as fertile and productive under proper cultivation as any 
in the county. Thereafter he had no difficulty in disposing of farms to 
settlers. The late James Hawley, through whose efforts the Hawley 
turnpike (a part of which is now called Pennsylvania avenue) was laid 
out, was a son of Major Hawley. A daughter of Major Hawley mar- 
ried Elias Hawley, the latter being for many years a prominent citizen 
of Binghamton. Elias Hawley lived at the corner of Washington and 
Susquehanna streets. He was the father of Mrs. S. Mills Ely. 

John Butler came to Binghamton with his famil}^ in 1820, and settled 
on the west side of the Chenango river when there were less than half 
a dozen houses on Main and Front streets. In the Butler family were 
three sons. Nelson, Joel and Lewis, all of whom were more or less 
identified with early village history. Nelson Butler learned the black- 
smith's trade with Horatio Smead. Fire Commissioner Irving W. Butler 
is the son of Nelson Butler. 

Among the later settlers in the village were many who occupied 
positions of prominence in business and professional life, but as our 
narrative has already been extended beyond the days of pioneership 
mention of the new comers must be brief. Still, our record would 
hardly be complete without at least a passing allusion to those of more 
recent settlement here who were identified with Binghamton 's history. 
7 



98 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

In 1820 Jeremiah Campbell came and started a blacksmith shop and 
for many years afterward worked at his trade in the village. He was 
a respected citizen always. 

Thomas and James Evans came in 1821 and were for many years 
identified with village growth and prosperity. They were tinsmiths 
and started in business on the corner of Court and Washington streets. 
They were also industrious, thrifty and prosperous and accumulated a 
fair property. James, however, seems to have been the money-maker 
of the firm and acquired a fortune. Thomas Evans erected a frame 
building at the southeast corner of Court and Washington streets, in 
which location the brothers carried on business several years. James 
then retired from the firm and was succeeded by Horatio Evans, son of 
Thomas. In 1834 Horatio and Alfred J. Evans became proprietors 
and for the next four years conducted one of the largest establishments 
in the region, furnishing employment to many workmen. Their store 
was on the corner lot, but in the rear was a large shop and factory 
building used for tinsmithing and sheet-iron w^orking. However, on 
June 19, 1838, a serious fire destroyed all the buildings and ruined 
nearly all the tools and machinery. The buildings were then owned by 
Horatio Evans, and they were well insured, but the business panic 
which prevailed about that time had so crippled the companies that of 
more than $50,000 insurance he realized only about $1,000. This mis- 
fortune swept away nearly all of Mr. Evans' fortune, but he afterward 
built on the corner the well-known " Eagle building," which still stands, 
and also retained his 160 acre farm tract south of the Susquehanna 
river. This property, which lay east of Telegraph street, was for many 
years used solely for farming purposes, but with the constant growth 
of the city it was subdivided into building lots, yielding its owner a 
competency. 

Horatio Evans was for many years one of Binghamton's most re- 
spected men, an earnest Christian and a faithful member of the Epis- 
copal church. He died a few years ago. His sons were John Evans, 
civil engineer and contractor, and Major Edwin Evans, who for nearly 
twenty years has been steward of the Binghamton State hospital. Ho- 
ratio Evans' daughters were Elizabeth (Mrs. J. Lewis Weed), Harriet 
(Mrs. Kress), and Lucy Evans. 

Alfred J. Evans was a son of Thomas Evans and for many years was 
engaged in the jewelry trade in the city. The prominent firm of Evans 
& Manning is still well remembered by our business men. Mr. Evans, 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 99 

throughout the long period of his career was much respected both in 
business and social circles. He was a modest, retiring and thoroughly 
conscientious man. 

Edwin T. Evans was another son of Thomas Evans, the pioneer, and 
is remembered as an early merchant in the village. He married a 
daughter of Judge Stuart, and built and lived in the brick house at 
the corner of Washington and Stuart streets. A daughter of Thomas 
Evans married Joshua Whitney, son of General Whitney, She still 
resides in the old homestead in the east part of the city, and is one of 
the surviving daughters of early settlers. 

Samuel Peterson, who has been mentioned as landlord of the old 
tavern on the corner of Main and Front streets, came to the village in 
1821. Hamilton Collier, a well-known lawyer in later years, came in 
1823. Dr. Silas West, of whom mention is made in the medical chap- 
ter, and who is remembered as one of the most prominent physicians 
of the village for many years, came in 1822. David Lanterman came 
the same year and was partner with Dr. West in the drug business, 
the firm occupying the " red store" on Water street. In 1830 Lanter- 
man and Solon Stocking became partners and did business in the for- 
merly known "Centre buildings," on the south side of Court street, be- 
tween Water street and the bridge. Mr. Lanterman was a prominent 
man in village politics and was actively interested in the growth of the 
place. He was village trustee in 1837. 

In 1823 Charles Aldrich moved from the town of Union to the village 
and occupied a log house standing about where Horatio Evans after- 
ward lived. Later on he moved across the river and lived in a house 
on the east bank of Brandy wine creek. While living here he made 
brick for General Whitney, the brickyard being up the creek and near 
the yard afterward owned by Allen Perkins. Charles Aldrich was one 
of the earliest practical brick makers in this vicinity and worked at the 
trade many years. At a later date he lived in a plain plank house 
which stood near the site afterward occupied by the Phelps mansion. 
He next moved to the Moore farm on the south side of the Susque- 
hanna. The sons of Charles Aldrich were Charles, Solomon and Isaac, 
each of whom has been more or less identified with subsequent village 
and city history. Charles was a brick maker, living on Mary street, 
and worked for Elmer W. Brighara in a brick yard that included much 
of the land between Mitchell avenue and Mary street, and extended 
south about twenty rods from Vestal ave. Solomon Aldrich was for 

LofC. 



100 HINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

many years a contracting builder and afterward a dealer in real estate. 
Isaac was a carpenter and joiner for about half a century. 

John Peter Wentz was the pioneer head of one of the largest and 
most prominent families who settled in the Susquehanna valley. His 
descendants in the county and city also have been numerous, and have 
included men in almost every business calling in life. In 1793 John 
Peter Wentz, with his wife and two children, Elizabeth and John, and a 
negro servant, left Pennsylvania and started for New York state. At 
Great Bend the pioneer purchased a scow, on which he loaded his fam- 
ily, effects and mules, and floated down the river to Kirkwood, where 
he made a settlement. In 1806 he removed to lot No. 16, Bingham's 
patent; thence to the south side of the river, and finally on August 26, 
1827, removed to the village of Binghamton, where he died Jan. 4, 
1833. His children were Elizabeth; John, the fifer; William, "Uncle 
Billy," the surveyor; Justus, the old deputy sheriff and jailer; Peter, a 
prominent citizen of Binghamton and Waverly, a local preacher of the 
M. E. church, an abolitionist of great prominence, and the father of 
John E. Wentz, city assessor, and seven other children; Catharine, 
wife of George Hanna; Jacob, the lumberman and raftsman ; vSally, 
wife of Albert Orser; Julia, who married John Swartwood, father of 
Mrs. Miles Leonard ; and George H. Wentz. 

William Wentz, who was commonly known in the village as " Dutch 
Billy," in order to distinguish him from "Uncle Billy," the surveyor, 
although one was as much of a " Dutchman" as the other, being de- 
scended from the same ancestral head, was born in Northampton, Pa., 
in 1789, and came to Binghamton in 1822. He set up a cooper shop 
on the corner of Susquehanna and Water streets and carried on busi- 
ness in that locality many years. The old shop still stands on the lot 
next north of the corner and is occupied for dwelling purposes. Mr. 
Wentz was one of the respected men of the village for more than half 
a century, and was a strong supporter of the M. E. church. He died 
Jan. 23, 1873. He was twice married, and had a family of seven chil- 
dren, one of whom, by his second wife, is James Monroe Wentz, once a 
clerk in Col. Ely's store and now one of the most wealthy men of New- 
burg, N. Y. 

William Wentz, the school teacher and surveyor, was born in the 
town of Chenango, Feb. 18, 1794, and died in this city about ten years 
ago. His collection of maps, surveys, field notes and other documents 
of a quasi public nature, were of great value and of much historic interest, 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 101 

yet Upon his death they were allowed to be scattered and lost. Mr. 
Wentz began his career as a school teacher, and in 1812 was clerk in a 
store in Lehigh county, Pa. In 1813 he was clerk in a recruiting office 
in Willkesbarre, and during that summer he enlisted about 70 men for 
service during the war of 1812-15. He then returned to Corbettsville 
and worked as clerk in the only store between Binghamton and Great 
Bend. In 1815 he opened a store at Park's tavern, in Kirkwood, pur- 
chasing his stock through the assistance of Daniel Le Roy and Judge 
McKinney, to whom he gave security; but as his venture was unsuc- 
cessful his entire property was sacrificed to pay debts. In 1818 he be- 
gan teaching school at the northeast corner of Washington and Hawley 
streets, and in 1821 he took a school on the south side of the Susque- 
hanna river (either the school on the Moore farm or that which once 
stood near the site of Columbus Stevens' present residence on Conklin 
avenue). Soon afterward he gave his entire attention to surveying, 
and in 1824-5 he surveyed every lot in Bingham patent and also about 
8000 acres east of Chenango Forks, the latter a part of the estate of 
Gov. John Jay. In 1834 he made the preliminary surveys for the Erie 
railroad between Elmira and Deposit, and at one time he was resident 
engineer of the road between Binghamton and Deposit. In 1868 he 
located about 30 miles of road for the Albany and Susquehanna R. R. 
company. Mr. Wentz was twice married. His children were Delisle 
P., Erasmus Livingston, Aseneth, Phebe C. (first wife of the late 
Francis T. Newell), Margaret R., Permela S. and William W., by his 
first wife, and Charles H., Adalaide A., Myra I., Frances J., William 
W., Francis E. and Richard W., by his second marriage. 

Jesse and Giles Orcutt came to the village about 1823 from Madison 
county, where their father was a pioneer. They were for many years 
identified with local growth and history, as also were their brothers 
vSolomon, Luther and Paul, and several sisters, who came soon after 
them. Jesse and Giles were hotel keepers of much prominence, and 
all the brothers, except Luther and Paul, were more or less engaged 
in the same occupation. In his later life Giles Orcutt kept a livery 
stable in this city. At one time he was partner with his brother Sol- 
omon in the dry goods and grocery business. Jesse was a hotel keeper 
throughout the active portion of his life, and was closely identified with 
the civil history of the village. Solomon Orcutt is said to have been 
the first practical baker in the village, and kept a bake shop on the 
canal bank. He was also a famous bugler, and on frequent occasions 



102 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

displayed his musical ability on the packet boats on the Chenango 
canal. His bakery was sold to Pope & Tucker, and the latter were 
succeeded by Duncan R. Grant, the veteran baker who still lives in the 
city. Luther Orcutt, the only one of the brothers now living, learned 
the baker's trade with his brother Solomon, but left Binghamton many 
years ago for a residence in Corning. Paul Orcutt, who was a butcher 
by trade, died many years ago. Of the sisters above mentioned who 
came to live in Binghamton, Maria married Amos Barnes; Emeline 
died unmarried; Tryphena married Edwin H. Freeman, father of E. 
H. Freeman, our former postmaster; and Maria married Lewis Cole. 

Rev. Solon Stocking, a clergyman of the M. E. church, came to 
Binghamton in 1824. In less than two years failing health compelled 
his retirement from the ministry, and in 1826 he began mercantile busi- 
ness. In 1828-9 he erected the "Centre buildings," on the site after- 
ward occupied by the more commodious structure called Stocking 
block, and also La Fayette block, both in allusion to La Fayette Stock- 
ing. 

Oliver Bradford, who is remembered as a watchmaker and silver- 
smith of many years' residence in the village, came here in 1824. In 
1825 Thomas Allen came and set up a harness and saddler's shop just 
west of "Collier's corner," as the site of the McNamara building was 
at one time called. Mr. Allen was father of Alfred Allen and Mrs. John 
E. Williams. John D. vSmith came the same year. He was a farmer, 
a prominent Methodist, and was the father of Lewis L. Smith, the lat- 
ter for many years a merchant in the city. 

William Slosson, who died Feb. 12, 1899, aged 98 years, 6 months, 21 
days, came to Binghamton from Richmond, Mass., in 1825, and lived in 
the village just 25 years. While here he was proprietor of a cloth dress- 
ing and wool carding mill at "Lewis Mills," as the busy locality at the 
head of Water street was once known. Mr. Slosson was an industrious, 
upright citizen, for whom all our people had great respect. In 1850 he 
removed to a farm at Chenango Bridge, where he afterward lived and 
died. He had a family of three sons and five daughters, one of the for- 
mer being Henry Andrew Slosson, one of our worthy citizens, and an 
acknowledged authority on all local subjects of general interest. 

Rev. Peter Lockwood came to Binghamton in August, 1827, to supply 
the pulpit of the Presbyterian church, relieving the pastor who was in 
feeble health. The following year the pastor died and Mr. Lockwood 
succeeded him. This relation was continued until 1833 and was then 



GROWTH AND DEVKI.OPMENT. 103 

dissolved at Mr. Lockwood's request, he himself then being in impaired 
health. After spending a winter in the south he returned in 1834, and 
in order to educate his children, and at the same time to occupy his 
attention with some profitable employment, he opened a select school 
for boys. Thus it was that Mr. Lockwood was once a school master in 
the village, as is mentioned in the educational chapter of this work. 
From 1837 to 1847 Mr. Lockwood spent much of his time away from 
Binghamton, but in the year last mentioned he returned permanently 
and lived in the old homestead at the corner of Chenango and Lewis 
streets (which was built in 1828 and is still standing) until his death, 
November 16, 1879. Mr. Lockwood was the owner of a large tract of 
land adjoining the Erie railroad, and its subdivision and sale yielded 
a fortune. 

Isaiah Matthews first visited Binghamton in 1820 and found the vil- 
lage tract, outside the settled district, so thickly covered with scrub 
oak that he went on down the river to Nichols, where he made a set- 
tlement. In his family were twelve children, and several of his sons 
afterward came to Binghamton and were closely identified with its best 
history. Ephraim F. Matthews, who was perhaps better known as 
" Deacon " Matthews, was the eldest son. He came here about 1828 
or '29 and started a plow factory on the east side of what is now State 
street, and on the site of where now stands I. S. Matthews' Sons' store. 
Isaiah vS. Matthews was partner with the deacon in the plow works 
about ten or twelve years, after which the latter removed to his farm 
west of the village. Stephen and Joseph Matthews, also brothers of 
the deacon, were employed in the plow factory several years, but were 
not permanent residents here. Isaiah S. continued in business in Bing- 
hamton many years, eventually changing from plow making to dealing 
in agricultural implements generally. In this line he was a pioneer in 
the village, and was, withal, one of our most upright business men. His 
sons succeeded to the business on the death of their father, thus con- 
tinuing in direct descent one of the oldest mercantile houses in Bing- 
hamton.. 

John De Voe came from Cayuga county about 1825 and was partner 
with William Slosson in wool carding and cloth dressing at Lewis Mills. 
About 1860 Mr. De Voe removed to a small farm west of the village. 
His children were Julia, who married Thomas J. Clark; Henry, of this 
city; Benjamin, the veteran Republican and former internal revenue 
collector, whose familiar form is seen daily on our public streets; and 
Mary, who died young . 



104 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Charles W. Sanford and Levi Dimmick were important acquisitions 
to the village in 1828, and for the next three years were partners in 
mercantile business. The firm was then dissolved but in business cir- 
cles both its former members were for many years afterward exceed- 
ingly prominent figures. Mr. Sanford was interested in various enter- 
prises, mercantile and otherwise, but gradually drifted into real estate 
and loaning investments. He accumulated a fortune and occupied a 
high position among business men. He was vice-president of the Bank 
of Binghamton from 1852 until that institution was merged in the City 
National bank, and continued with the latter in the same position till 
1868, when he was elected president. Mr. Sanford died in 1870. His 
residence was at the corner of Henry and Chenango streets, and is now 
owned by Dr. Chas. W. McCall. 

Levi Dimmick may have been less successful than his partner, Mr. 
Sanford, in accumulating wealth, but he achieved a greater prominence 
in social and political circles. But Mr. Dimmick was a good and rea- 
sonably successful business man and had numerous friends all through 
the county. He was a contractor and at one time was associated in 
business with his son Henry. The latter died comparatively early in 
life but is still remembered as one of the popular young men of the vil- 
lage; his wife was Emily E., daughter of Captain Marinus Pierce. (Mrs. 
Dimmick afterwards became the wife Wm. S. Lawyer, and died March 
13, 1898.) Levi Dimmick was sheriff of the county in 1840-43, and 
was state senator in 1850-51, resigning the latter office Nov. 12, 185L 
After his election to that office Mr. Dimmick was always addressed as 
" Senator." 

The Bartlett family in Binghamton, so well known in county, village 
and city history for a period of nearly three-quarters of a century, were 
the descendants of Captain Isaac and Col. Loring Bartlett, natives of 
Salisbury, -Conn. In 1813, according to well authenticated Tioga 
county records, Capt. Bartlett and his family settled in Owego. The 
pioneer himself was a blacksmith and wagon maker, while his sons 
Joseph and Robert S. were gunsmiths. The children in the family 
were Eliza, Joseph, Alvin, Robert S., Abigail, Isaac L., Jerusha, Will- 
iam B. and Charles Bartlett, not all of whom, however, settled in 
Binghamton, nor did all of them come with the pioneer to Owego. 
The representatives of Col. Loring Bartlett's family in Broome county 
were Dorcas, George and Phebe Bartlett, all of whom lived and died 
in this city. Loring Bartlett never lived in this state. Isaac and Lor- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 105 

ing Bartlett were sons of Sylvanus Bartlett, and grandsons of vSylvanus 
Bartlett, sr., the latter a patriot of the Revolution. The family in 
America was descended from Robert Bartlett, who came to Plymouth 
on the ship Ann in 1623, and was of Puritan stock. Some of the de- 
scendants of Robert afterward settled in Salisbury, Conn., and from 
them sprung the branch of the family that came into southern New 
York. 

In 1829 Capt. Isaac Bartlett and his family removed from Owego to 
Bingham ton, and with the best interests and history of the latter muni- 
cipality his sons and their children were afterward identified. Joseph 
and Robert S. were gunsmiths and started a shop on the north side of 
Court street, between the site of the present Sisson building and the 
corner next east. Their property was taken by the State in the con- 
struction of the canal, after which they purchased land on the west side 
of Franklin street (now Washington), where for a period of about fifteen 
years they carried on an extensive gun making business, employing at 
times as many as twenty- five workmen. Isaac L. Bartlett was prob- 
ably associated with his older brothers in gun making, and in the same 
building he also made plows. Soon after 1850 the manufacture of guns 
by machinery in the large cities seriously interfered with the success 
of the Bartlett factory in this village, therefore the business was closed 
and the building was sold to Mr. Tichenor. In the meantime, while 
their business was yielding good results, Joseph and Robert S. Bartlett 
purchased a large farm east of the village, and placed it in charge of 
their father. After selling out in the village Joseph Bartlett moved to 
the farm and afterward lived there nearly his whole life time, Joseph 
Bartlett was for inany years closely identified with Broome county his- 
tory, and was, withal, one of the most prominent men in this locality. 
He filled various public offices, the most important of which, perhaps, 
was that of sheriff, from 1844 to 1847. He was at one time superin- 
tendent of this division of the Chenango canal, and in many other ways 
associated with the history of this region. His wife was Deborah Caf- 
ferty, of an old and highly respected family in Union. They raised to 
maturity a large and interesting family of children, several of whom in 
later years occupied positions of distinction in business, professional 
and political life. 

These children were William Alvin, the noted divine of Chicago and 
Washington, but now living in New York; Joseph J., who became a 
major-general in the Union army during the war of 1801-65, and was 



106 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

afterward appointed U. S. minister to Norway and Sweden; Frederick, 
who was a sea captain many years and who with his vessel was lost and 
never afterward heard of ; Robert, Frank, L. Chester, a major on his 
brother's military staff, once sheriff of Broome county and also mem- 
ber of assembly; Benjamin, Henry, Edward, Julia, and one other 
child who died young. 

Robert S. Bartlett lived in Binghamton from 1829 to the time of 
his death, July 23, 1881. He is remembered as a man of quiet and 
conservative habits, whose chief aim in life was the comfort of his 
family and the welfare of the village and city. He was connected 
with the village government in various capacities, such as collector, 
highway commissioner, school district trustee and assessor. He was 
deputy sheriff under his brother and also deputy under the latter in 
the canal superintendency. He was appointed railway mail agent 
in 1853 and served in that capacity until about five years before his 
death. His wife was Dorcas M., daughter of Col. Loring Bartlett. 
Their children were Eliza, who married Oilman L. Sessions; John S., 
of Buffalo, for more than twenty years northwestern passenger agent of 
the Erie railroad ; James H. Bartlett, deputy postmaster at Bingham- 
ton; George, now of Binghamton but formerly freight agent of the 
Northern Central railroad at Elmira; and Anna Bartlett, who married 
Oliver W. Sears and now lives in the old homestead on Court street. 

Isaac L. Bartlett, for many years one of our most prominent business 
men, was born in Salisbury, Conn., June 20, 1813. He came with his 
father's family to Binghamton in 1829, and soon associated with his 
brother in their gun factory. In their Franklin street shop he added a 
plow making branch to the business, which he carried on several years. 
He afterward started a yard on the canal bank and dealt extensively in 
hard and soft lumber. In 1864 the firm of Blanchard & Bartlett was 
formed, and purchased the old Collier mill on the corner of Hawley 
street and the canal. Later on the firm purchased the Kenyon & New- 
ton mill, which stood on the north bank of the Susquehanna, below the 
Rockbottom dam . This plant was destroyed by fire, after which the 
firm operated the Collier mill, doing a general lumber manufacturing 
business, until 1867, when the Evans warehouse property on the east 
side of the " basin " was purchased, rebuilt and made into a large sash, 
blind and door factory and planing mill. The buildings were subse- 
quently enlarged until the factory became one of the largest in south- 
ern New York. John W. Rowlingson came into the firm about 1873, 




ISAAC L. BARTLETT. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 107 

but two years later, through business misfortunes, the entire property 
passed into the hands of Bartlett Bros. (Arthur S. & Charles J. Bart- 
lett.) The junior partner died in September, 1886, upon which the 
firm name was changed to Bartlett & Co., as since known in business 
circles. Isaac L. Bartlett, the founder in fact of this leading industry, 
died December 20, 1888, after almost sixty years of active business life 
and of residence in Binghamton. He was much respected in social and 
business circles, and is remembered especially for his exemplary habits 
and correct life. His wife, with whom he married in May, 1846, was 
Emily Banks of Bridgeport, Conn. Their children were Arthur wS. , 
now senior partner in the firm of Bartlett & Co. ; Laura B., who mar- 
ried Herbert E. Smith; Isaac L., jr., now dead; Charles J., now dead; 
and Emily B., who became the wife of Sidney T. Clark. 

Curtis Thorp came to this locality in 1819, and probably was the first 
nurseryman in the region. Later on he owned a considerable tract of 
land in what is now the second ward, and Thorp street was named in 
allusion to him. Mr. Thorp is also remembered as being one of the 
most zealous abolitionists in the vicinity, and was specially emphatic in 
all his discussions of the slavery question. 

Michael Van De Bogart came into the village from Columbia county 
in 1830, when he was twenty years old. He was a carpenter and joiner 
and devoted his entire life to industrious effort. He died in 1885. His 
sons were Robert, now superintendent of public school buildings in the 
city; Henry V., commonly known as " Harry," who was killed at Pe- 
tersburg, Va., June 17, 1864; Herbert E., who died a few months ago, 
and John, who died in the army during the war of 1861-5. 

Daniel S. Dickinson, Lewis Seymour and Joseph K. Rugg came to 
the village in 1831. Mr. Dickinson and Mr. Rugg were lawyers (see 
Bench and Bar chapter), but Mr. Seymour was a merchant, and at one 
time was partner with James and John McKinney in managing a large 
general store. Mr. Seymour was a son of Samuel Seymour, the latter a 
pioneer in Union. He was also the father of the late Lewis Seymour, 
who was for several years the leader of the Broome county bar. The 
elder Lewis Seymour was drowned in the Chenango river while at- 
tempting to save the life of an unfortunate young man who had fallen 
in the water. 

John R. Dickinson and Ausburn Birdsall came in 1832, and both af- 
terward entered the legal profession. Mr. Dickinson was a brother of 
Daniel S. Dickinson, and while a good lawyer he did not attain the dis- 



108 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

tinguished prominence of the latter. Mr. Birdsall became prominent 
in the profession, in politics and in business. He owned a considerable 
tract of land in the northeast part of the city and its development 
nearly cost him his fortune. He removed to New York, where he now 
lives, but our citizens have pleasant reminders of him and his fertile 
brain in frequent valuable contributions to the columns of the city 
newspapers. Mr. Birdsall has known Binghamton almost seventy years, 
and his recollections of early life here are both interesting and instruc- 
tive. Laurel O. Belden came here in 1833, and was followed by Joseph 
Boughton in 1834. Both entered the legal profession in 1836. 

Ephraim A. Barton, who was a millwright and carpenter, and one of 
the best mechanics in the village in his time, came to Binghamton from 
Windsor in 1832, and was employed in the mills in the locality then and 
for many years afterward known as "Millville." John Hazard, broth- 
er-in-law of Mr. Barton, came with the latter, and afterward returned 
with him to Randolph Settlement, in the town of Windsor, where Mr. 
Barton's life was chiefly spent, although he died at Hickory Grove, Pa., 
in 1883. Mr. Barton was prominently connected with the construction 
of bridges for the Erie railroad company. Mrs. Thatcher, wife of Prof. 
S. N. Thatcher of this city, is the daughter of Ephraim A. Barton. 

Benjamin N. Loomis, Dr. Stephen D. Hand, Major Mills, Hamden K. 
Pratt and Hiram Birdsall came to the village in 1835. Mr. Loomis read 
law and eventually became our respected Judge Loomis, of whom men- 
tion is made in the Bench and Bar chapter. Dr. Hand was equally 
prominent in his profession, and while not perhaps the father of home- 
opathy in the village was nevertheless one of its earliest and most 
worthy representatives. Major Mills was never engaged in any busi- 
ness in Binghamton, but was a retired army officer. He lived on Main 
street, just west of the residence of William Wentz Hamden K. Pratt 
started the first regular hardware store in the village. His location 
was on the site afterward occupied by John E. Sampson. Hiram Bird- 
sail was a merchant doing business on the south side of Court street, 
just below the Exchange hotel. Samuel Brown, who was afterward 
partner with George F. Bragg in the firm of Bragg & Brown, came here 
in 183G. The firm did business on the corner where now stands the 
City National bank. The store was centrally located and both mem- 
bers of the firm were popular men, hence their place of business was a 
rendezvous for all the worthies of the village for several years. Dr. 
Pelatiah Brooks, for many years a well-known physician of Bingham- 




SAMUEL H. P. HALL. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 109 

ton, came here in 183G. Samuel H. P. Hall came in 1837 and was one 
of our most prominent business men. He first carried a large stock of 
general merchandise in a store on the north side of Court street, but is 
remembered in later years in connection with his crockery business on 
the south side of the street. In the latter Mr. Hall succeeded J. H. De 
Pue. United vStates Commissioner Charles S. Hall, now and for many 
years a prominent lawyer of Binghamton, was a son of vSamuel H. P. 
Hall. 

Uriah M. Stowers was another prominent figure among Binghamton's 
former business men, and began his career here about 1825 as clerk in 
Richard Mather's store. In 1837 he became partner with Col. Ely and 
continued for twenty years or more. The firm did business for a time 
on the site of the First National bank, and afterwards just east of the 
old American hotel. Mr. Stowers finally removed to Scranton, where 
he afterward lived and died. Morris Stowers, now of Scranton, was a 
son, and Mrs. Mary Stowers Lewis, of Binghamton (widow of the late 
Dr. George C. Lewis), was a daughter of Uriah M. Stowers. 

Among the other noteworthy settlers who came to the village about 
this time was Henry Jarvis, who soon became proprietor of the well- 
known Binghamton hotel and was otherwise associated with early 
events. Mr. Jarvis was the father of the late Henry Sanford Jarvis, 
whose name is to be mentioned as one of Binghamton's substantial 
business men. 

In the same year Samuel Johnson, the artist, took up his abode here, 
and with his brush and ready manner attracted considerable attention 
for some time. Dr. Nathan S. Davis was another arrival of 1837, and 
at once began practice. He afterward removed to Chicago and attained 
an enviable prominence in his profession. 

Jacob I. Lawyer also came in 1837 from his native county of Scho- 
harie. He was a wheelwright by trade, and is remembered as an ex- 
cellent mechanic. His shop stood on the rear end of a lot about oppo- 
site the site of the present Crandall house, and his dwelling was on the 
site of B. S. Curran's splendid residence on Carroll street. Mr. Lawyer 
died in 1842. His sons were William S. and George L. Lawyer, both 
of whom are veterans in Binghamton journalism. A third son died 
young. Mr. Lawyer's daughters were Margaret J. (Mrs. Parsons), and 
Caroline E. (Mrs. George S. Beach). 

Dr. Edwin Eldridge came to Binghamton in 1838, and was perhaps 
the most prominent new arrival of that year. He is recalled as a phy- 



no BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

sician of ability, and a friend of such genial qualities that he soon won 
the respect of all the villagers and occupied a prominent position in 
local society circles. Dr. Eldridge's most notable work in the village 
was the founding of the grove which afterward bore his name. The 
tract comprised several acres of land and was situated on the south side 
of Eldridge street, west of Liberty street. It was covered with a 
splendid growth of shade trees, and in the center of the plot stood the 
doctor's villa, the latter one of the most hospitable homes in the village 
for years. The grounds were used as a picnic resort, aad several 
Fourth of-July celebrations (and occasionally the colored festivities of 
July 5) were held there. At length, however, the doctor sold his prop- 
erty in Binghamton and removed to Elmira, where he founded Eldridge 
park. The D. & H. tracks and round house occupy a part of the grove 
site, and all vestiges of the once popular resort have now disappeared. 

Thus might the list be continued indefinitely but space and policy 
forbid. In the same manner as on preceding pages it might be possible 
to recall the names of many other men who were prominent in business 
and political circles in still later years, but in 1834 Binghamton became 
an incorporated village and within the next five years had acquired a 
population of about 2000 inhabitants, hence settlement had then be- 
come almost wholly lost in the general work of development and the 
onward march of progress. 

In this chapter the writer has attempted to recall the names and 
something of the lives of men who were in some manner connected 
with the prominent events of the period, and whose part in the work 
of development was of such character as to naturally place them in a 
more conspicuous light before the public than many of their associates, 
thus making them the especial objects of attention on the part of past 
chroniclers of Binghamton history. There was, however, another 
element of population in the village which included men of equal worth 
with those previously mentioned, but whose share in the events of the 
period was such that the attention was not drawn to them or their 
works; hence historical records give no account of their lives and deeds, 
while the older residents now living have little more than an obscure 
recollection of them. It is our purpose, however, to recall the names 
of as many as possible of those persons who were residents in the vil- 
lage earlier than 1835, and who have not been mentioned. 

A portion of the data upon which the preceding portion of this chap- 
ter is based was obtained from the work commonly known as "Wilkin- 



GROWTH AMD DEVELOPMENT. HI 

son's Annals of Binghamton." At least that narrative has been taken 
as an authentic guide, but there has been added the recollections of 
present residents of the city who were on this field of action nearly a 
score of years previous to Mr. Wilkinson's time. The present writer 
makes no criticism of the work referred to, as its author had access to 
records now lost, and also had the advantage of personal interviews 
with many of the pioneers as well as the first generation of their de- 
scendants. 

At the time the Annals was prepared the corporate limits of the vil- 
lage were only a fraction of the present area of the city, and the author 
made no pretense to including within the scope of his work a narrative 
of events taking place beyond the boundaries as then established. 
When in 1813 the legislature created a limited corporate character for 
the village its boundaries were the two rivers, Brandywine creek, and 
a line drawn from the foot of Gray's Island east to the creek. The 
tracks of the D., L. & W. R. R. company are not far from the north 
line then established. Therefore, all our present " north side," "east 
end "or " Fairview," together with the large areas included in the city 
lying west of the Chenango and south of the Susquehanna rivers were 
hardly considered as more than incidental portions of the village. 

In another chapter of this volume will be found a record of the civil 
and political organization of the village and subsequent city, from the 
first limited act of incorporation to this time, including the several ex- 
tensions of corporate boundaries. In the present connection it is pro- 
posed to bring to notice the names and something of the deeds of in- 
habitants outside the boundaries established in 1818. This can best be 
done at this late day by recourse to the memory of the oldest living 
residents of the city and presented to the reader in the form of reminis- 
cences and recollections. 



112 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 



CHAPTER IX. 
SETTLEMENT CONTINUED— EARLY BUSINESS MEN. 

The events narrated in the preceding chapter cover substantially the 
first thirty-five years of village history, and relate chiefly to the well 
settled portion of the territory included within the corporate limits es- 
tablished in 1813. While settlement was thus progressing in the local- 
ity mentioned the lands beyond the village limits were also being 
cleared, improved and occupied. All of this surrounding territory is 
now included in the city, hence some brief allusion to its settlers and 
early occupants is appropriate. However, for want of reliable data 
little more than the names of early residents can be given. 

On the south side of the Susquehanna river John Moore, John G. 
Christopher, John R. Waterhouse, Christopher Eldredge, John A. Col- 
lier, Capt. Marinus Pierce, Andrew and Aaron Moore, Col. Ransom and 
Horatio Evans were the early developers of the territory, although few 
of them were original settlers on the lands. Aaron, father of the late 
Chester Rood, was an early settler south of the river in the vicinity of 
Ross park. About 1830 Christopher Wood lived in a log house about 
where is now the park entrance. The southern portion of the park 
lands were cleared for Eldredge and Collier by Clinton Chambers, after 
which a crop of wheat was grown there for several years in succession. 
The tract is now entirely covered with " second growth " timber. 

Another prominent character in early times in this location was one 
Scutt, who lived near where the Ross Memorial church now stands. 
The so-called Rossville creek, which borders Park avenue on the west, 
is properly called Scutt creek, after the pioneer. In the family were 
three stalwart sons, William, Samuel and Frank. 

Scutt creek was an important factor in early lumbering days in this 
locality. About where Cross street joins Park avenue stood the old 
Waterhouse saw mill, the bed timbers of which were removed in build- 
ing the Cross street bridge. About half a mile further up the stream, 
in rear of the once known Gandolfo farm house, now Charles D. Al- 
drich's residence, was a saw mill owned and operated by Mason Whit- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 113 

ing. Down near the mouth of the same stream and fronting on the 
Montrose turnpike was Waterhouse's distillery, which was a notable 
industry in early times. 

Among the other early residents of this locality may be recalled the 
name of William M. Brown, who lived in a log house about on the line 
of Hotchkiss street, and whose daaghter Emily taught school in her 
father's domicile. Charles Aldrich lived below Lewis Baird's present 
location, in a hewed log house built by Lark Moore. Jared Gould lived 
next below Aldrich in the old shingle mill house. He had two sons, 
Hallam and Henry Gould, good, hard-working, industrious boys. About 
forty rods east of Winfield S. Stone's house lived Capt. Ebenezer Brown, 
while his son Palina lived on the Stone place. Capt. Brown was a ma- 
son by trade, and also taught school. He is remembered as a man of 
good education for his time. Henry Bakeman also lived in the same 
locality, his lands joining the Moore farm on the west. 

Further up the river, at a point about opposite the south end of the 
Rockbottom dam, one Brant was one of the earliest residents. He, 
with his son Amos, helped to clear much of the land in that vicinity, 
the logs being worked into lumber in Christopher Eldredge's mill, at 
the end of the dam. The saw mill was the first industry in this neigh- 
borhood, and was followed by the grist mill, the latter being burned 
previous to 1870. This immediate locality retains nothing of its orig- 
inal appearance. A few years after the grist mill was burned the 
state appropriated the lands at the south end of the dam for canal pur- 
poses, thus crowding the highway several rods south of its former 
course, and, still worse, necessitating the destruction of a splendid 
growth of pine trees which grew along the brow of the hill. The canal 
was eventually completed, but never was used for its intended purpose. 
In later years the substantial bulkhead, or lock, became decayed and 
the place presented a dilapidated appearance. The water commission- 
ers ultimately acquired title to the land at the end of the dam, with an 
intention to furnish at least an auxiliary supply of water from that 
point, but as yet this has not been done. 

Still further east, in the vicinity of the present Clapp farm, Andrew 
Moore was the pioneer. He was the head of a large family of children, 
one of whom was the late John C. Moore, the old county clerk, who, 
in 1835, made the pen picture of Binghamton which is shown in this 
chapter. At one time Andrew Moore was considered one of the richest 
settlers in the locality. Aaron Moore, brother to Andrew, settled on 



114 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

the farm afterward owned by Capt. Pierce, but none of his descendants 
are now in the city. 

Capt. Marinus Pierce and Sturges Gary came to this locality in 1835 
and settled on lands purchased by them at that time. Mr. Gary took a 
part of the now known Clapp farm, while Capt. Pierce purchased lands 
adjoining on the west. Both were former residents of Dutchess 
county, Mr. Gary living in the town of Beekman, where he was a 
farmer, cattle dealer and justice of the peace. As early as the early 
thirties Mr. Gary and Capt. Pierce visited the western and southern por- 
tions of the state to buy cattle, which they drove to Dutchess county, 
fattened them and sold them in New York markets. In 1834 they 
visited the southern part of the state and bought a drove of sheep. 
They came up the south side of the Susquehanna from Owego to Bing- 
hamton, and when arrived at a point about two miles east of the latter 
village a severe thunder storm compelled them to seek shelter in a pine 
grove and brush lot on the old Andrew Moore farm, a portion of which 
Mr. Gary afterward purchased. Capt. Pierce dismounted, tied his 
horse and sat down under the protecting branches of a large tree, while 
Mr. Gary watched the sheep, that they might not become scattered and 
lost. The drovers were thus occupied when suddenly a blinding flash 
of lightning struck very near Capt. Pierce, stunning him for the instant 
and killing his horse. Mr. Gary soon came to the assistance of his 
comrade, and both returned to the village to procure another horse. 
They then returned to Dutchess county without further accident, but 
the unfortunate event probably had no discouraging effect upon either, 
for in the next year both became permanent residents of the locality, 
selecting lands close to the scene of their mishap. Mr. Gary did not 
reside on his lands, but Capt. Pierce moved on his own tract, and in 
1842 Stephen Baxter built the residence in which the captain afterward 
lived. It still stands on its original site, just east of Pierce creek. 

Mr. Gary took up his residence in the village and in the same year 
became a member of the old firm of Hart, Haight & Gary, general mer- 
chants, whose store was on the north side of Court street, about four 
doors west of the corner of Washington street. In a few years Mr. 
Gary retired from the firm, sent for his son Solomon F. Gary, who was 
then clerk in a store in New York, and with the latter engaged in busi- 
ness in the Eagle building on the southeast corner of Court and Wash- 
ington streets. The firm continued until about 1874, when the senior 
partner retired to spend the remainder of his life in comfort and quiet 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 



115 



on the farm which he had previously purchased north of the village, 
and on which he had then lived many years. This tract comprised be- 
tween 30 and 40 acres, and was a part of the old Benjamin Green farm 
of early years. Under Mr. Gary's ownership a portion of the farm was 
laid out as a fair ground and for several years was used by the Broome 
Gounty Agricultural society for the annual county fair, and also by local 
horsemen as a trotting course. 




BlNGHAMTON IN 1856. 

View east of the Court House; the old storehouse on site of Pope building 
in the foreground. 



Mr. Gary died in 1876, aged nearly 83 years. After his retirement 
from the firm the business was continued by his sons, Solomon F. and 
Oliver A. Gary, until the latter removed to Gorning. Solomon F. Gary 
was afterward in business to the time of his death, a few years ago. 
Sturges Gary was a widower when he came to Binghamton to live. 
The children of his first marriage were Solomon F., Gornelia (wife of 
Tracy R. Morgan), Gynthia, Oliver A., Phebe M. and James S. Gary, 



116 



BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 



and one other child who died in infancy. Abel De Forest Gary, An- 
drew S. Gary, Anna Cary-Sisson and the late Gharles H. Gary are chil- 
dren of Sturges Gary by his second marriage. 

Golonel Ransom was another early settler in the locality south of the 
river and east of the village, but recollections of his family or life are 
indeed meagre. A portion of the Ransom and Pierce lands was sold 




BiNGHAMTON IN 1856. 

View showing corner of Court and Chenango streets and buildings north- 
west. The Perry building now stands on the corner, and where is 
shown Cyrus Strong's residence is now the Masonic Temple. 

to Edward Tompkins, who began the erection of the now called Sus- 
quehanna Valley Home buildings, the same having been intended as a 
private residence. Tompkins removed to Galifornia and exchanged his 
property to one Gove, of Boston, who finished the buildings, but who 
soon became discouraged with his bargain, whereupon, by some now 
unknown procedure, the property afterward reverted to Tompkins. 
But notwithstanding the fact that many builders and contractors were 
serious losers by their connection with the Tompkins enterprises in this 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 117 

locality, the improvements were of much importance in the early his ■ 
tory of the village. Through the energy of Mr. Tompkins a large sash 
factory was erected on East Court street, near the river bank, and 
through the same agency a substantial bridge was constructed across 
the Susquehanna at the head of Court street. The factory enterprise 
was not a complete success, and during the early years of the war of 
1861-65 the building was occupied as a barracks for troops. The bridge 
served a valuable purpose for years, but eventually it was purchased by 
the Rockbottom Bridge company and was taken down to repair and 
strengthen the bridge at Millville. Thereafter, and for a number of 
years lands in Tompkinsville, or Tompkins' location, were much de- 
preciated in value and were converted into farm tracts instead of home 
and dwelling sites, as was originally intended. They have been re- 
claimed, however, during more recent years and now the entire region 
is well built up with attractive residences and constitutes a valuable 
portion of the city. 

Previous to the incorporation of the village. General Whitney was 
one of the most prominent residents of the vicinity east of Brandywine 
creek, and he lived on the homestead until his death. Above his place, 
on lands owned by the late William M. Ely, lived Deacon Samuel Stow, 
while still further up was the farm of Judge William Chamberlain, 
father of the late Isaac and Park Chamberlain, all of whom were life- 
long residents of the locality. North of the village was Peter Robin- 
son's farm, and also Barzilla Gray's, Benjamin Green's and Abram Be- 
vier's lands, all or portions of which are now within the city limits. 
The development of the lands west of Chenango river was accomplished 
in much the same manner as is indicated in preceding paragraphs, but 
the events of that growth are so fully narrated in another chapter that 
further mention in this connection is not necessary. 

In 1840 Binghamton contained about 2000 inhabitants. The Che- 
nango canal then had been in operation three years and the preliminary 
surveys for a railroad were being made. At that time the village mer- 
chants numbered hardly more than a half dozen, among the more 
prominent of whom were Stowers & Ely, Samuel H. P. Hall, Hart, 
Haight & Gary, Hallam and Frank Pratt, Levi M. Rexford, Albert C. 
Morgan, Horatio & Alfred J, Evans, Thomas Allen and perhaps a few 
others whose names are lost with the lapse of years. Eight years later, 
in 1848, the New York and Erie railroad was opened and immediately 
afterward the village began to show a more rapid growth. Previous 



118 



BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 



to that the territory north of the railroad had only a few scattered 
houses, and there had not been made any attempt to establish a busi- 
ness community in that region; but after the road was opened the lands 
soon came into market for building purposes. 




BiNGHAMTON IN 1856. 
Brigham Hall in the foreground. 

In 1850 the population had grown to more than 4000 inhabitants, and 
at the end of another decade the number was still further increased to 
about 9000. This was in 1860, just before the Civil war, but at the 
time all business interests were fairly represented and Binghamton was 
called one of the most important stations on the line of the Erie rail- 
road between New York and Buffalo. This ascendancy was never 
afterward lost although for several years Elmira asserted a certain 
supremacy over our thriving village and subsequent city. 

In 1858 a faithful chronicler of local history described Binghamton 
as " a beautiful village situated on the north bank of the Susquehanna 
at its junction with the Chenango river;" and further remarked that 
the place then contained the State Inebriate asylum, the Binghamton 
academy, the Susquehanna seminary, three female seminaries (Miss 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 



119 



Ingalls' Riverside seminary, Mrs. Barton's seminary on Henry street 
and Harmony Retreat seminary north of the railroad, conducted by the 
Misses Marsh), Lowell & Warner's commercial college, two water cures 
(the Bing-hamton water cure, established in 1855 by Dr. O. V. Thayer, 
and the Mt. Prospect water cure under the supervision of J. U. North), 
nine churches, five newspaper offices and several manufactories. The 




BiNGHAMTON IN 1856. 

Showing buildings on north side of Court street between State street and 
the Weed building. 

writer also truthfully stated that the village was on the main line of 
the Erie railroad, that it was connected with Syracuse by railroad, and 
was the southwestern terminus of the Chenango canal and the Albany 
and Susquehanna railroad ; that it was the center of a large trade and 
an important point for the transhipment of coal. In 1857 there was 
transhipped from the D., L, & W. railroad cars to Chenango canal boats 
51,700 gross tons of coal, and from these boats to the cars 25,895 tons of 
Oneida county iron ore. 

That the reader may have some knowledge of the old business factors 
in Binghamton history the writer has been furnished with a copy of the 
first village directory (published in 1858 by A. L. Jones and printed by 
Adams & Lawyer). From this reliable source of authority it is learned 
that the merchants, manufacturers and other business men of the vil- 
lage in that year were as follows: 



120 



BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 



Agricultural implement dealer, Isaiah S. Matthews. 
Artists, Frances Howe, Washington Ruger. 
Auctioneers, Daniel Lyons, Thomas Young. 
Bakers, Duncan R. Grant, Gerard Hillers. 

Barbers, C. F. Moeller, Wm. H. Nooe, Adam Ray, Wm. M. Strather, 
Lewis West, Wm. Wood. 




BiNGHAMTON IN 1856, 

Showing Congdon'.s marble shop on the site now occupied by the Hagaman 
building ; Way's hotel on the Crandall house site, and other buildings. 

Blacksmiths, G. F. Hungerford, Van Arsdale & Whitney, Moses T. 
Winton. 

Bookbinders, J. H. Burdick, Samuel Wells. 

Booksellers, H E. Pratt & Brother, Preston & Sears. 

Boots and shoes, Charles N. Abbott, L. B. Harding, Harrison De Hart, 
Henry Fish, Richard H. Lee, Lester Bros. & Co., William Pratt, David 
C. Pugsley, Abram R. Wood, William Apsey. 

Brewers, White & Fuller. 

Broker, James F. Bloomer. 

Carpenters and builders. Bloomer & Holmes, Peter H. Terhune, Mi- 
chael Van De Bogart, JohnS. Wells, John J. Youmans. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 121 

Carriage and wagon makers, Alonzo Davis & Co., Miller, French & 
Co., Amos D. Stockwell, Homer B. Twitchell. 

Clothiers, George Large, Chauncey Marvin, Myron Newman, Thomas 
O'Hara, A. Praslow, Alexander Sandman. 

Coal dealers, McKinney & Doubleday. 

China and glass ware, James H. De Pue, William S. Hall. 

Confectioners, Gerard Hillers, Sabina Hipp, Henry Tichenor. 

Coopers, William F. Young. 

Daguerreotypists, Gilmore & Nixon, Francis W. Nixon, A. B. Tubbs. 

Dentists, Albert Hooper, McCall & Turner, Jacob C. Robie, Marvin 
P. Smith, Solon P. Stocking, Thomas J. Wheaton. 

Sash, doors and blinds, Kinyon & Newton. 

Druggists, David J. H. Chubbuck, George Dwyer, J. P. McNamara, 
Taylor & Pope, Cornelius H. Webster. 

Dry goods, S. F. Cary & Co., A. S. Davis, E. F. Davis, Hirschmann 
Bros. & Co., John Hungerford & Co., Augustus Knowlton, Daniel 
Lyons, Sheridan & Brother, B. F. Sisson & Co., Oliver A. Sisson, Wick- 
ham & Bennett, W. N. Wilson & Co. 

Dyer, George Large. 

Engraver, Olive H. Eraser. 

Express companies. United States Express Co., Washington street 
near Court; Utica and Bingham ton Express Co., Washington street near 
Court. 

Flour, feed and grain, Richard Ely, Moore & Myer, De Witt C. Stry- 
ker. 

Furniture — manufacturers and dealers — Howard & Robinson, James 
H. Parsons, A. & W. J. Rennie, Anson Seymour, Isaac Warren, B. G. 
Watkins. 

Gas fitter, Frank Blackstone. 

Groceries and provisions, Henry AUard, Barnes & Smith, Bidwell & 
Co., Donley, Carrington & Co., George W. Freeman, Gandolfo & Bene- 
dict, J. & D. .Guilfoyle, M. A. Holmes, Usebe Kent & Co., G. Lentz, 
Wm. H. Linnaberry, Marks, Scott & Co., James Marquisee, Matthews & 
Vosbury, Moore & Myer, James E. New, S.H. Newcomb, Newell & Shel- 
don, Henry Per Lee, Lewis L. Smith, Southwell & Fancher, Stouten- 
burgh & Dunham, D. C. Stryker, Taylor, Stowers & Co., Van Every & 
Knight, Weed, Ayers& Morgan, James S. Mersereau. 

Gunsmith, Charles Stuart. 

Hardware, William Harris, John E. Sampson, W. S. Smith. 



122 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Harness makers, Boardraan & Minkler, C. N. Fancher, G. E. & S. J. 
Hall. 

Hats, caps and furs, Erasmus Chollar, Septer P. Quick, John H. 
Tweedy, Chauncey Williams. 

Hotels, Bing^ham house, corner Court and Water streets; Chenang-o 
house, corner of Front and Main streets; Exchange hotel, 58 and 60 
Court street; Farmers' hotel (the old Brandy wine), Court street near 
Liberty; Franklin house, Washington street, between Court and Haw- 
ley; Globe hotel. Water street south of Court; Lewis house, corner of 
Canal and Lewis streets; Way's hotel (now the Crandall), Court street. 

Insurance agents, Charles S. Hall, Wickham & Bennett, Wm. R. 
Osborne, Hiram C. Rodgers, Merrick C. Hough, Nelson J. Hopkins, 
Philo B. Stillson, James S. Cary, Franklin A. Durkee. 

Iron founders and machinists. Empire Iron works, Morgan vS. Lewis; 
Benj. H. Overhiser, Shapley, Dunk & Co. 

Leather and findings, J. B. Abbott & Son, Lester Bros. & Co., Will- 
iam Pratt. 

Livery stables, Joseph G. Hinds, John Lockwood, Morris & Terwil- 
liger, Ostrom & Race. 

Lumber dealers, Isaac L. Bartlett, Austin W. Tyler & Co., Isaac V- 
White. 

Marble works, Congdon & Bevier. 

Meat markets, John H. Allen, George S. Beach, Castle & Bump, 
Marsh & Hazley, B. F. Ruggles, Stephen Solomon, Sperring & Austin, 
Elijah Castle. 

Music stores, Henry W. Boss, Henry A. Kellogg, 

Newspapers, Binghamton Democrat (J. M. Adams and Wm. S. Law- 
yer) ; Binghamton Daily Republican (Wm. Stuart, editor); Broome 
Republican (Wm. Stuart, publisher); Binghamton Standard (James 
Van Valkenburgh, publisher.) 

Painters, Charles S. Burrows, Crary & Johnson, Ansel K. Martin, 
Evander Spaulding. 

Physicians, Pelatiah B. Brooks, Titus L. Brown, George Burr, John 
Chubbuck, Edward G. Crafts, Levi Davis, William C. Doane, Martha 
French, Whiting S. Griswold, Thomas Jackson, J. H. North, John G. 
Orton, Orson V. Thayer, William Wachter, Thomas Webb, Henry S. 
West, Silas West, Washington W. Wheaton. 

Picture frames, Vincent Graves. 

Real estate dealers, Solomon Aldrich, Nelson J. Hopl<ins, Henry 
Mather. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 123 

Refreshment saloons, Orson Cone, Cornelius E. Dunn, Henry Hel- 
ler, Theodore N. Remmelee, Merritt Stanton. 

Soap and candle makers, Georg-e W. Gregory, steam soap and candle 
works, on Evans' basin; Rensselaer Jackson, Canal st. near Henry; 
James A. Weed & Co. (James A. Weed, Warring S. Weed, Darius S. 
Ayers), on Washington st. between Court and Henry. 

Spoke and hub works, Amos G. Hiill, west side of Evans' basin. 

Stove dealers, Carrington Bros. (Ira N. and Lewis Carrington), Isaac 
W. Overhiser. 

Storage and forwarding merchants, Richard Ely, Usebe Kent & Co., 
McKinney & Co. (Charles and Sabin McKinney.) 

Tanners, J. B. Abbott & Son, Marshall H. Weed. 

Tailors, Chauncey Marvin, John N. Ring, Myron Newman, Thomas 
O'Hara, A. Praslow, Alexander Sandman, S. F. Cary & Co. 

Tinware, sheet iron and copper, Carrington Bros., Samuel J. 01m- 
stead, Isaac W. Overhiser, Pratt & Booth. 

Tobacco and cigars, Diblin & Butler, Daniel Evans, Henderer & 
Carman, Westcott, Benedict & Co. (Harvey Westcott, S. S. Benedict 
and Eli Westcott.) 

Undertakers, Adam & William J. Rennie, Zenas Pratt. 

Upholsterer, Ransom Hooper. 

United States commissioner, Charles S. Hall. 

Watches, clocks and jewelry, Charles E. Burnham, Lewis A. Butler, 
Evans & Allen (Alfred J. Evans and Henry M. Allen), Charles G. Hart. 

Wines and liquors, Gatefield & Lyon (Alonzo Gatefield and Addison 
J. Lyon), J. B. Lewis & Co. (James B. and George C. Lewis), Pitts & 
Durfee (Paul R. Pitts and Stephen Durfee), Erastus Ross, Wheeler & 
Gordon (Daniel Wheeler and Alfred Gordon.) 

In 1858 the corporation officers were Benjamin N. Loomis, village 
president; Daniel D. Denton, trustee 1st ward; Orson Cone, 2d; Fred- 
erick Lewis, 3d; Thomas J. Clark, 4th; Austin W. Tyler, oth; and Ho- 
ratio Evans, 6th; Charles S. Hall, attorney; Hiram C. Rodgers, treas- 
urer; Vincent Graves, clerk; William E. Abbott, chief of police; John 
Whitney, street commissioner; John R. Harris, poundmaster; Selah 
P. Rood, sexton. 

The officers of the fire department were Frederick A. Morgan, chief; 
Abraham De Witt, first asst. ; Henry C. Preston, second asst. ; Vincent 
Graves, clerk ; James S. Cary, treasurer. 

The engine and hose companies were Phoenix No. 1, Robert H. Mc- 



124 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Cune, foreman; Rescue No. 3, Benj. W. Morse, foreman; Independent 
No. 5, Job N. Cong-don, foreman; American No. 6, Morgan S. Lewis, 
foreman; Excelsior Hook and Ladder Co., Charles D. Rogers, foreman; 
Lawyer Hose Co. No. 1, William S. Lawyer, foreman; Fountain Hose 
Co. No. 4, M. A. Holmes, foreman. 

The public halls or places of entertainment were Brigham hall, at 
the corner of Court and Collier streets; Congdon hall, on Court street, 
next west of Brigham hall corner; Eldredge hall, on Washington 
street north of Hawley street; Firemen's hall, on the site where now 
stands the Municipal building; La Fayette hall, at the corner of Court 
and Water streets; Matthews' hall, at No. 67 Court street; Masonic 
hall and Odd Fellows hall, both on Washington street north of Court 
street. 

The Young Men's Library association was then in successful opera- 
tion, occupying quarters at the corner of Court and Washington streets. 
The officers at the time were Tracy R. Morgan, president ; Oilman L. 
Sessions, vice-president; Whitman Kinyon, secretary, and Solomon F. 
Cary, treasurer. 

The Binghamton Academy of Medicine, comprising resident, non- 
resident, honorary and corresponding fellows, was also in operation, 
and was then officered as follows: Whiting S. Griswold, president; Pel- 
atiah Brooks, vice-president; John G. Orton, secretary, and Silas West, 
treasurer. 

The banking institutions were the Bank of Binghamton, the Broome 
County bank, the Chenango Valley Savings bank, and the Susquehanna 
Valley bank. 

The churches were the Baptist, Bethel M. E. (colored), Christ P. E., 
Court Street M E. (corner Court and Carroll streets), First Congrega- 
tional (on the site of Smith & Kinney building), Henry street M. E. 
(on the site of the Republican building), Presbyterian (Chenango s'reet), 
St. John's (now St. Patrick's), Universalist (on Exchange street about 
opposite the present church), and Zion's church, colored (on Whitney 
street). 

The secret and benevolent societies were Binghamton lodge, No. 177, 
F. & A. M. ; Binghamton Chapter, No. 139, R. A. M.; Otseningo lodge, 
No. 435, F. & A. M. ; Malta Commandery, No. 21, K. T. ; Calumet lodge. 
No. 221, I.O.O. F. ; Binghamton Encampment, No. 50, LO.O.F. ; Bing- 
hamton Temple of Honor, No. 7; and Binghamton Division, No. 63, 
Sons of Temperance. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 125 

In 1867, then containing a population of more than 10,000 inhabitants 
and having commercial interests equal in number and importance to 
those of any village in the southern tier, Binghamton laid aside its for- 
mer limited municipal character and became an incorporated city. 
From that time to the present its growth has been constant and health- 
ful and at times rapid. The census reports for 1870 showed the city to 
contain 12,G92 inhabitants, and in 1875 the number had increased to 
15,518. In 1880 the population was 17,317, and during the next ten 
years the city more than doubled in number of inhabitants, while all 
commercial interests were correspondingly enlarged, numerically and 
in productive capacity. Through political complications there was no 
enumeration of inhabitants in 1885, but in 1890 the city was found to 
contain a total population of 35,005. The unofficial and prejudiced 
count of inhabitants made for purely political purposes in 1892 gave 
the city a population of 34,514, and while there has not been a subse- 
quent official enumeration, the most conservative and fair estimates 
have placed the present population of the city fully 45,000, and from 
that number to 50,000. 

Having thus traced the history of the city from the beginning of the 
century to the time when pioneership and early settlement became lost 
in the general growth and advancement, and having recalled the names 
and something of the deeds of as many as possible of the persons and 
families who were instrumental in accomplishing achieved results, it is 
now proper that the subject of municipal history be divided into its 
component elements, and classified, and that a record of each branch be 
made for the use of future generations. 



I 



126 



BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 



CHAPTER X. 

VILLAGE ORGANIZATION AND MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 

The first known survey for a village plot on the site of the city was 
made in 1797, but by whom and under what authority is not now per- 
fectly clear. It is probable, however, that the work was done by James 
Wilson, one of the proprietors of the Hooper-Wilson- Bingham tract, as 



TJAT OF 

CHENANGO POINT 



PonaM 



oiavinaj 



IN 1797. 



■VVjiitiJcy's 'yf I // 



A A ^ XrniUj made here with 
thelnd'Mh.^in 1786. 




; 'Vj, ' Orave Yard 



he was engaged to run the lines of the purchase and also to complete the 
survey and subdivision into farm lots. The plot referred to is of no 
consequence in village history as nothing shows that it was ever used 
in making sales. According to the map the village was laid out in lots, 
though the place was not then designated by name. The general situ- 
ation of the region in 1797 is shown in the map herewith produced, 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 127 

which by special permission is taken from Wilkinson's Annals of Bing- 
hamton. 

At the time indicated a few settlers under title and a larger number 
of squatters were scattered over the territory. The only cleared space 
of any size was that formerly occupied by the Tuscarora village of 
Ochenang, but the Indian habitations had been destroyed by Clinton's 
men nearly twenty years before. 




Village ot' Binghamton in 1808. 

Settlement and development under recognized authority were begun 
in 1800, under the agency of Joshua Whitney, and in that year, upon 
the suggestion of Selah Squires, the name "Twin Elms" was tempo- 
rarily used to designate the proposed site of the village. When the 
work was fairly progressed the inhabitants adopted the name of " Che- 
nango Point," while " Chenango village " was the name of the little 
hamlet up the river. The lower village was called Chenango Point as 
early as 1802, and in the next year a post-ofhce under that name was 
established there. In all early court records and public documents the 
place was so called for at least fifteen years, while the post-office name 
was retained until 1830. 

In the meantime the inhabitants determined to agree upon and adopt 



128 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

an appropriate name for their growing settlement, and having in mind 
the many generous actions of William Bingham, a due sense of grati- 
tude naturally suggested a name in his honor. The result was " Bing- 
hamton," athough the action was wholly informal and with many per- 
sons the old name was continued for many years; but it was generally 
corrupted into " Chenang Pint." 

In 1808 Roswell Marshall made a survey of the village plot, under 
the name of " Village of Binghamton," and subdivided into lots all the 
land north of the Susquehanna, south of Lyons' (now Noyes') island, 
east of about Murray street (as now known), and west of Brandywine 
creek. The Marshall map was recorded in book 4 of deeds, at page 67, 
and was taken as the basis of all later surveys on the portion of Bing- 
ham's patent included in it. For the benefit of the reader the map is 
reproduced in this work and furnishes an interesting study. It at least 
shows us that on paper Binghamton was then a place of importance, 
though as a matter of fact the inhabitants numbered less than 200. 
Only one or two stores were opened, while away from Court and Water 
streets the lands were not even cleared of their original forest growth. 
In that part of the village south of what is now Hawley street (except 
on Water street) no timber had been cut, and the same was true of the 
locality above Dr. Ely's land north of Court street. Indeed, woods and 
wilderness surrounded the village on every side, and the settled locality 
covered only the little space between the court house and the Chenango 
river and Water street south of Court. As late as 1811 the court house 
grounds were covered with a growth of pine and oak trees, and the 
general situation was not specially inviting to the proposed purchasers 
who were constantly visiting the place. In 1812 Ebenezer Woodbridge 
came from the east with the intention of investing in lands here, but 
after examining that part of the village east of Chenango and north of 
Court street, he concluded that the land was not worth owning and 
soon afterward passed on to Candor. But Dr. Doubleday had greater 
faith in the future of the place, and although urged to cast his lot else- 
where, he firmly believed the settlement at the junction of the Sus- 
quehanna and Chenango rivers would eventually become the site of an 
important city; and it must be said that subsequent events proved the 
wisdom of his judgment. 

At the time mentioned the buildings farthest east were the court 
house on the square and the tavern on the Phelps' bank corner. Squire 
George Park had then recently come to the village, and his impressions 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 



129 



of the locality were so clear that more than half a century afterward he 
was able to produce an accurate pencil sketch of the streets and build- 
ings of the locality. His drawing- was first published in the revised 
edition of Wilkinson's Annals of Binghamton and is shown in this work 
as a fair birds-eye view of the village in 1810. 

In 1S12 the population had increased to about 250 or 300 inhabitants, 
three good general stores were opened, about as many primitive indus- 
tries were in operation, and it was considered advisable for the public 




BINGHAMTON. 

A view of Court street, from the Chenango bridge to the Court House, drawn 
June 4, 1810, by Geo. Park, Esq. 



welfare that the village have at least a limited corporate character. 
General Whitney, Judge Stuart, Mason Whiting, Daniel Le Roy, Judge 
McKinney, Dr. Ely, Dr. Robinson, Col. Ely and Squire Park were 
among the leading men of the place at the time, and, if local tradition 
be true, they determined to secure the passage of an act incorporating 
the village, thus opening the way for public improvements which other- 
wise could not be secured. Therefore they had recourse to the legis- 
lature, and the result was an act passed April 2, 1813, entitled "an act 
to vest certain powers in the inhabitants and freeholders of Bingham- 
ton." 



130 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

The village boundaries established by the act were as follows: "Be- 
ginning at a buttonwood tree standing on the most southerly point of 
the island in the Chenango river known by the name of Lion's island 
(now Noyes' island), adjacent to the mills lately erected by Marshall 
Lewis, thence in a line running due east to the middle of Brandywine 
creek, so called ; thence southerly down the middle of said creek as it 
winds and turns to the Susquehanna river; thence southerly to the mid- 
dle of said river; thence down the middle of said river as it winds and 
turns to a point or place in said river which a line would meet drawn 
due south from the southwest corner of a tract of land on the west side 
of the Chenango river purchased by Daniel Le Roy of the executors of 
William Bingham, Esquire, deceased; thence due north to the south- 
west corner of the last mentioned tract of land; thence northerly along 
the west line of said tract of land to the southwest corner of the farm 
or tract of land owned by Selah Squires; thence easterly along the 
south line of the said Selah Squires' land to the middle of the Chenango 
river, and thence easterly to the place of beginning." 

This was the first attempt at village incorporation, and though un- 
successful, a brief allusion to the provisions of the act is proper. After 
defining the corporate limits provision was made for the election of 
trustees at an annual meeting; defining the powers and duties of all 
officers; authorizing the trustees to make such prudential laws and 
regulations as were deemed proper, and establishing fines and penalties 
for their violation ; authorizing the freeholders at the annual meeting 
to elect a treasurer and clerk; authorizing the trustees to appoint not 
exceeding 25 firemen, also officers of a fire company, and declaring it 
the duty of the trustees to act as fire wardens ; empowering the trustees 
to assess the inhabitants and freeholders the amount of taxes required 
to be raised, the same to be assessed in proportion to the property and 
situation of the inhabitants and the advantages they should derive 
from the taxes; and appointing a village president and clerk. The act 
also provided that any trustee elected and refusing to serve should be 
subject to a fine of $10 for each offense! 

Unfortunately, no record is found by which we may learn the pro- 
ceedings of the board of trustees under this act, or whether the mu- 
nicipal organization was in fact perfected. On this point opinions differ, 
some persons contending that the organization was completed, and that 
Judge Stuart, John A. Collier, Squire Mason Whiting, Squire George 
Park and other prominent men of the time were among the earliest vil- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 



131 



lage officers, while others equally well informed are of the belief that 
no complete organization was effected. Whatever the truth may have 




been, cannot now be determined, and no person now living has any 
knowledge of the previous existence of such record. 

The fair presumption would be that with such men in the village as 



1 



132 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

those mentioned the proposition to incorporate and establish a munici- 
pal government would be carried into effect. It is believed that this 
was done, although for some now unknown reason the organization 
was afterward suspended or abandoned . This would appear to be true 
from the fact that in 1824 the legislature passed " an act to revive an 
act to vest certain powers in the freeholders and inhabitants of ' Bing- 
hainpton.' " (This was perhaps the first time in our history that any 
authority presumed to interpolate the letter "p" in the orthographical 
construction of the name of the city. It was an unfortunate example, 
and was studiously followed by uninformed persons for many years. 
All native and all loyal Binghamtonians naturally resent this unwar- 
ranted assumption. Throughout the century of our history the name 
was never correctly spelled otherwise than plain BingJiamton.^ 

The effective portion of the act of 1824 was as follows: Be it enacted, 
etc., that the act entitled an act to vest certain powers in the freehold- 
ers and inhabitants of Binghamton, passed April 2, 18 L3, be and the 
same is hereby revived, and all its provisions and restrictions. It was 
further provided that the qualified voters should meet on the first Tues- 
day in May following and elect trustees, treasurer and collector in the 
manner prescribed in the act revived. 

The character and quality of organization under the second act is 
also veiled in mystery on account of the total absence of records cover- 
ing the period of its operation. At best the act conferred limited pow- 
ers and afforded only the rudiments of the municipal government we 
now enjoy. At that time, however, the population approximated 1,000 
and the rapidly increasing commercial and industrial interests demanded 
greater protection than was possible without a corporate act of some 
kind. The business portion of the village was well built up with brick 
and frame structures, several large mills were in operation on both 
rivers, the residence section had been extended across the Chenango to 
a point beyond Oak street and also up Court street almost to Fayette. 
Several churches had been built, places of public assemblage were 
opened and all interests demanded an improved municipal condition 
both as to means of convenience and safety. Hence the act of revival 
above quoted, but for the reasons stated any detail of proceedings un- 
der it is impossible. 

Ten years later the village was regularly and permanently incor- 
porated. The act was passed May 3, 1834, and defined boundaries as 
follows: "Beginning on the north bank of the Susquehanna river, 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 133 

at the southwest comer of Lewis St. John's farm, and running thence 
north 2 degrees west, 89 chains, 25 links, to the southwest corner of lot 
29, Bingham's patent; thence south 73 degrees east, 49 chains, 50 links, 
to the Chenango river; thence to the southwest corner of Christopher 
Eldredge's farm; thence north 88 degrees, 30 minutes east, to the west 
line of Joshua Whitney's farm ; thence south one degree, 30 minutes 
east, to the Susquehanna river; thence to and down the middle of the 
same to a point directly south of the place of beginning, and thence to 
the place of beginning." 

The territory within the boundaries described was declared to be a 
body corporate and politic by the name of ^' The village of Binghainion." 

Section 2 of the act divided the territory into five wards, as follows: 
First ward, all that part of the village lying west of the Chenango 
river; second ward, all that part of the village east of the Chenango 
river, south of the center of Court street, and west of the center of 
Centre (now Collier) street; third ward, all east of the Chenango river, 
north of the center of Court street and west of the center of Chenango 
street; fourth ward, all east of Chenango street and north of the center 
of Court street; fifth ward, all east of Centre street and south of Court 
street. 

Section 3 provided that the qualified voters should meet on the first 
Tuesday in June, 1834, and elect one trustee and one assessor in their 
respective wards; in the first ward at Samuel Peterson's inn, unde the 
supervision of Samuel Smith; in the second ward at A. Davis' inn, un- 
der the direction of George Park ; in the third ward at the Methodist 
chapel, under direction of Levi Dimmick; in the fourth ward at the 
Baptist church, under direction of William Seymour; in the fifth ward 
at the new school house (now the Carroll street school), under direction 
of Edward Kellogg. 

The act also provided that the annual election be held on the first 
Tuesday in September, and that the trustees annually elect a freeholder 
residing in the village, not one of their own number, to be president, 
and also to choose a treasurer, clerk, attorney, police constable, and 
five fire wardens. 

Agreeable to the act, the first village election was held on the first 
Tuesday in June and resulted as follows: Samuel Peterson, trustee, 
and Vincent Whitney, assessor, in the first ward ; George Park, trustee, 
and Joseph Congdon, assessor, in the second ward; Stephen Weed, 
trustee, and Augustus Morgan, assessor, in the third ward; William 



134 



BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 



Seymour, trustee, and William E. Abbott, assessor, in the fourth ward ; 
William B. Doubleday, trustee, and Henry Whittlesey, assessor, in the 
fifth ward. It may be stated that Major Morgan declined to serve as 







-^ 



assessor in the third ward, and at a special election held August 4, 
James Munsell was chosen in his place. 

The first meeting of the trustees was held at Samuel Peterson's inn 
on June 4, at which time officers were appointed as follows: 

President, Daniel S. Dickinson; clerk, Erasmus D, Robinson; attor- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 135 

ney, Joseph S. Bosworth; treasurer^ Julius Page; police constable and 
collector, Joseph Bartlett; fire wardens, Myron Merrill, George T. Ray, 
Levi Dimmick, Gary Murdock and Isaac Leavenworth, representing 
the several wards in the order mentioned. 

Thus did Binghamton become a fully incorporated and organized 
village and entered upon a career of municipal prosperity which has 
endured to the present time. By the incorporation proceedings the 
village in a measure became separated from the surrounding territory 
of the town of Ghenango. Its authorities were at liberty to provide for 
improvements not otherwise obtainable, and in payment for which the 
town at large could not be called upon to contribute. The first meetings 
of the trustees were devoted to the preparation and adoption of suitable 
ordinances, then commonly called by-laws and regulations, after which 
street lines and grades received attention. One of the most important 
subjects, however, to engage the attention of the trustees was the organ- 
ization and equipment of fire companies, and the adoption of measures 
best calculated to protect the inhabitants against serious loss by fire. 
Indeed, during the first five years of municipal history the clerk's rec- 
ords indicate that more attention was given to fire company matters 
than any other branch of government. 

On May 6, 1837, the legislature amended the incorporating act, and 
gave the trustees the same control and authority over the village streets 
as overseers of highways then possessed, with power to lay out, im- 
prove and pave the same; and also authorized the trustees to purchase 
and hold real estate for the purpose of a public cemetery. Under the 
authority of this act the village cemetery north of the railroad was 
acquired by the corporation. 

On April 11, 1851, the legislature passed an "act to amend the several 
acts incorporating the village of Binghamton." This act extended the 
village limits and included a part of the territory south of the Susque- 
hanna river. The boundaries then established were as follows: Be- 
ginning at the northwest corner of lot 31, Bingham's patent, and run- 
ning thence east to the northeast corner of lot 27 ; thence south to the 
Susquehanna river; thence across the river to the northeast corner of 
lot 13 ; thence south to the south line of Bingham's patent ; thence west 
to a point opposite the west line of lot 31; thence north across the Sus- 
quehanna river to the southwest corner of lot 31, and thence north to 
the place of beginning. A fair idea of the extent of the village at that 
time may be gained by comparing the description just given with the 
map of Bingham's patent. 



136 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, ETC. 

The act divided the territory into six wards, as follows: First ward, 
all west of the Chenango river; second ward, all east of the Chenango 
river, south of Court and west of Centre (Collier) street; third ward, 
all east of Chenango river, north of Court and west of Chenango street ; 
fourth ward, all east of Chenango street and north of Court street ; fifth 
ward, all south of Court and east of Centre street; sixth ward, all south 
of the Susquehanna river. 

The officers authorized under the act of 1851 were a president of the 
board of trustees (to be appointed by the trustees), one trustee and 
one assessor in each ward, a clerk, treasurer, police constable, and a 
village attorney. The trustees and assessors only were to be chosen 
by the people. The first election under the act was held on the first 
Tuesday in May, 1851. The annual election was provided to be held 
on the first Tuesday in February. 

The evident purpose of this act was 'to secure a charter for the vil- 
lage, but the benefits of such a step were not fully realized, hence two 
years later recourse was again made to the legislature, and on April 12, 
1853, there was passed "an act to amend and consolidate the several 
acts relating to the villiage of Binghamton." The boundaries were 
the same as before, but under the new act the village was declared to 
be a corporation by the name of "the village of Binghamton," author- 
ized to have a seal, and was clothed with the same powers as other like 
municipalities in the state. The wards described in the act of 1851 
were maintained, but the village president, like the trustees and asses- 
sors, was to be elected by the people. The trustees were to receive an 
annual salary of $25 each. The annual meeting of the board was to be 
held on the second Tuesday in February. 

Amendments to the charter were frequent in later years, but a detail 
of the provisions of each is not necessary in this work. By the amend- 
ment of 1858 the president was declared to be the presiding officer of 
the board of trustees. In 1861 "an act to amend and consolidate the 
several acts relating to the village of Binghamton " was passed, but its 
provisions were not of an important character. 

The city of Binghamton was chartered^ and incorporated by virtue of 
chapter 291, laws of 1867, passed by the legislature April 9, of that 
year. This was the crowning achievement in municipal history, and 
by it tlie city became entirely separated from the town of which it had 

' The city charter was prepared by Charles S. Hall, and was an arduous task admirably ac- 
complished. 



138 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

previously formed a part. No longer were our electors to vote for 
supervisors and justices of the peace with the people of the town, and 
now we were to have a new, independent and increased representation 
in the board of supervisors (but it is questionable whether the city has 
really benefited by the advanced step indicated, for it has been almost 
annually made the victim of the majority members of the equalization 
committee). 

The first city boundaries were as follows: Beginning- at the north- 
west corner of lot 31, Bingham's patent, and running thence on the 
north line of said patent to the northeast corner of lot 27; thence south 
on the east line of lot 27 to the Susquehanna river; thence across said 
river to the northeast corner of lot 13; thence south along the east line 
of said lot 13 to the south line of Bingham's patent; thence west along 
the south line of said patent to a point opposite the west line of lot 31; 
thence north across the Susquehanna river to the southwest corner of 
lot 31, and thence north along the west line of lot 31 to the place of 
beginning. These lines were established according to the map of 
Bingham's patent. 

Five wards were established in the city, viz. : First ward, all that 
part of the city west of the Chenango river; second ward, all east of 
the Chenango river and west of the center lines of Chenango and Col- 
lier streets; third ward, all east of Chenango and north of Court street; 
fourth ward, all south of Court and east of Collier street ; fifth ward, all 
south of the Susquehanna river. 

The annual election was to be held on the second Tuesday in Febru- 
ary, at which time there were to be elected by general ballot a mayor, 
two justices of the peace, four constables, three assessors and one over- 
seer of the poor. Each ward was entitled to two aldermen, each serv- 
ing two years and elected alternately after the first election, and one 
supervisor, elected annually. The common council was authorized to 
appoint a presiding officer, a city clerk, recorder, treasurer, superinten- 
dent of streets, a chief of police and not exceeding five policemen, a 
fire marshal, one or more pound-keepers, a sealer of weights and meas- 
ures, a sexton, one or more wood measurers and one or more hay 
weighers. The mayor was to hold office one year and serve without 
compensation. The council was vested with legislative powers. 

The first election under the charter was held May G, 1867, and re- 
sulted in what may be called a Republican victory. Abel Bennett was 
elected mayor over Samuel H. P. Hall, by 141 majority, and in the 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 189 

council was a majority of Republicans sufficient to secure the appoint- 
ment of a full contingent of minor city officials of that party. The first 
board contamed several of the most prominent men of the city, and as a 
whole was one of the strongest in our municipal history. The same was 
also true of the first representatives of the city in the board of super- 
visors, Lewis S. Abbott being the only successful Democratic candidate 
for that office. 

Subsequent acts supplementary to and amendatory of the charter of 
1867 were numerous, and occasionally of an important character. In- 
deed, it is doubtful if any city in the state having no greater population 
has been subject to more frequent legislative enactment than Bingham- 
ton; and while as a whole these acts have resulted in ultimate benefit 
many of them were of doubtful propriety. A recapitulation of all their 
provisions is not necessary to this chapter, hence the date of the pas- 
sage of the more important ones will serve the purpose of the reader. 

Among the many subsequent acts relating to the city these may be 
briefly noted: May 5, 1868, relating to supervisors; April 23, 1869, in- 
corporating the fire department; March 10, 1870, defining powers of 
city officers; March 10 and April 7, 1871, authorizing a loan for im- 
proving the court house grounds and regulating police powers; May 
20, 1872, authorizing the city, after Sept. 1, 1872, to use for a public 
street that part of the Chenango canal between the north end of Pros- 
pect avenue and the south line of Susquehanna street; May 9, 1873, 
authorizing day and night policemen, the appropriation of $8,000 for 
contingent fund, $4,000 for the fire department and salaries of chief 
and assistant engineers, and also authorizing the appointment of a su- 
perintendent of schools; March 6,1874, relating to sewers; April 18, 
1874, authorizing the council to appoint certain city officers, a chief of 
police and not more than 8 policemen; April 6, 1874, authorizing an 
appropriation of $17,000 for cemetery purposes and $8,000 for a city 
park; February 19, 1875, authorizing appointment of city attorney; 
June 17, 1875, extending city limits and including the Ross park terri- 
tory; June 19, 1875, authorizing a loan of $75,000 for a city hall and 
lockup, and appointing Charles McKinney, Rodney A. Ford, Sherman 
D. Phelps, Delancey M. Halbert, Solomon F. Cary, Job N. Congdon and 
William Tremain commissioners to negotiate for a site ; May 20, 1876, 
providing for school commissioner elections on the third Tuesday in 
September; June 3, 1877, increasing clerk's salary to $800; June 4, 
1878, authorizing the use of the Chenango canal for street purposes ; 



I 



140 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

May 23, 1878, creating- a board of park commissioners; May 28, 1880, 
providing for the election of justices of the peace; April 8, 1881, organ- 
izing- the police department and force under a commission; May 12, 
1881, relative to minor city affairs; Feb. 9, 1883, providing that city 
officers, except justices, enter upon their duties on the Tuesday next 
following their election or appointment; June 3, 1883, relating to sew- 
ers and dividing the city into six wards; Feb. 9, 1884, amending the 
police act; Feb. 16, 1884, amending the fire department act; May 21, 
1884, increasing city appropriations; May 31, 1885, relating to the as- 
sessors; April 21, 1886, relating to appropriations for city purposes; 
April 26, 1886, authorizing loan of $33,000 for bridge across the Sus- 
quehanna at the foot of Washington street; March 4, 1887, relative to 
city officials; March 28, 1887, authorizing the U. S. government to 
acquire lands for federal building; May 2, 1887, relating to sewers; 
May 16, 1887, relating to city appropriations; May 19, 1887, relating to 
assessors. 

On May 2, 1888, the legislature passed an act revising the charter of 
1867 and the acts amendatory thereof. The re visionary act was so 
sweeping in its character that a substantially new and advanced form 
of municipal government was established. Under it the elective city 
officers were the mayor, two justices of the peace, four constables, 
three assessors and an overseer of the poor, all on the general city 
ticket, and an alderman and supervisor in each ward. The territory of 
the city was divided into ten wards. The council was authorized to 
appoint a recorder, clerk, treasurer, city engineer, corporation counsel 
and other officers of minor importance. The annual city election was 
to be held the second Tuesday in February, and the first meeting of 
the new council on the next succeeding Tuesday. The mayor was to 
hold office two years and receive an annual salary of $500; the clerk to 
hold two years and receive not more than $1,200 salary; the recorder 
to hold four years and receive $1,500 salary; the treasurer to hold two 
years and receive $1,200 salary; the assessors to hold three years and 
receive a per diem compensation of $3 ; the overseer of the poor to hold 
three years and receive $3 for each day's service; the supervisors to 
serve one year and receive the compensation usually allowed such offi- 
cers. The aldermen were to serve two years but not to receive pay. 

Under the act there was constituted a board of fire commissioners, 
comprising four members to be appointed by the mayor from the prin- 
cipal political parties of the state, the appointees, after the first board, 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 141 

to hold office four years; also a board of street commissioners, consti- 
tuted in the manner above mentioned and authorized to appoint a clerk 
and superintendent of streets; a board of education comprising two 
members from each of the five commissioner districts into which the 
city was divided ; a board of police commissioners, constituted as first 
above mentioned, with power (under act of April 11, 1894) to appoint 
a clerk at a salary of $150 per annum. The ward officers were one 
alderman and one supervisor to be elected in each of the ten wards of 
the city. 

The principal amendatory acts subsequently passed were as follows: 
March 20, 1889, relating to annual appropriations; March 4, 1890, re- 
lating to the police and defining the powers of the council ; April 4, 
1890, extending the city limits and dividing the territory into thirteen 
wards; Feb. 16, 1892, increasing the amount of annual appropriations; 
March 28, 1893, among other things fixing the city engineer's term of 
office at two years, and his salary at not more than $2,500 per year; 
April 11, 1894, fixing the 2d Tuesday in February as the time of the 
charter election, and also relating to the office of overseer of the poor. 

On June 1, 1895, the legislature passed an act revising the charter 
previously existing and provided, among other things, for the biennial 
elections to be held in November of each odd-numbered year. Under 
the act the city was authorized to raise annually for contingent expenses, 
$8,000; for salaries of officers, $20,000; for printing, $2,000; for the 
police department, $25,000; for the fire department, $20,000; for the 
city hospital, $5,000; for hospital purposes, the board of health and 
board of plumbers and plumbing, $3,000; for the park commissioners, 
$5,000; and for the street department the sum of 50 cents on each $100 
of assessed valuation. The act of April 21, 1896, authorized $30,000 
for the police department, and $10,000 for the maintenance of a non- 
sectarian hospital. The amendatory act of May 22, 1897, was passed 
to harmonize the city and state laws relating to the election of officers. 
By the same act the mayor's salary was increased to $1,500, and the 
incumbent of the office was declared to be an ex-officio member of the 
police, fire department and street commissions. An act passed June 
16, 1897, extended the jurisdiction of the commissioners of Ross park 
over any lands thereafter to be acquired for park purposes. The act 
of March 4, 1898, related chiefly to the terms of office of the mayor and 
other elective officials 

It is not claimed that in preceding paragraphs reference has been 



142 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

made to every act of the legislature relating to the city or its govern- 
ment, but that the synopsis furnished gives something of an idea of the 
subject matter of the leading acts passed from time to time. In other 
chapters of this work reference will be made to still other acts of the 
legislature relating to subjects there treated, hence no special allusion 
to them is considered necessary in the present connection. 

As now municipally constituted and governed, Binghamton is one of 
the most fortunate cities in the state. Throughout the period of its 
history there seems to have been shown on the part of all public officials 
an earnest and honest endeavor to accomplish the greatest possible 
good with a reasonable expenditure of public moneys; and while the 
city is known throughout the land as the home of many retired persons 
who are said to look with disfavor upon measures of public improve- 
ments which involve a considerable outlay of money, or suggests a 
proposition to issue bonds, it cannot truthfully be asserted that the tax- 
payers of Binghamton have ever been especially niggardly in this re- 
spect, or have arbitrarily and unreasonably opposed measures for the 
real public welfare. On the contrary actual contact with such proposi- 
tions has shown that our qualified voters have generously supported 
bonding measures which never should have been submitted for ap- 
proval. 

The persons chosen to administer the affairs of city government have 
been men of business capacity, who have shown the same interest in 
the public welfare as in their own personal concerns. Our municipal 
record has ever been and still is a clean page of history, and a retro- 
spective glance over the last thirty years shows much to commend and 
very little to condemn ; and to-day the advanced position which Bing- 
hamton occupies among the cities of the state is in a good measure due 
to the honesty, enterprise and good judgment of its governing officials. 
These were the distinguishing qualities of early village officers, and the 
commendable example then set seems to have had an enduring influ- 
ence with later officials. 

THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL LIST. 

Village Presidents.— Tid,r^\Q\'^. Dickinson, 1834-36; John A. Collier, 
1837; Daniel S. Dickinson, 1838; Thomas G. Waterman, 1839; Martin 
Hawley, 1840-41; Myron Merrill, 1842-43; Henry Mather, 1844; Ammi 
Doubleday, 1845; Stephen Weed, 1846; Thomas G. Waterman, 1847-48; 
Samuel H. P. Hall, 1849; Levi M. Rexford, 1850; Christopher Eldredge, 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 148 

1851; Vincent Whitney, 1852-53; Augustus Morgan, ' 1854; John Corn- 
wall, 1855, resigned June 16, 1855, and George Park elected July 8, 1855 ; 
Benjamin F. Sisson, 1856; George Park, 1857; Benjamin N. Loomis, 
1858; Tracy R. Morgan, 1859; John S. Wells, 18G0; Daniel D. Denton, 
1861; Cyrus Strong, 1862; Frederick Lewis, 1863-64; Frederick A. 
Morgan, 1865; Erasmus D. Robinson, 1866-67. 

Mayors.— AheX Bennett, 1867; Jabez F. Rice, 1868; Job N. Congdon, 
1869-70; Walton Dwight, 1871; Sherman D. Phelps, 1872; Benj. N. 
Loomis, 1873; Delancey M. Halbert, 1874; Charles McKinney, 1875; 
John Rankin, 1876; Charles Butler, 1877-78; James H. Bartlett, 1879; 
Horace N. Lester, 1880; Duncan R. Grant, 1881; James K. Welden, 
1882; JohnStuart Wells, 1883; George A. Thayer, 1884-85; Joseph M. 
Johnson, 1886; George C. Bayless, 1887; Tracy R. Morgan, 1888; Frank 
H. Stephens, 1889-90; Benajah S. Curran, 1891-92; George E. Green, 
1893-97; Jerome De Witt, 1898-99. 

Village Clerks. — Erasmus D. Robinson, 1834-36; George E. Isbell, 
1837; John C. Robinson, 1838; Alfred Hovey, 1839-40; Charles McKin- 
ney, 1841; George Park, 1842-43; Warring S. Weed, 1844; Erasmus D. 
Robinson, 1845; Theodore A. Thayer, 1846; Charles P. Cook, 1847; 
Richard Ely, 1848 ; James La Grange, 1849 ; Phineas P. Tompkins, 1850- 
51; Frederick Lewis, 1852; A. G. Stillson, 1853; Vincent Graves, 1854- 
60; Julius P. Morgan, 1861 ; Junius F. Tozer, 1862; Frank Loomis, 1863; 
William M, Hull, 1864; Julius P. Morgan, 1865-67. 

City Clerks. — Julius P. Morgan, 1867; George W. Seymour, 1868; 
William H. Scoville, 1869-74; Lewis C. Aldrich, 1875; Charles A. Hull, 
1876-77; Chauncey L. Saunders, 1878-80; Francis W. Downs, 1881; 
Edward H. Freeman, 1882-86; Walter J. Flanigan, 1887-90; Michael T. 
Garvey, 1891-92; Lewis Seymour, 1893-96; Burr W. Mosher, 1897-98; 
Selden D. Kane, 1899. 

Village Treasurers.— ]mY\\\^ Page, 1834-36 ; Henry Mather, 1837 ; Julius 
Page, 1838; Henry Mather, 1839-41; Tracy R. Morgan, 1842-43; Will- 
iam M. Ely, 1844-46; R. C. Trivett, 1847; Levi M. Rexford, 1848; 
Alfred J. Evans, 1849-50; Rodney A. Ford, 1851; J. T. Brodt, 1852; 
Tracy R. Morgan, 1853; William R. Osborne, 1854; Hiram C. Rodgers, 
1855; James S. Gary, 1856; Hiram C. Rodgers, 1857-58; Alonzo C. 
Matthews, 1859; Hiram C. Rodgers, 1860 (office declared vacant by 
the Supreme court, and Ammi Doubleday appointed July 24, I860): 

1 Major Morgan was the first elected village president; previous to 1854 the incumbents were 
appointed by the trustees. 



144 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

H. Clay Preston, 1861; Byron Marks, 1862-63; Arthur Vosbury, 1864- 
66; James W. Manier, 1867. 

City Treasurers. — ^. W. Elliott, 1867; Harris G. Rodgers, 1868; 
Clark L. Hood, 1869, resigned Nov. 11, and Tracy R. Morgan ap- 
pointed; Stephens. Newton, 1870; David M. Worden, 1871-75; Frank- 
lin T. Maybury, 1876-80; Abram M. Clonney, 1881; James B. Arnold, 
1882-85; Nicholas M. Clonney, 1886; Walter P. Pratt, 1887; David M. 
Worden 1888-90; Jacob Wiser, 1891-92; Charles P. Radeker, 1893-98; 
Reeves Darling, 1899. 

Village Attorneys. — Joseph S. Bosworth, 1834-35; Joseph K. Rugg, 
1836-38; Mayhew McDjnald, 1839-40; Horace S. Griswold, 1841; 
Benj. N. Loorais, acting, 1842; no appointment in 1843; Horace S. 
Griswold, acting, 1844; Jacob Morris, 1845-46; Horace S. Griswold, 
1847-50; George A. Northrup, 1851; George Bartlett, 1852-53; Giles 
W. Hotchkiss, 1854; Philo B. Stillson, 1855; Charles S. Hall, 1856-57; 
John R. Dickinson, 1858; George A, Northrup, 1859; George Bartlett, 
1860; William Barrett, 1861-62; D.m S. Richards, 1863; Solomon 
Judd, 1864-67. 

City Attorneys. — William H. Scoville, 1875; William J. Ludden, 
1876-77; A. De Witt Wales, 1878-79; George Whitney, 1880; A. De 
Witt Wales, 1881-86; Marvin CanniflE,' 1887-90; Charles F. O'Brien, 
1891-92; Frank Stewart, 1893. 

Recorders.— h\&yi2LXv^QX^. Andrews, 1867-72; Frederick W. Martin, 
1873; Albert D. Armstrong, 1874-77; Perry P. Rogers, 1878-81 ; Fran- 
cis W. Downs, 1882-94; James H. Roberts, 1895-Dec. 20, 189 T; Hen- 
ry C. Olmsted, Dec. 20, 1897-98; S. Mack Smith, 1899. 

City Engineers. — Henry C. Merrick, 1888, resigned March, 1890; A. 
A. Caille, acting engineer from April, 1890, to August, 1890; Henry 
C. Merrick, August, 1890, died July 8, 1892; Samuel E. Monroe, 1892. 

Justices of the Peace. — Samuel W. Rogers, 1868; William M. Crosby, 
1870; Samuel W. Rogers, 1872; Perry P. Rogers, 1873; Lyman B. 
Smith, 1874; Perry P. Rogers, 1876; William H. Hecox, 1878; Will- 
iam L. Griswold, 1880; Albert Hotchkiss, 1882; William H. Hecox, 
1884; Albert Hotchkiss, 1886; William H. Hecox, 1888; Albert Hotch- 
kiss, 1890; Watson E. Roberts, 1892; Watson E. Roberts, 1893; Al- 
bert S. Barnes, 1894-99. 

Overseers of the /i?<?r.— Walter Follett, 1868; Selah P. Rood. 1869-74; 
Robert Campbell, 1875-76; Charles M. Brown, 1877-79; William B. 

1 Under the act of 1888 this office became known as corporation counsel. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 145 

Kirby, 1880-81; Pierre W. Cunningham, 1882-85; Charles B. Dodge, 
1886-91; John F. Severson, 1892. 

Presidents of Common Council. — Frederick A. Morgan, 18G7; George 
W. Lester, 1868; Daniel Lyons, 1869; Henry B. Ogden, 1870-72; Zan 
L. Tidball, 1873; James H. Armstrong, 1874; William H. Stilwell, 
1875; James H. Barnes, 1876; Fred M. Weed, 1877-78; Orlando W. 
Earle, 1879; Marvin Canniff, 1880; Orlando W. Earle, 1881-82; Lewis 
Baird, 1883; Albert Hatten, 1884; Lewis Baird, 1885; James A. 
Wheeler, 1886; William O. Douglass, 1887; George E. Green, 1888; 
Augustus G. Wales, 1889; Timothy Good, 1890; Robert J. Johnson, 
1891; John E. Wentz, 1892-94; William Mason, 1895-96; George M. 
Moffatt, 1897; James H. Tobin, 1898; Robert J. Swink, 1899. 

Superintendents of Streets. — James Dillon, 1867; Thomas Prender- 
gast, 1868; Thomas J. Clark, 1869-73; Charles A. Beach, 1874-75; 
William Whitney, 1876-77; Charles E. Burgett, 1878; Henry C. Mer- 
rick, 1879-80; Harlan G. Blanding, 1881-83; Orlando W. Earle, 1884- 
85; Miles Leonard, 1886; Ely O. Everts, 1887-April 14, 1893; Cicero 
H. Montrose, April 14, 1893. 

Village Trustees* 1834 — Samuel Peterson, George Park, Stephen 
Weed, William Seymour, William B. Doubleday. 

1835 — Samuel Smith, Joseph Congdon, Gilbert Tompkins, Joseph K. 
Rugg, John Hazard. 

1836 — Lewis St. John, David Lanterman, Ammi Doubleday, Ezra 
Congdon, John D. Smith. 

1837 — James S. Hawley, Jesse Orcutt, Oliver Ely, Barzilla Marvin, 
Uriah M. Stowers. 

1838 — Myron Merrill, Horatio Evans, Gary Murdock, no choice in the 
4th ward, Uriah M. Stowers. 

1839— Dr. Silas West, Joseph B. Abbott, Gilbert Tompkins, Hampden 
K, Pratt, Elias Hawley. 

1840 — Roger W. Hinds, James Squires, Stephen Weed, Ezra Cong- 
don, John E. Sampson. 

1841— Dr. Silas West, Joseph K. Rugg, Lewis Haight, John C. Moore, 
N. S. Davis. 

1842— Vincent Whitney, Levi M. Rexford, Erasmus D. Robinson, 
Harry Pierce, Benjamin N. Loomis. 

1843— Vincent Whitney, Joseph B. Abbott, Hazard Lewis, Dr. Ed- 
win Eldridge, Silas A. Newton. 

* Unless otherwise stated the trustees are mentioned by wards in numerical order. 
10 



146 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

1844 — N. B. Booth, Joseph B. Abbott, Nathan Tucker, JohnC. Moore, 
James Munsell, 

1845 — Samuel H. P. Hall, Joseph B. Abbott, Hazard Lewis, John E. 
Sampson, Job N. Congdon. 

1846 — Samuel H. P. Hall, Joseph B. Abbott, Erasmus D. Robinson, 
Edward J. Boyd, Edward C. Kattell. 

1847 — Rodney A. Ford, Jacob Morris, William M, Ely, John Lewis, A. 
W. Jackson. 

1848— William Wentz, 2d, Robert C. Trivett, William M. Ely, Marvin 
P. Smith, Jacob C. Robie. 

1849 — Rodney A. Ford, William Stuart, Cyrus Strong, jr., Warring 
S. Weed, Jacob C. Robie. 

1850 — Rodney A. Ford,;WiIliam Stuart, Erasmus D. Robinson, Aspin- 
wall Martin, Job N. Congdon. 

1851— Samuel H. P. Hall, Jacob Morris, William W. Stow, Samuel W. 
Rogers, Job N. Congdon, Elmer W. Brigham. 

1852 — Lewis S. Abbott, George Park, Hazard Lewis, Samuel W. Rog- 
ers, Job N. Congdon, Elmer W. Brigham. 

1853 — J. Stuart Wells, George Park, Erasmus L. Wentz, Martin Stone, 
John H. Smith, William S. Beard. 

1854— J. Stuart Wells, Samuel J. Olmsted, Cyrus Strong, Tracy R. 
Morgan, Eli Pratt, William S. Beard. 

1855 — Benjamin F. Sisson, Samuel J. Olmsted, Morgan S. Lewis, 
Lewis S. White, Jabez F. Rice, Chester Rood. 

1856— John S. Wells, Giles Orcutt, Cyrus Strong, jr., Lewis S. White, 
Allen Perkins, Chester Rood. 

1857 — Ezra F. Davis, Giles Orcutt, Frederick Lewis, Henry H. Be- 
vier, Paul Perkins, Chester Rood. 

1858 — Daniel D. Denton, Orson Cone, Frederick Lewis, Thomas J. 
Clark, Austin W. Tyler, Horatio Evans. 

1859 — Moses T. Morgan, Charles W. Sears, Frederick A. Morgan, 
Thomas J. Clark, William H. Pratt, John Eldredge. 

1860 — Homer P. Twitchell, Harris G. Rodgers, Hiram M. Myers, 
Thomas J Clark, William Roberts, John Eldredge. 

1861— Charles S. Hall, Charles W. Sears, J. Lewis Weed, Charles 
McKinney, Francis T. Newell, William Davidson. 

1862 — Rodney A. Ford, Orson Cone, Frederick A. Morgan, James K. 
Evans, Francis T. Newell, Chester Rood. 

1863— John S. Wells, Daniel B. Simpson, Clinton F. Paige, James K. 
Evans, Paul Perkins, John Evans, 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 147 

1864— Horace N. Lester, Orson Cone, Lewis Morris, Samuel Stow, 
Paul Perkins, Charles F. Moore. 

1865— Thomas A. Sedgwick, Orson Cone, Frederick A. Morgan, Sam- 
uel Stow, William B. Booth, Chester Rood. 

1866— Thomas A. Sedgwick, Orson Cone, Frederick A. Morgan, John 
S. Conklin, William Hanlon, Josiah V. Simmons. 

1867— Thomas A. Sedgwick, Amos G, Hull, Fred. A. Morgan, Eras- 
tus W. Kent, William B. Booth, Hallam Eldredge. 

Aldermen, 1867— George W. Lester, John T. Whitmore, first ward;' 
Amos G. Hull, Frederick A. Morgan, second ward; Henry B. Ogden, 
Thomas W. Waterman, third ward; Hiram Sanders, Isaiah S. Dunham, ^ 
fourth ward; Daniel Lyons, Charles Stuart, fifth ward. 

1868— George W. Lester, John T. Whitmore, Amos G. Hull, Andrew 
J. Phelps, Henry B. Ogden, George Burr, Hiram Sanders, Benajah S. 
Curran, Lewis L. Smith, Daniel Lyons. 

1869— Dan S. Richards, John T. Whitmore, Edwin E. Jackson, An- 
drew J. Phelps, George Burr, Henry B. Ogden, Luke Doolittle, Bena- 
jah S. Curran, Daniel Lyons, Lewis L. Smith. 

1870 — Dan S. Richards, Thomas A. Sedgwick, Edwin E. Jackson, 
William Ogden, Henry B. Ogden, George Whitney, Harvey Westcott, 
Luke Doolittle, Josiah V. Simmons. 

1871 — Thomas A. Sedgwick, Moses T. Morgan, William Ogden, 
James H. Armstrong, Henry B. Ogden, George Whitney, Harvey 
Westcott, Lowell Harding, Josiah V. Simmons, Augustus M. Brown. 

1872 — Moses T. Morgan, Matthew Hays, James H. Armstrong, 
David L. Brownson, Henry B. Ogden, Zan L. Tidball, Lowell Hard- 
ing, William H. Stilwell, Augustus M. Brown, John H. Jessup. 

1873 — Matthew Hays, Orson V. Thayer, James H. Armstrong, David 
L. Brownson, Zan L. Tidball, Charles O. Root, William H. Stilwell, 
James H. Bartlett, John H. Jessup, Robert Crozier. 

1874 — Matthew Hays, Orson V. Thayer, James H. Armstrong, T. 
Edson Porter, Charles O. Root, George Germond, William H. Stilwell, 
James H. Bartlett, John H, Jessup, Robert Crozier. 

1875 — Matthew Hays, Frederick M. Weed, T. Edson Porter, Daniel 
P. Fuller, George Germond, James H. Barnes, William H. Stilwell, 
James H. Bartlett, John H. Jessup, Robert Crozier. 

1876 — Fred. M. Weed, James K. Welden, Daniel P. Fuller, Chauncey 

' In subsequent paragraphs the names only of aldermen will be given. They are mentioned 
in the order of wards unless otherwise indicated. 



148 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

B. Waterman, James H. Barnes, Alonzo Roberson, James H. Bartlett, 
W. Gus Chittenden, Robert Crozier, Lewis Baird. 

1877— Fred. M. Weed, James K. Welden, Chauncey B. Waterman, 
Burton M. Babcock, Alonzo Roberson, Robert W. Mosher, James H. 
Bartlett, W. Gus Chittenden, Lewis Baird, James E Whitbeck. 

1878 — Fred. M. Weed, L. M. Sherwood, Edward L. Lewis (short 
term). Burton M. Babcock, Edwin D. Simpson (long term), George 
Germond, Robert W. Mosher, James H Bartlett, Edwin Taylor, James 
E. Whitbeck, Benj. L. Harford. 

1879 — L. M. Sherwood, Frank H. Stephens, Edward L. Lewis, Ed- 
win D. Simpson, George Germond, Horace B. Darrow, Edwin Taylor, 
Orlando W. Earle, Benj. L. Harford, James Stone. 

1880 — Frank H. Stephens, Edwin W. Peabody, Edward L. Lewis, 
John H. Gaffney, Horace B. DarroA^, Marvin Cannifif, Edwin Taylor, 
Orlando W. Earle, James Stone, Lewis Baird. 

1881— Edwin W. Peabody, Matthew Hays, John H. Gaffney, Elbert 
A. Beman, Horace B. Darrow, Marvin Canniff, Edwin Taylor, Orlando 
W. Earle, Lewis Baird, Albert Hatten. 

1882 — Matthew Hays, William D. Stevens, Elbert A. Beman, John 
W. Lyon, Horace B. Darrow, John C. Hanley, Orlando W. Earle, 
Watson A. Heath, Lewis Baird, Albert Hatten. 

1883— William D. Stevens, John Kelly, John W.Lyon, James A. 
Wheeler, John C. Hanley, Alonzo Everts, Watson A. Heath, Ezra 
Murphy, Lewis Baird, Albert Hatten. 

1884 — Frank H. Stephens, John Kelly, James A. Wheeler, Charles 
Gale, Alonzo Everts, Alonzo Roberson, Watson A Heath, Ezra Mur- 
phy, Lewis Baird, Albert Hatten, William W. Cafferty, Robert Barnes. 

1885 — Frank H. Stephens, Herbert E. Stone, James A. Wheeler, 
Charles Gale, Alonzo Roberson, George C. Bayless, Watson A. Heath, 
Henry P. Clark, Lewis Baird, Walter Campbell, W. W. Cafferty, 
Michael McMahon. 

1886— William O. Douglass, H. E. Stone, James A. Wheeler, J. Ed- 
ward Shaple}^ George C. Bayless, William H. Stone, Henry P. Clark, 
M. L. Hollister, Walter Campbell, Andrew Moses, William W. Youngs, 
Michael McMahon. 

1887— William O. Douglass, Theo. P. Calkin, J. Edward Shapley, 
Edward F. Leighton, William H. Stone, George E. Green, M. L. Hoi 
lister, George H. Buck, Andrew Moses, John C. Oliver, William W. 
Youngs, Michael McMahon. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 146 

1888— Theo. P. Calkin, Joseph C. Jones, Edward F. Leighton, Will- 
iam P. Morgan, George E. Green, Augustus G. Wales, George H. 
Buck, Abram Van Wormer, John C. Oliver, Egbert M. Gaige, Michael 
McMahon, Timothy Good. 

1889 — Joseph C. Jones, Eli S. Meeker, Timothy Good, Egbert M, 
Gaige, Jacob M. Bennett, Michael McMahon, A. Van Wormer, William 
P. Morgan, George H. Buck, Augustus G. Wales. 

1890 — Alexander B. Carman, Robert B. Johnson, Timothy Good, E. 
G. Freeman, John P. McHale, Peter Wentz, Urbane S. wStevens, John 
A. O'Hara, Charles S. Stone, George W. Welden, Walter P. Pratt, 
John E. Wentz, Romeo H. Whitin.t;. 

1891— Alex. B. Carman, Robt. J. Johnson, Timothy Good, E. G. 
Freeman, John P. McHale, Peter Wentz, Urbane S. Stevens, John A. 
O'Hara, Charles S. Stone, George W. Welden, Walter P. Pratt, R. H. 
Whiting, John E. Wentz. 

1892— Chas. E. Smith, Robt. J. Johnson, Charles A. Wilkinson, Paul 
A. Malles, David Campbell, Corne'ias H. Lacey, George L. Parker, 
John A. O'Hara, Henry C. Olmsted, Ale.x. S. Patten, La Motte 
Blanchard, R. H. Whiting, John E. Wentz. 

1893— Chas. E. Smith, R. J. Johnson, Chas. A. Wilkinson, Paul A. 
Malles, David Campbell, C. H. Lacey, Geo. L. Parker, Henry C. Olm- 
sted, A. S. Patten, La Motte Blanchard, R. H. Whiting, John E. 
Wentz. 

1894— Frank E. Slater, James E. Northrup, William Mason, Paul 
A. Malles, James L. Talbot, Daniel Lyons. George L. Harding, 
Schuyler C. Brandt, James H. Tobin, Edgar L Bennett, Reuben B. 
Jump, John E, Wentz. 

1895— Frank E. Slater, Jas. E. Northrup, Wm. Mason, Paul A. 
Malles, Jas L. Talbot, Daniel Lyons, George L. Harding, Michael T. 
Garvey, S. T. Brandt, Jas. H. Tobin, E. L. Bennett, R. B. Jump, John 
E. Wentz. (Mr. Wentz resigned Jan. 14, 1895, and was succeeded by 
Irving C. Hull). 

1896-97— Chas. E. Smith, Jas. E. Northrup, Wm. Mason, Wm. R. 
Ashcraft, Selden D. Kane, Page W. Talbot, Nelson E. Severson, M. T. 
Garvey, S. C. Brandt, Jas. H. Tobin, Chas. E. Thompson, R. B. Jump, 
George M. Moffatt. 

1898-99— John F. Ring, S. L. Smith, L. H. Quackenbush, Chas. 
Darling, Selden D. Kane (Mr. Kane resigned in Jan., 1899, and Edward 
Guilfoyle was elected to the vacancy in February), Robt. J. Swink, H. 



150 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

H. Woodburn, James Culhane, Timothy J. McNamara, James H. 
Tobin, Chas. E. Thompson, C. M. Blewer, Irving C. Hull. 

Village Assessors. — 1834 — Vincent Whitney, Joseph Congdon, Augus- 
tus Morgan, William E. Abbott, Henry Whittlesey. 

1835— Levi M. Rexford, Jesse Orcutt, James Munsell, John R. 
Dickinson, Robert S. Bartlett. 

1836 — Leviris Seymour, Thomas Allen, Jesse Hinds, George G. 
Lay, Edward Kellogg. 

1837— Roger W. Hinds, Joseph B. Abbott, William Slosson, Chas. 
B. Pixley, Oliver C. Bradford. 

1838— Roger W. Hinds, Henry Mather, Abial C. Canoll, Jared M. 
Root, Bildad Gleason. 

1839 — William C. Johnson, Robert S. Bartlett, Thos. S. Sleeper, 
Chas. McKinney, Bildad Gleason. 

1840 — Wm. C. Johnson, Orson Cone, Abial C. Canoll, Chas. McKinney, 
Gould Stratton. 

1841 — Samuel Peterson, Thomas Allen, Wm. M . Ely, Ezra Congdon, 
Milton Edwards. 

1842 — Samuel Peterson; no others reported in the records. 
1843 — Samuel Peterson, Robert S. Bartlett, James Munsell, Samuel 
W. Rogers, John Congdon. 

1844 — Samuel Peterson, Robt. S. Bartlett, E. D. Robinson, Amos 
D. Stockwell, Eli Pratt. 

1845 — Robert S. Bartlett, Orson Cone, Harvey Way, Eli Bowker. 
1846— Roger W. Hinds, Robert S. Bartlett, Samuel Weed, Hamden 
K. Pratt. 

1847 — Nathaniel P. Pratt, Joseph Chambers, Samuel Peterson, 
Hamden K. Pratt, Austin W. Tyler. 

1848 — Isaac W. Overhiser, Samuel J. Ohusted, Samuel Peterson, 
Benj. Howland, C. M. Scott. 

1849— N. P. Pratt, S. J. Olmsted, Benj. H. Overhiser, H. K. Pratt, 
Lewis L. Smith. 

1850— Ashbel Fred Stone, S. J. Olmsted, Joseph E. Ely, H. K. 
Pratt, A. W. Johnson. 

1851 — Peter H. Terhune, Lorenzo B. Olmsted, Azariah C. Angel, 
A. D. Stockwell, Augustus B. Brandt, 

1852— N. P. Pratt, S. J. Olmsted, James H. Parsons, Vincent Graves, 
Orson Cone, Aug. B. Brandt. 

1853— A. F. Stone, P. H. Terhune, J. H. Parsons, Vincent Graves, 
A. W. Tyler, Chas. Moore. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 151 

1854— A. F. Stone, I. L Bartlett, L. B. Olmsted, Vincent Graves 
Henry Allard, Harvey Andrews. 

1855 — John Lockwood, Wm. S. Benedict, James Munsell, Nathan 

B. Ellis, A. W. Tyler, James Remmele. 

1856 — Homer P. Twitchell, Isaac L. Bartlett, Frederick Lewis, 
Augustus L. Harding:, Charles N. Abbott, James Filmer. 

1857 — Homer P. Twitchell, Orson Cone, Jesse Orcutt, Nathan B. 
Ellis, Collins Brown, Lorenzo Baird. 

1858 — Homer P. Twitchell, Loring Cook, Jesse Orcutt, Hamden K. 
Pratt, Chas. N. Abbott, James Remmele. 

1859— H. P. Twitchell, Loring Cook, E. D. Robinson, H. K. Pratt, 

C. N. Abbott, Jas. Remmele. 

1860 — James Prendergast, Loring Cook, E. D. Robinson, Wm. D. 
Hotchkiss, Luke Doolittle, Lorenzo Baird. 

1861 — James Prendergast, Spencer J. Reed, James Munsell, Gilbert 
S. Angel, Luke Doolittle, Lorenzo Baird. 

1862— Homer P. Twitchell, S. J. Reed, Jas. iMunsell, A. L. Harding, 
Collins Brown, John W. Burnett. 

1863— H. P. Twitchell, S. J. Reed, Jas. Munsell, John Guilfoyle, 
William Hanlon, John Martin. 

1864— H. P. Twitchell, Wm. F. Young, James Munsell, none in the 
4th ward, Wm. Hanlon, Lorenzo Baird. 

1865 — John F. Wells, Wm. F. Young, James Munsell, Wm. Barnes, 
Wm. M. De Long, Jas. Whitbeck. 

1866— John F. Wells, Wm. F. Young, Jas. Munsell, Jno. P. Worth- 
ing, Moses E. Conklin, Jno. W. Burnett, 

1867— Jno. F. Wells, Wm. F. Young, Jas. Munsell, Jas. M. Donley, 
Moses E. Conklin, Wm. D. Stevens. 

Citj/ Assessors.— IS67, WiUisLm F. Young; 1868, Rodney A.Ford, 
Nathan B. Ellis; 1869, William F. Young, long term; 1870, John Guil- 
foyle; 1871, Amos G. Hull; 1872, Rodney A. Ford; 1873, Erasmus 
Chollar; 1874, William S. Beard; 1875, Edwin E. Jackson; 1876, Eras- 
mus Chollar; 1877, Alonzo Everts; 1878, Wm. S. Beard; 1879, Allen 
A. Perkins; 1880, Erasmus Chollar; 1881, Wm. S. Beard; 1882, Allen 
A. Perkins, Wm. S. Beard; 1883, Alfred Dank, Allen Perkins; 1884, 
Jabez F. Rice, Alfred Dunk; 1885, Chauncey B. Waterman, Charles 
N. Abbott, Jabez F. Rice; 1886, Erasmus Chollar, C. B. Waterman, 
C. N. Abbott; 1887, Erasmus Chollar, Robert Brown, Charles D. Al- 
drich; 1888, Robert Brown, Chas. D. Aldrich, Perry P. Rogers; 1889- 



152 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

94, Robert Brown, Charles D. Aldrich, William E. Bray; 1895-99, 
Robert Brown, Charles D. Aldrich, John E. Wentz. 

Supervisors. — The village of Binghamton had no separate represent- 
ation in the board of supervisors previous to 1867, but notwithstand- 
ing the fact the supervisor of the town was generally chosen from the 
village. The town of Binghamton was created from Chenango by the 
board of supervisors, December 3, 1855, which action was approved by 
the legislature at that time. For the purpose of a complete village 
and city civil list the following succession begins with the organization 
of the town of which the village formed a part. From 1855 to 18GG, 
inclusive, the town supervisors were as follows: 

John S. Wells, 1856; Lewis S. Abbott, 1857; Job N. Congdon, 1858- 
59; Joel Fuller, 1860; Benjamin F. Sisson, 1861; Austin W. Tyler, 
1862-63; Francis T. Newell, 1864-66. 

City Supervisors. — 1867, Lewis S. Abbott, William Ogden, Thomas 
J. Clark, Job N. Congdon, John Evans. 

1868— Lewis S. Abbott, Wm. Ogden, Duncan R. Grant, Job N. 
Congdon, Lewis Baird. 

1869— Lewis S. Abbott, Wm. Ogden, Martin Stone, Ensign Conklin, 
Darwin Felter. 

1870— Lewis S. Abbott, John A. McNamara, Martin Stone, Evan R. 
Jones, Robert Campbell. 

1871 — Henry S. Jarvis, John A. McNamara, Martin Stone, Barna R. 
Johnson, Robert Crozier. 

1873— Lewis S. Abbott, William L. Griswold, Martin Stone, William 
B. Booth, Robert Crozier. 

1873 — Lewis S. Abbott, Jno. A. McNamara, George Germond, Ly- 
man B. Smith, Darwin Felter. 

1874— Lewis S. Abbott, Wm. Ogden, Henry C. Merrick, Harry 
Lyon, Darwin Felter. 

1875— Lewis S. Abbott, Wm. Ogden, H. C. Merrick, John E. Wentz, 
Lewis Baird. 

1876— Lewis S. Abbott, Charles M. Cafferty, Robert W. Mosher, 
William H. Wilkinson, J. Lewis Weed. 

1877— Carlos Cortesy, J. A. McNamara. Jas. J. Rogers, Wm. H. 
Wilkinson, Benj. L. Harford. 

1878 — Henry S. Jarvis, J. A. McNamara, Ozias L. Stevens, Wm. H. 
Wilkinson, Albert Hatten. 

1879— D. Post Jackson, J. A. McNamara, H. C. Merrick, Dudley T. 
Finch, Edwin Evans. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 16» 

1880 — Henry S. Jarvis, J. A. McNamara, Chas. O. Root, Henry W. 
Chubbuck, Edwin Evans. 

1881— Alfred J. Inloes, J. A. McNamara, Chas. O. Root, Philo H. 
Lee, Edward Harris. 

1882 — Alfred J. Inloes, J. A. McNamara, Michael J. McKaige, Philo 
H. Lee, Michael McNamara. 

1883— William H. Hecox, George W. Penrie, M. J. McKaige, Dud- 
ley T. Finch, Connell Harley. 

1884— J as. B. Cosgrove, Lewis Buffum, M. J. McKaige, D. T. Finch, 
Connell Harley, Lewis S. Abbott. 

1885— Rozelle H. Meagley, Virgil W. Ford, Ambrose L. Davis, Dud- 
ley T. Finch, Arthur Normile, Lewis S. Abbott. 

1886— R. H. Meagley, V. W. Ford, A. L. Davis, Joseph H. Mason, 
Oscar D. Chapel, Lewis S. Abbott. 

1887— R. H. Meagley, V. W. Ford, A. L. Davis, J. H. Mason, James 
C. Eldridge, L. S. Abbott. 

1888 — R. H. Meagley, Robert Morris, Norman Sherwood, Alvin D. 
Fancher, Chas. A. Evans, Oscar D. Chapel. 

1889 — Alexander B. Carman, Robert J. Johnson, Dennis J. O'Connor, 
William G. Leslie, Elbert Bishop, Alvin D. Fancher, William Brown, 
Henry T. Alden, John J. Irving, Norman Sherwood. 

1890 — Francis Gallagher, Leonidas B. Gleason, Thomas F. Sweeney, 
Wm. G. Leslie, William Pickard, Alvin D. Fancher, Wm. Brown, H. 
T. Alden, J. J. Irving, James E. Waite. 

1891— James F. Kelly, L. B. Gleason, L. S. Abbott, Chas. P. Rade- 
ker, W. G. Leslie, Moses N. Downing, Edwin Taylor, Wm. Brown, J. 
J. Irving, J. E. Waite, A. A. Ainsworth. 

1892— Leonard Whitney, L. B. Gleason, John E. Stowell, Henry 
De Voe, W. G. Leslie, Jesse W. Jansen, Edwin Taylor, Frank Lynch, 
J. J. Irving, J. E. Waite, Alex. E. Andrews. 

1893 — Andrew D. Jackson, L. B. Gleason, J. E. Stowell, Lemuel A. 
Clift, Harry Rhoades, Samuel N. Thompson, Edwin Taylor. Frank 
Lynch, Lee M. Cafferty, J. J. Irving, J. E. Waite, A. E. Andrews, 
Philo R. Newton. 

1894-95— A. D. Jackson, L. B. Gleason, J. E. Stowell, Lemuel A. 
Clift, Harry Rhoades, Willard Ruger, Edwin Taylor, Taber M. Reed, 
L. M. Cafferty, Walter S. Lyon, J. E. Waite, Ernest H. Ballon, Crosby 
T. Moffatt. 

1890-97- Martin A. Dunham, L. B. Gleason, George D. Foster, 



154 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Harry Rhoades, John A. Lyon, George H. Buck, T. M. Reed, Fred- 
erick W. McCall, W. S. Lyon, John P. Worthing, E. H. Ballon, C. J. 
Moffatt. 

1898-99— E. D. Griswold, F. B. Overfield, M. T. Knapp, G. D. Fos- 
ter, James E, Collins, F. W. Van Patten, George H. Buck, Joseph S. 
Germond, Samuel Hanford, John J. Irving, John P. Worthing, Charles 
L. Pake, E. J. McCann. 

POST-OFFICES AND POSTMAvSTERS. 

On the first day of April, 1803, a post-oi^ce was established at Che- 
nango Point. The first postmaster was William Woodruff, who also 
was landlord of the village tavern and combined both avocations under 
one roof. The first post-office in this vicinity was that at Chenango 
village, just above Mount Prospect, on the west side of the Chenango 
river. It was established in 1795, Joshua Whitney, the pioneer, being 
the postmaster. About 1800 Orringh Stoddard succeeded Mr. Whitney 
and removed the office to the valley of the Susquehanna river, about 
five miles below Chenango Point. This removal was a serious incon- 
venience to the inhabitants of Chenango Point, hence an application 
was made for a new office in this locality. The result was that land- 
lord Woodruff was appointed postmaster of the newly created office at 
Chenango Point. The name was continued until May 29, 1830, and 
was then changed to Binghamton. 

In 1887, Mr. Millard, then our representative in congress, secured 
the passage of an act appropriating $150,000 for a federal building in 
this city. Later on a special representative of the post-office depart- 
ment visited the city and selected lands on Wall street as a site for the 
proposed structure. The building was erected in 1891, and was occu- 
pied for post-office purposes in March, 1892, during the postmastership 
of Colonel Dunn. 

The postmasters at Chenango Point and Binghamton, with date of ap- 
pointment of each, have been as follows: 

William Woodruff, appointed April 1, 1803; Robert Morrell, January 
1, 1810; Jacob McKinney, January 1, 1812; William Woodruff, July 1, 
1813; Jacob McKinney, July 1, 1816; Zenas Pratt, October 28, 1818 
John C. Swain, January 25, 1822; Virgil Whitney, August 26, 1823 
Virgil Whitney, May 29, 1830;' Tracy Robinson, October 28, 1833 

' Reappointed when the name of the office was changed from Chenango Point to Binghamton. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 155 

Benjamin T. Cooke, April 14, 1841; Tracy Robinson, October 22, 1842 
John H. H. Park, March 3, 1847; Benjamin T. Cooke, April 18, 1849 
Franklin Whitney, March 30, 1852; Virgil Whitney, January 14, 1853 
Joseph B. Abbott, August 1, 1856; Virgil Whitney, October 24, 185G 
William Stuart, March 28, 1861; Edward B. Stephens, April 21, 1870 
George W. Dunn, December 20, 1881; Edward H. Freeman, July 26, 
1886; James C. Truman, November 30, 1888; George W. Dunn, March 
18, 1889; Charles A. Hull, November 6, 1893; Charles F. Terhune, 
May 6, 1896; James H. Roberts, February 23, 1898. 



CHAPTER XI. 
CITY BUILDINGS AND DEPARTMENTS OF MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. 

Previous to the erection of Firemen's hall in 1857-58 the village 
trustees had no regular place for holding meetings. The first board 
meeting in 1834 was held at Samuel Peterson's tavern, on the corner 
where now stands the Congregational church edifice. Landlord Peter- 
son was not only a hospitable entertainer but also was one of the first 
trustees and, withal, one of the worthies of the village. The board 
frequently assembled at his house and as often perhaps in other places 
on the east side of the river. Henry Jarvis' and Albert Way's taverns 
were occasionally utilized for the transaction of corporation business 
by the trustees, while nearly all the public houses of the village were 
designated as polling places on annual election day. On one occasion 
during the early fifties the election was held at hotels in five of the six 
wards of the village. If one of the trustees happened to be a merchant 
or professional man meetings were occasionally held at his place of 
business. The village records were generally kept at the residence or 
place of business of the village clerk, or in the safe of one of the trus- 
tees, for the board during the first twenty-five years of corporate 
existence was generally composed of the foremost business men of the 
place. 

Firemen's Hall — As early as 1850, when the population numbered 
about 3,500 inhabitants, the village authorities felt the need of a corpo- 
ration hall, and discussions looking to that end were frequent; but 



I 



156 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

about that time the expenditures for public improvements, houses and 
equipments for the fire department were so large that the question did 
not advance beyond the agitation period. The subject, however, was re- 
vived during the winter of 1856, and on April 10, of the following year, 
the legislature authorized the trustees to borrow, "on the faith and 
credit of the village," a sum not exceeding $10,000 for the purchase of 
a site and the erection thereon of an engine house together with suit- 
able rooms for corporation purposes, and a "Firemen's hall." 

In accordance with the act a special election was held June 3, 1857, 
when the proposition to borrow money was submitted to the qualified 
voters of the village. The result was 79 votes for and 20 against the 
measure. About the same time the trustees appointed a committee 
comprising Frederick Lewis and Paul Perkins to procure a suitable site 
for the engine houses which the supervisors had then ordered removed 
from the northeast corner of the court house square. The committee 
acted with due diligence, but the act of the legislature and the result 
of the special election necessitated a change in proceedings; therefore, 
on June 6, after the trustees had wrestled with the subject and had 
finally succeeded in removing the objections which always arise in cer- 
tain quarters in municipal affairs, a new committee, comprising 
Frederick Lewis, Paul Perkins and Frederick A. Morgan, was appointed 
to examine sites, enquire as to the probable cost of the same, and re- 
port to the board as soon as possible. Then arose the conditions usual 
to such an emergency, and available lots increased in value with sur- 
prising rapidity. The committee faithfully performed its dut}-, exam- 
ined with critical eyes and a corresponding sense of responsibility the 
proposed sites, every one of which they had known for years; they 
heard the claims and representations of owners, none of whom really 
cared to dispose of their lands, but under the circumstances felt it their 
duty to do so. The committee reported to the trustees but nothing 
further was done for several days, except that the board discussed the 
matter as a committee of the whole. 

On July 6, Giles Orcutt, Paul Perkins and Frederick A. Morgan were 
directed to procure plans and specifications for a brick engine house. 
Commissioners Orcutt and Perkins were well qualified to pass upon 
the quality of material proposed to be used in the work of construction, 
while Mr. Morgan was chosen to particularly look to the interior 
arrangement of the building for its intended use. His experience in 
fire department affairs and his thorough understanding of its require- 
ments especially fitted him for this work. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 



157 



In the meantime the trustees were castinj^ about for a favorable site 
and on July 20 the committee reported an offer from Barzilla Marvin 
to sell to the village a lot of land 75 x 75 feet in size, on Collier street, 
for the sum of $2,750. Among the several sites offered this appeared 
the most satisfactory, and on October the trustees directed its pur- 
chase, the price having in the meantime fallen to $2,084. The com- 




Firemen's Hall, 1857-189."). 



mittee on plans had also completed its work, and on the same day the 
board directed its president (George Park) and clerk (Vincent Graves) 
to enter inter a contract with Allen Perkins for the erection of " Fire- 
men's Hall," according to plans drawn by architect A. R. Cole. The 
contract price was $7,916, thus exhausting the appropriation to a math- 
ematical nicety. Firemen's hall was one of the conspicuous public 
buildings of Binghamton for a period of forty years. It was of brick, 
with stone trimmings, three stories high, well built, and was an honor 
to its builder and the committee and architect who supervised its plans. 
The ground floor was divided into five compartments for fire company 
occupancy ; the second story was occupied in part for company business 
rooms and parlors, and also for many years as board of education and 



158 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

common council rooms, and also as police headquarters and city re- 
corder's office;' the third floor was wholly occupied as the once famous 
Assembly hall, where the senior Fred. Lamoreaux taught dancing- 
classes and gave "hops and balls;" where city and county conventions 
were held, and where teacher's institutes and other notable assemblages 
were accustomed to gather. Indeed, for many years the hall was the 
most popular place in the village and city for all public gatherings, 
social, fraternal and political, but at last, having faithfully served its 
every purpose, the building was declared unsafe for further occupancy, 
at least by large audiences on the upper floor. The bell in the cupola 
became too great a weight for the structure longer to sustain, hence in 
1874 the city fathers caused its removal and the erection of a bell tower 
over Academy street. 

About this time there arose in official circles a demand for a new, 
larger and more modern city hall to replace the old building. On June 
9, 1875, the legislature passed an act authorizing a loan of $75,000 for 
the erection of a city hall and lockup, and designated Charles McKin- 
ney (the mayor), Rodney A. Ford, Sherman D, Phepls, Delancey M. 
Halbert, Solomon F. Gary, Job N. Congdon and William Tremain com- 
missioners to negotiate for the purchase of a suitable site therefor. 
Nothing, however, was accomplished under the act, and the old build- 
ing was repaired and afterward held some of the largest gatherings 
ever assembled in the hall; and that notwithstanding the fact that ad- 
vocates of the new building project loudly declared the structure to be 
absolutely unsafe. 

The Municipal Building and Fire Station. — Soon after 1890 the de- 
mand for a new city hall was renewed with increased energy, the old 
arguments and others of more recent origin being urged in its favor. 
The legislative power was again invoked, the authority was granted, 
and in February, 1895, a resolution was offered in the council request- 
ing the committee on city buildings and property to take immediate 
steps toward erecting a new city hall in place of the old structure. The 
committee had the matter under consideration when, on April 22, an- 
other resolution declared that two-thirds of the council were of the 
opinion that the sum of $150,000 should be expended in tearing down 
firemen's hall and erecting a new city hall and fire station on the site. 

> For a short time Abraham De Witt occupied a portion of the second floor rooms as a place 
of residence, and his son, Charles K. De Witt, enjoys the pleasant distinction of having been the 
only child born in the building. The event took place July 6, 1868. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 



159 



The resolution was objected to and "went over under the rule," but 
was called up on May 6, at which time matters had assumed a different 
form. It was then resolved to submit to the taxpayers a proposition to 
raise $125,000 for a city hall, and a further sum of $25,000 for a fire 
station on another site. 




Municipal Building. 



This question was determined at a special election held May 28, 1895, 
when 725 votes were cast for and 182 against the city hall project, and 
687 for and 208 against the fire station. For the purposes of the latter 
building the council, by resolution passed August 19, 1895, purchased 
the Corbett and Gray property on Chenango street, paying therefor 
$10,000. On November 4 the plans prepared by architect A. W. Rey- 
nolds were adopted, and on November 25 the contract for construction 
was awarded to Alexander B. Carman, the consideration being $11,605. 
The building was completed in due time, and has since been occupied 



160 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

by Crystal and Mechanics' hose companies, the steamers "City of Bing- 
hamton " and " Bennett," and also as department headquarters. 

On March 4, 1896, the common council ordered a special election to 
be held on March 24, at which time the taxpayers were asked to vote 
an appropriation of $20,500 for the purchase of an additional fifty- three 
front feet of land adjoining the firemen's hall site on the north. The 
result was 471 votes for and 469 against the measure. The city there- 
upon acquired of Frances M. Brown the premises so long occupied in 
earlier years by Barzilla Marvin and his successor, Dr. Titus L. Brown. 

Ample grounds being thus provided, the council advertised for plans 
for a large and elegant municipal building, and referred the question 
of selection to a special committee. After the latter had reported, con- 
struction bids were invited, and on April 7, 1897, the contract for erec- 
tion was awarded to James Stewart & Co. of Buffalo. The corner 
stone of the building was laid with Masonic ceremony on July 5, 1897, 
and during the latter part of 1898 the work was pronounced complete. 

The municipal building cost $121,549. It is of stone, and from an 
architectural point of view is one of the most attractive structures in 
this part of the State. 

The City Hospital — Previous to the early part of 1887 the city was 
without a public hospital for the care of sick and injured persons, 
and the only institution which offered any relief whatever for such 
cases was the hospital department of the House of the Good Shepherd, 
the accomodations of which were limited, while the house itself was a 
purely denominational institution. 

In the early part of January, 1887, a number of interested citizens 
held a meeting in the parlors of Hotel Bennett for the purpose of test- 
ing public sentiment in relation to the hospital question, and also to 
effect a partial organization in case a favorable opinion of the project 
was found to prevail. Dr. Orton was chosen chairman, and Fred 
Westcott secretary of the meeting. Opinions were freely exchanged 
and a resolution was unanimously adopted in favor of organizing a hos- 
pital association. Radcliffe B. Lockwood, Harvey Westcott and James 
W. Manier were appointed to suggest the names of nine trustees for 
the proposed association (the number was afterward increased to 
fifteen trustees), but Mr. Wescott and Mr. Manier were constantly en- 
gaged with other pressing business affairs, hence much of the prelimi- 
nary work of organizing and perfecting the association naturally fell 
upon Mr. Lockwood, who was a retired business man. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. IGl 

On January 24, 1887, the " Bing-hamton City Hospital " was duly in- 
corporated by articles of association filed in the Broome county clerk's 
office. The incorporators named were Radcliflfe B. Lockwood, J. 
Warren Merchant, Harvey Westcott, James K. Welden and James W. 
Manier. The trustees for the first year were John Anderson, Horace 
H. Crary, George Graver, Stoddard Hammond, jr., Edward F. Jones, 
J. Warren Merchant, Edmund O'Connor, George L. Parker, Julius E. 
Rogers, James K. Welden, Radcliffe B. Lockwood, James W. Manier, 
Harvey Westcott, John G. Orton and Charles B. Richards. As stated 
in the articles of association, the object of the organization was to 
"establish and maintain a charitable hospital for the medicinal and 
surgical treatment of human diseases, and such other charitable work 
as may be incidental thereto." 

The organization being thus effected, the association became perma- 
nent at the meeting of January 29, 1887, when officers were elected as 
follows: President, Edward F. Jones; vice-president, Harvey West- 
cott; secretary, Radcliffe B. Lockwood; treasurer, Stoddard Ham- 
mond, jr. 

In February, 1887, Cyrus Strong donated to the association the sum 
of $1,000 on condition that the trustees transfer to him any contingent 
interest the association might have in the House of the Good Shepherd 
home and hospital. This action in fact released the home from any 
obligation to maintain a hospital for city or emergency cases and made 
it more distinctively a denominational institution. 

In January, 1888, the association leased the Lowell Harding resi- 
dence and property for hospital occupancy, and soon after the institu- 
tion was opened for the reception of patients. The trustees also made 
a contract of purchase for eighty front feet of the Harding lands, with 
the intention to erect a modern hospital building, but all their plans 
were not fully carried out. In fact, the necessity of a general city hos- 
pital under municipal control had by this time become apparent. The 
common council voted an annual appropriation for hospital mainte- 
nance, which, with the proceeds of a series of entertainments, and con- 
tributions from generous citizens, enabled the trustees to carry on their 
admirable work. The association enterprise was an entire success, yet 
the need of a strictly city institution was constantly increasing. This 
feeling became fully evident in 1892, when the trustees proposed to 
raise by popular subscription the sum of $25,000 for the erection of a 
suitable hospital building. 



103 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Much of the success of the association during the seven years of its 
corporate management was due to the persevering efforts of the board 
of lady managers, appointed in March, 1888, the personnel of which, 
originally, was as follows: Mrs. A. D. Armstrong, Mrs. M. L. Barnes, 
Mrs. H. W. Chubbuck, Mrs. Asher Coates, Mrs. H. H. Crary, Mrs. 
George Dwyer, Mrs. Dr. L. D. Farnham, Mrs. F. A. Hoag, Mrs. G. W. 
Lester, Mrs. Daniel Lyons, Mrs. J. W. Merchant, Mrs. C. D. Middle- 
brook, Mrs. Joseph Schnell, Mrs. Gilman L. Sessions and Mrs. Harvey 
Westcott. 

The officiary of the board of trustees under the association manage- 
ment was as follows: Edward F. Jones, president; Harvey Westcott, 
vice-president; Radcliffe B. Lockwood, secretary, and Stoddard Ham- 
mond, jr., treasurer, all elected January 29, 1887. On February 12, 
1887, General Jones resigned and Harvey Westcott was chosen presi- 
dent in his stead. At the same time James W. Manier was elected 
vice president, vice Westcott; Almerin Johnson succeeded John Ander- 
son as trustee. Mr. Manier subsequently resigned and James M. Stone 
succeeded him as trustee. On January 7, 1888, Mr. Westcott was 
elected president ; Horace H. Crary, vice-president; Radcliffe B. Lock- 
wood, secretary, and Stoddard Hammond, jr., treasurer. In Novem- 
ber, 1889, the officers elected were Harvey Westcott, president; Horace 
H. Crary, vice president; George L. Parker, secretary, and Stoddard 
Hammond, jr., treasurer. In November, 1890, Mr. Crary was elected 
president; Julius E. Rogers, vice-president; George L. Parker, secre- 
tary, and Stoddard Hammond, jr., treasurer. In November, 1891, 
Julius E. Rogers was elected president; Robert J. Bates, vice-presi- 
dent; George L. Parker, secretary, and Mr. Hammond, treasurer. In 
November, 1892, '93 and '94 the officers of 1891 were re-elected. 

At a meeting of the common council held April 23, 1894, Mayor 
Green called attention to the necessity of immediate steps toward the 
erection of a city hospital, although the initial movement in that direc- 
tion had been taken in the preceding year. Soon afterward, the ques- 
tion having been favorably discussed both in official and general circles, 
the council determined to act, and advertised for sites for the proposed 
hospital buildings. Many were offered and considerable feeling was 
manifested in the matter. The most favorable proposal was that of 
Burton M. Babcock, who offered several lots on Mitchell avenue, with 
a Park avenue front, for $5,000. This offer was accepted August 3, 
1804, all preliminaries having been settled, and the necessar}' appropri- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 163 

ation of money having been sanctioned by the taxpayers, in June, 1895, 
the council awarded the contract for constructing the buildings, the 
work being apportioned to several builders. Our present city hospital 
is the result of this action, although in later years several important 
additions and changes have been made to the structure. 

Under "an ordinance providing for the control and management of 
anon-sectarian city hospital," passed April 3, 1893, the affairs of the 
institution were vested in a board of managers, of six members, citi- 
zens, electors and taxpayers, appointees of the mayor, chosen equally 
from the two principal political parties of the state, and to hold office 
six years after the expiration of the terms of the members of the first 
board. The first appointees were James K. Welden, for one year; 
Francis W. Downs, two years; Julius E. Rogers, three years; Robert 
J. Bates, four years; Charles M. Stone, five years; and William S. 
Lawyer, six years. 

The subsequent changes in the personnel of the board have been 
about as follows: Mr. Welden died January 13, 1895, and on March 12, 
following, Charles F. Sisson was appointed his successor. Judge Downs' 
term expired May 8, 1895, and James Sullivan was appointed to suc- 
ceed him. Mr. Bates resigned November 21, 1895, and Robert H. Rose 
was appointed to the vacancy. In 1896 Mr. Rogers was reappointed. 
In September, 1897, managers Rogers and Stone resigned, and William 
H. Cannon and W. R. Turner were appointed to succeed them. On 
January 18, 1898, Mr. Turner resigned and H. Chester Larrabee was 
chosen in his stead. In May, 1899, Manager William S. Lawyer was 
reappointed. 

Under the regulations of the board the mayor is entitled to preside at 
all meetings. The by-laws adopted April 13, 1896, provided for a 
president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer of the board, but by 
subsequent change the officers are a president, secretary and treasurer. 
Previous to 1896 the officers were the chairman and secretary. Mr. 
Rogers was the first chairman and Mr. Welden the first secretary of the 
board. Mr. Stone became secretary after Mr. Welden's death, and 
served in that capacity until his resignation in September, 1897. In 
1896 Mr. Rogers was chosen vice-president, Mr. Stone secretary and 
Robert H. Rose treasurer. These officers were re-elected in 1897. In 
March, 1898, Mr. Sisson was elected vice-president, William S. Lawyer^ 
secretary, and Robert H. Ro.se, treasurer. The officiary of the board, 
as established in March, 1899, is as follows: Charles F. Sisson, presi- 
dent; William S. Lawyer, secretary; H. Chester Larrabee, treasurer. 



164 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

A board of lady visitors was established under the by-laws of April, 
13, 1896, and was constituted as follows: Mrs. Joseph Schnell, Mrs. 
Oilman L. Sessions, Mrs. William H. Wilkinson, Mrs. C. F. McCormack, 
Mrs. Stoddard Hammond, jr., Mrs. George M. Harris, Mrs. Horace 
H. Crary, Mrs. A. D. Armstrong, Mrs. M. L. Barnes, Mrs. P. L. 
Brintnall, Mrs. N. H. Bump, Mrs. John P. Moore and Mrs. J. M. Far- 
rington. In later years the personnel of the board has been somewhat 
changed. 

City Water Works — -Previous to the construction of a modern system 
of water works in 1867 and the years immediately following, Bingham- 
ton was inadequately provided with means for contending against 
fires, while domestic wants were supplied from wells of varying depths 
scattered throughout the village. These were generally dug on private 
property and designed for family use, though from six to ten or more 
houses were frequently furnished with water from a single well. 
Occasionally several public spirited citizens would unite in digging a 
well for the public benefit, the same being located in the near vicinity 
of their dwellings or places of business; and it frequently happened 
that the well was located near the center of the highway, after the es- 
tablished custom of all country villages. 

In the early history of the village several wells of the latter descrip- 
tion were constructed, one of the most conspicuous of which was 
"Peterson's well," located on Main street, near the corner of Front 
street. It was named in allusion to Samuel Peteison, whose tavern 
stood on the nearby corner and was the common resorting place for all 
the villagers west of the Chenango river. vStill further down Main 
street was the " Stocking well," which also was dug in the middle of 
the road near the residence of Solon Stocking, after whom it was 
called. Near the corner of Court and Washington streets, and just 
outside the present curb line in front of the City National bank building, 
was a well built by Dr. Elihu Ely and other owners of land in that 
vicinity. This well supplied all the stores and residents in that neigh- 
borhood for many years, and was finally covered with stones and earth 
after street lines and grades were established. On Water street, a few 
rods north of Court street, was once the well known " Tompkins well." 
Another was at the foot of Carroll street, and was a famous well in 
"Millville" for a long time. Still another was at the foot of Varick 
street, and was in service until about twenty years ago. 

Private family wells were numerous throughout the village, but no 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 166 

attempt will be made to recall any except those which happened to be 
so located as to attract public attention. Not every owner could afford 
the expense of digging, stoning up and curbing a well on his own land, 
hence the custom of several families using water from the same well, 
the well having been dug at the cost of all with the understanding that 
the water should be common to all. But the old well standing on the 
knoll near the Broome County bank was strictly private property, yet 
it supplied water to all the business places and families near the corner 
of Court and Chenango streets. The same was equally true of the 
" Bartlett well," on Washington street between the Hamilton Collier 
dwelling and Robert wS. Bartlett's dwelling. This was one of the much 
used wells of the village, and, to quote the words of an old resident, 
"its waters were seldom quiet." James Prendergast's store stands 
very near the site of the Bartlett well. On Collier street, on land 
now occupied by the Barrett building, was the "Brown well," from 
which the academy pupils, occupants of firemen's hall and a score of 
other buildings obtained their daily supply of water. An old well also 
existed on the Court House grounds, east of the Court House, from 
which the jail supply was obtained for many years. 

A board of health of perhaps, somewhat informal character was es- 
tablished in the village soon after 1850, and it was the custom and duty 
of that body to look to the surroundings of the public and private wells 
and see that the water was free from impure matter. Rodney A. Ford, 
Job N. Congdon and Dr. George Burr were among the earliest mem- 
bers of the village board of health. 

At length, however, the population had so increased that the public 
welfare and safety demanded more modern means of supplying the vil- 
lage with water for domestic and manufacturing purposes, as well as 
providing more efficient means of extinguishing fires than was afforded 
by pumping water from the rivers, the canal, Brandywine creek or 
any of the several cisterns which the trustees had caused to be con- 
structed in various remote and unprotected localites. This subject first 
attracted serious attention about 1855, and two years later steps were 
taken, though more than ten years passed before the desired improvement 
was secured. 

On April 13, 1857, the legislature passed an act to incorporate the 
Bijighamton Water Works company. The prime movers and incorpo- 
rators in the enterprise were James Eldredge, George Park, Charles 
Eldredge, Levi M. Rexford, Thomas Jackson and Phineas B. Tomp- 



166 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

kins, who were authorized to perfect the company organization with 
$100,000 capital, and also to construct and maintain a system of water 
supply for the village. The company began its preliminary work with 
a fair prospect of success, but for some now unknown reason the project 
was soon afterward abandoned. 

On February 18, 18G0, the act of 1857 was amended by the legisla- 
ture, and John A. Collier, Sherman D. Phelps, Daniel S. Dickinson, 
William R. Osborn, Hazard Lewis and Samuel H. P. Hall were de- 
clared to be a body corporate by the name of " The Binghamton Water 
Works company," with a capital of $50,000. This company, like its 
predecessor, was authorized to acquire and hold real estate, construct 
reservoirs or other source of water supply, lay pipes through the public 
streets of the village, and to do all acts necessary to establish a com- 
plete water works system. 

The second company encountered the same obstacles as did the first, 
and still other embarrassments due to the political situation just pre- 
ceding the war of 1861-65, hence proceedings under the enabling act 
were so long delayed that the incorporators took no further steps to- 
ward the construction of the works. Then for a period of seven years 
more the people of the village continued in the primitive ways of early 
times. 

In 1866 the subject was revived, but in another form, as the village 
authorities proposed to construct the water works as a corporate meas- 
ure and maintain it as such. However, before definite action was taken 
the village became a city, and when on April 25, 1867, the board of 
water commissioners then created became a distinct municipal body, 
vested with the authority necessary to construct the system at the pub- 
lic expense, and in payment therefor to issue bonds on the credit of the 
city to the extent of $100,000. 

The first board of water commissioners comprised William P. Pope, 
Edward F. Jones, J. Stuart Wells, Sabin McKinney and Frederick 
Lewis, and under their direction the work of construction was begun. 
On the permanent organization of the board Mr. Pope was elected 
president, Frederick Lewis, treasurer, and Julius P. Morgan, clerk. 
The Holly pumping system of machinery was adopted, upon which the 
board secured a tract of land between Brandywine creek and the rail- 
road bridge, on the river front. Here the necessary buildings and 
pumping station were erected, and two large storage and supply wells 
were constructed. These wells are still in use although the subsequent 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 167 

growth of the city necessitated additional sources of water supply in 
other and still larger wells, with an intake pipe extending into and up 
the wSusquehanna a considerable distance, thus securing an abundant 
supply of pure water beyond the possibility of pollution from city 
sewage. 

The original work of erecting buildings and settling machinery and 
of laying main pipes through the city streets occupied the attention of 
the commissioners during the year 1867 and the early part of 1868. In 
the latter year water was first pumped into the mains for general dis- 
tribution. The system was an admirable one for the time, but at 
length the cement pipes began to show weakness under fire pressure, 
and were afterward required to be replaced with pipes wholly of iron. 
The work of relaying of course covered a period of several years, and 
not until about 1890 was the last of the old cement piping taken from 
the streets. 

During the thirty and more years of operation of our water works 
system, frequent changes, enlargements and additions in all its depart- 
ments have been made by the commissioners, but each step has been 
one of progression and increased capacity, keeping even pace with the 
growth of the city in other directions. The commissioners, too, have 
been selected from the best business men of the city and, fortunately, 
partisan politics has rarely been a factor in the choice. Unlike any 
other auxiliary department of city government, the members of the 
board are elected by the people, annually in June, and in the event of 
vacancy the remaining members have power to frll the place by ap- 
pointment. • 

After the completion of the original works the revenues derived from 
water rates were not equal to the annual expenditures and payments of 
interest and principal on the bonds, and it was not in fact until after 
1887 that the department became self sustaining. Again, the rapid 
growth of the city necessitated the constant extension of the service to 
distant localities, with a consequent outlay of money in carrying out 
the work. On the morning of March 10, 1874, the pumping station was 
seriously damaged by the explosion of one of the large boilers. In this 
disaster engineer David J. Smith was instantly killed, and fireman 
William J. Courtney and John Malane were seriously injured. To re- 
build the boiler house and replace the boiler cost the city nearly 
$12,000. 

A few weeks after the accident all the commissioners resigned, and 



168 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

on the first Monday in June following an entire new board was elected, 
as follows: Harper Dusenbury (for 5 years), John Evans (4 years), 
James B. Weed (3 years), John Anderson (2 years), Abel Bennett 
(1 year). The new board organized June 8, 1874, by the election of 
Harper Dusenbury, president, James B. Weed, treasurer, and Thomas 
A. Sedgwick, superintendent and clerk. 

From that time to the present the affairs of the board have been 
managed prudently and upon safe business principles, and no serious 
event has since disturbed the councils of the commissioners. As occa- 
sion has required, with but a sing'le exception, the taxpayers have 
promptly consented to all the bonding measures suggested by the 
board, and full harmony has always characterized the relations of the 
people and the commissioners. 

Unfortunately, during the first fifteen years of existence of this 
branch of city government, the records of the board were not well kept, 
hence much information which might be of interest in this connection 
cannot be furnished; but beginning with the current year 1885, the 
minutes of proceedings have been fully recorded and an annual report 
has been published. These reports disclose that in the years 1885-87 
the city made annual appropriations for maintenance and extension of 
the water works system as follows: In 1885, $14,170; in 1886, $14,065; 
in 1887, $12,460. 

The city has a present total of 66 miles 345 feet of street main pipe, 
921 valves, 662 general and 13 private fire hydrants. The total num- 
ber of taps (presumably meaning water takers) is between 6,000 and 
7,0Q0. About 480 water meters are in use. The amount of water 
bonds outstanding is $163,000. 

The following table shows the aggregate receipts and expenditures 
of the board of water commissioners from 1885 to 1899. The table is 
interesting in that it illustrates the growth both of the water works 
department and the city : 

Receipts. Expenditures. 

1885 ."...$41,477.23 $58,292.11 

1886 46,663.58 60,785.92 

1887 ..54,725.86 . 66,190.81 

1888 61,582.98 62,726.68 

1889.. 66-,106.67 57,895.26 

1890 70,713.59 91,622.66 

1891... 73.237.17 73,969.88 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 169 

Receipts. Expenditures. 

1892 80,119.26 64,184.77 

1893 77,276.54 63,127.20 

1894 81,044.90 58,648.31 

1895 87,455.74 54,939.88 

189G 90,908.04 86,030.26 

1897 92,108.50 101,494.07 

1898 92,013.13 73,644.52 

Water Co3ninissioiie7's (with date of election or appointment). — Wm. 
P. Pope, Edward F. Jones, J. Stuart Wells, Sabin McKinney, Frederick 
Lewis, designated April 25, 1867, under the act creating the commis- 
sion ; William E. Taylor, appointed June 24, 1867, vice Jones, resigned; 
William E. Taylor, 1870; J. Stuart Wells, 1871; Frederick Lewis, 1872; 
Wm. P. Pope, 1873; Simeon C. Hitchcock, appointed October, 1873. 
vice Wells, resigned; Harper Dusenbury, John Evans, James B. Weed, 
John Anderson, Abel Bennett, new board elected June 1, 1874; Abel 
Bennett, 1875; John Anderson, 1876; James B. Weed, 1877; John Evans, 
1878; Harper Dusenbury, 1879; Abel Bennett, 1880; John Anderson, 
1881; James B. Weed, 1882; Duncan R. Grant, 1883; George W.Lester, 
1884; Jefferson Kingman, 1885; John Anderson, 1886; James B. Weed, 
1887; Duncan R. Grant, 1888; George W. Lester, 1889; John Bayless, ap- 
pointed January 2, 1890, vice Weed, resigned; Jefferson Kingman, 1890; 
William Shanley, appointed September 16, 1890, vice Lester, resigned; 
John Anderson, 1891; Stoddard Hammond, appointed Nov. 21,1891, 
vice Anderson resigned; John Bayless, 1892; Stoddard Hammond, 1892; 
Duncan R. Grant, 1893; Moses Stoppard, 1894; Jefferson Kingman, 
1895; Stoddard Hammond, 1896; John Bayless, 1897; Duncan R. Grant, 
1898. 

Presidents of the board— William P. Pope, June 12, 1867-June, 1874; 
Harper Dusenbury, 1874-84; John Anderson, 1884-91; Duncan R. 
Grant, Nov. 21, 1891-99. 

Treasurers — Frederick L«wis, June 12, 1867-June, 1874; James B. 
Weed, June 8, 1874-Jan. 2, 1890; John Bayless, Jan. 2, 1890-99. 

Secretaries— Julius P. Morgan, June 12, 1867-Sept. 23, 1868; Thomas 
A. Sedgwick, Sept. 23, 1868-July 30, 1874; Albert A. Rose, July 30, 
1874-Sept. 15, 1875; Chauncey L. Saunders, Sept. 15, 1875-June 4, 1883; 
Perry P. Rogers, June 4, 1883-March 3, 1884; Horace E. Allen, March 
3, 1884-died Nov. 4, 1891; John Anderson, Nov. 21, 1891-99. 

Superintendents— Thomas A. Sedgwick, July 25, 1868-April 12, 1875; 
Darwin Felter, April 12, 1875-99. 



170 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

The personnel of the present board of water commissioners, with the 
office staff, is as follows: Commissioners, Duncan R. Grant (president), 
John Bayless (treasurer), Jefferson Kingman, Moses Stoppard, Stod- 
dard Hammond; John Anderson, secretary; Darwin Felter, superin- 
tendent; John D. Davidson and Michael F. Dillon, inspectors. 

TJie Police Board — The board of police commissioners as established 
by act of the legislature passed April 3, 1881, and now existing, had 
the effect to entirely remove that important branch of municipal 
government from the uncertain control of political factions and to 
place it in charge of a non-partisan body of men whose chief aim has 
been to increase the efficiency of the police force. Previous to the 
creation of the board the common council held the power to regulate 
the force, and each political change in city government was followed 
by a corresponding change in the police department, with all its attend- 
ing inconveniences and complications. Under the act referred to the 
mayor was authorized to appoint four police commissioners to consti- 
tute the board, the first appointees to hold office one, two, three and 
four years, as lot should determine. Later appointments were made 
for a term of four years, beginning February 1. The mayor is an ex- 
ofificio member of the board. 

In 1867 the first city police force comprised chief James Flynn and 
five policemen. In 1881 Charles D. Rogers was elected chief, C. Bur- 
dette Able, assistant chief, and at the same time nine policemen were 
appointed to comprise the force. That there has been substantial im- 
provements and enlargements in later years is shown in the fact that 
the present force includes a chief and two assistants, two roundsmen, 
twenty-nine patrolmen and a detective. In 1867 an annual appropria- 
tion of $5,000 was ample for the ordinary and contingent expenses of 
the department; the charter now authorizes $30,000 for the same 
purpose. 

The personnel of the board of police commissioners from 1881 to the 
present time has been as follows: 

Commissioners — Tracy G. Rich, appointed Feb., 1881, for one year; 
reappointed 1882 and 1886; service expired Feb., 1890. J. Stuart 
Wells, appointed Feb., 1881, for two years; re-appointed 1883; resigned 
Feb. 12, 1883. George W. Dunn, appointed Feb., 1881, for three 
years; re-appointed 1884; resigned Feb. 28, 1885. Lewis S. Abbott, 
appointed Feb., 1881, for four years. Edward F. Jones, Feb. 15, 1883. 
Jas. F. Carl, appointed Feb. 14, 1884; re-appointed 1885 and 1889. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 171 

Peter K. Burhans, appointed Feb. 38, 1885; re-appointed 1888. Patrick 
J. McTighe, appointed April, 1885; reappointed 1887. Frank B. 
Newell, appointed 1890; re-appointed 1894; resigned Feb., 1895. John 
B. Simpson, appointed Feb., 1881. Erasmus C. Delavan, appointed 
1892; resigned July 24, 1893. Patrick J. McTighe, appointed Feb, 
1893; re-appointed 1897. Jonas M. Kilmer, appointed July 24, 1893; 
re-appointed 189G. Nehemiah L. Osborn, appointed 1895; died May 
26, 1898. Charles R. Williams, appointed 1895. Thomas B. Crary, 
appointed 1898. George W. Welden, appointed June 4, 1898; re-ap- 
pointed 1899. 

The present commissioners are Jonas M. Kilmer, term expires 1900; 
P. J. McTighe, term expires 1901; Thomas B. Crary, term expires 
1902; George W. Welden, term expires 1903. 

Secretary.— Charles W. Gennet, appointed Feb. 14, 1881, and served 
continuously to the present time. 

Police Attorneys.— (Under act of Feb. 9, 1884,) Millard Fillmore 
Brown, appointed March 3, 1884; A. De Witt Wales, appointed May 6, 
1889; Rollin W. Meeker, appointed Feb. 4, 1895; James T. Rogers, 
appointed May G, 1895; Albert Hotchkiss, appointed March 7, 1898. 

Chiefs of Police. — James Flynn, 1867; Barzilla Kent, 1868; James 
Flynn, 1869-75; Thomas Johnson, 1876-77; Jesse Germond, 1878-79; 
James Flynn, 1880; Charles D. Rogers, 1881-88; Charles Meade, 1889- 
98; William Moore, 1899. 

Board of Health. — In the early history of the village the trustees 
occasionally made informal provision to improve the sanitary condition 
of the property and buildings in the immediate business centers, and 
while authorized by laws then existing to enforce stringent measures 
in that direction their action seldom went beyond a request to remove 
such nuisances as were positively dangerous to public health. As early 
as 1852 the board appointed John Congdon and Rodney A. Ford as 
health officers, and in the next year Dr. George Burr was added to their 
number. The appointments to this office, however, were not regularly 
made, nor was there a regularly constituted board of health previous to 
the charter of 1867. 

Under the charter the council was authorized to appoint two of its 
members as a "committee on public health," which appointees, with 
the mayor and city clerk, was the constituted board of health of the 
city. The appointment of a health officer was also authorized by the 
charter, and upon the physician thus designated generally devolved the 



172 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

entire duties of the board, as the mayor and clerk gave the subject little 
if any attention, while the council committee only heard complaints and 
requests and then referred them to the health officer. The board pos- 
sessed all necessary power to act yet seldom enforced the strict provis- 
ions of the law. 

In 1882, in pursuance of an act of the legislature, a regularly consti- 
tuted board of health was established in the city, and was vested with 
more arbitrary powers than was possessed by any auxiliary department 
of local government. Its authority was and still is supreme, and gen- 
erally final in that it is seldom resisted. Men of determined character, 
who believe in the fearless enforcement of unpleasant duties, are best 
fitted for service as health commissioners. Fortunately for Bingham- 
ton, the members comprising the board have possessed the essential 
qualities for the faithful performance of their duty, and the result of 
their efforts is seen in the admirable sanitary condition of the city at 
the present time. 

The board as now constituted was created in 1882, and comprises six 
members, with the mayor ex-officio, the latter being its presiding offi- 
cer. The appointees of the board are a health officer, secretary and 
registrar of vital statistics, sanitary inspector, bacteriologist and at- 
torney. Originally the board appointed only a health officer, who also 
performed the duties of secretary, but as the business of the depart- 
ment increased with the growth of the city other officers were made 
necessary. The succession of members of the board of health since 
1882 has been as follows: 

Commissioners.'' — Thomas J. Clark, Alvah Bloomer, Edwin Taylor, 
George A. Bishop, S. W. Crandall and Dan S. Burr, original members 
appointed 1882; Jas. F. Carl, September, 1882; Charles C. Edwards, 
1883; J. Frank Rice, Homer B. Boss, 1881; Theodore B. Schenck, 1885; 
Hiram Barnum, Charles B. Richards, Stephen B. Brass, 1886 ; James H. 
Barnes, 1887; D. Post Jackson, Albert Hatten, 1889; Orrin P. Mason, 
1891 ; N. Love, 1892; D. A. Davis, George B. Curtiss,Timothy Good and 
Lyman Clock, 1893; E. E. Snyder, 1895; Edward E. Powell, 1896; 
Christopher P. Pratt and Leslie M. Wilson, 1897; T. B. Van Alstyne and 
John Ehresman, 1898. The present board comprises Timothy Good, 
C. P. Pratt, T. B. Schenck, Leslie M. Wilson, T. B. Van Alstyne and 
John Ehresman, 

IlealtJi Officers.— V>. Post Jackson, 1809-72; Henry Oliver Ely, 1873- 

• The year of appointment onl}- is given. The regular term begins in May. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 17:3 

75; C. D. Spencer, ISTO; Dan S. Burr, 1877-71); Joseph H. Chittenden, 
1880; D. Post Jackson, 1881; C. D, Spencer, 1882-85; Wm. F. Race' 
1886-88; Dan S. Burr, 1889-98; I. Adelbert Hix, 1898-99. 

Secrttaries and Registrars. — Dan S. Burr, pro tern., 1882; C. D Spen- 
cer, 1882-86; W. F. Race, 1886-89; Dan S. Burr, 1889-95, Caroline 
Davis, 1895; William H. Abbott, Aug. 1, 1896-99. 

Sanitary Inspector. — Orrin R. Mason, appointed Feb. 27, 1893. 

Attorney. — Charles H. Hitchcock, appointed 1895. 

City Bacteriologist. — Mrs. E. H. M. Fancher. 

The Street Commission. — Previous to the charter revision of 1888 the 
affairs, control and management of the public streets of the city was 
vested exclusively in the common council and the committee on streets 
walks and bridges. In the year mentioned the legislature passed an 
act establishing a bi-partisan board of street commissioners, comprising 
four members (appointees of the mayor), who should hold ofBce four 
years. The first board, however, was to determine the term of office 
of its members by let. In accordance with the act, Mayor Morgan 
appointed George A. Kent, James Prendergast, Benjamin De Voe and 
Philo H. Lee to comprise the first board. The board was organized 
June 10, 1888, and from that time the control of the streets has been 
under its charge. The mayor is ex-officio president of the board, but 
has no vote in its councils except in case of a tie. The board appoints 
the superintendent of streets and also its own clerk. Previous to May 
1, 1893, the city clerk acted as clerk of the board, but on that day Reu- 
ben H. Waters was appointed to the position. The present clerk, W. 
Paul Mosher, was appointed September 22, 1896. The superintendents 
of streets since the board was established have been Ely O. Everts and 
Cicero H. Montrose, whose appointments are noted in the city civil 
list. 

The board of street commissioners has been in existence ten years, 
but while none of its original members are now in office only seven new 
appointmments have been made by the mayor. The succession of 
members, with the year in which new appointments have been made, 
has been as follows: George A. Kent, James Prendergast, Benjamin 
De Voe, Philo H. Lee, 1888; Elbert A. Beman, August, 1888; vice 
Kent lesigned; Lewis Baird, 1890; George H. Barlow, 1891; William 
Mosher, 1893; Charles Wales 1896; Edward E. Powell, Jan., 1898, 
vice Wales resigned ; William E. Carpenter, 1899. 



174 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

ROSS PARK. 

"The Lookout" ' at Night. 

by leon mead. 

The wilding splendors of the year 
I find asserted bravely here ; 
And through the hemlock boughs afar, 
Burns brilliantly the Northern Star; 
And yonder moon's bright amber sheen 
Gives all the leaves a tav/ny green. 
Fit place is this to think and rest. 
On " Lookout's" open, level crest. 
The city's lights are spread below, 
Like ghosts of fallen stars they glow ; 
And where the two fair rivers meet 
The scene with beauty is replete. 

And to the East, with feudal guile, 
Looms up a spacious granite pile ; 
Oh, do the wild eyes there behold 
The God-made grandeur manifold. 
That reaches out on every hand, — 
The witching, valley-dimpled land? 
Hid is Chenango's placid face 
In Susquehanna's close embrace; 
And onward thence unto the sea 
Is lost her own identity. 

Previous to the year 1875 the city of Binghamton had no public 
park or other similar place of resort except the limited enjoyment de- 
rived from the ample grounds surrounding the court house. The sub- 
ject of a park had been frequently discussed by the people and the 
press, yet no encouraging effort was 'made in that direction until 
Erastus Ross made a generous gift of land in 1875. 

The deed by which this splendid property was conveyed to the city 
was dated July 28, 1875, and although the tract included about 100 
acres of land no consideration whatever was asked by the donor. 
It was indeed a generous gift and was doubly welcome from the fact 
that it was wholly unexpected; still, the act was only the reflex of Mr. 
Ross' liberal spirit. He had long been a resident of Binghamton and 
in the course of his business career had accumulated a fortune. 

The park tract was formally accepted by the common council August 

I " The Lookout " is one of tlie most delightful localities in the park. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 170 

9, 1875, but before that time the public had accepted the gift with 
abundant expressions of appreciation and gratitude. The informal 
opening was celebrated by a picnic and demonstration which was at- 
tended by thousands of our people. The council, too, soon took action 
and designated a commission comprising Edward F. Jones, William 
B. Edwards, Byron Marks, John Anderson, Tracy R. Morgan, Job. N. 
Congdon and Edwin G. Halbert, under whose direction the lands were 
surveyed, mapped and laid out as a public resort both for pleasure and 
rest. 

The commission above mentioned was the inception of our present 
board of park commissioners, although nearly three years passed before 
the latter was created by the legislature. The board organized by elect- 
ing General Jones chairman, Judge Edwards as treasurer, and Byron 
Marks as secretary. The prelimiary surveys and improvements were 
made under the direction of Charles A. Beach. 

Thus was Ross Park established. The council made small apprcjpri- 
ations for improvements during the early years of the commi.ssion, but 
the expense of performing the first work was really borne by individual 
subscribers to a general fund. At the opening picnic more than $1,000 
was raised in this way, and in the years following still greater sums 
of money were contributed in the same manner. After the commission 
was established the work of improvement was carried on from year to 
year, and as the popularity of the resort increased with the city's 
growth the council gradually enlarged the annual appropriations for 
the use of the commissioners. The park to-day shows the result of 
more than twenty years development, yet with annual appropriations 
varj'ing from $2,500 to $3,250 little more than maintenance of present 
improvements can be accomplished. 

The office of park commissioner was created by the legislature in an 
act passed May 23, 18T8, and under its provisions the mayor was 
authorized to appoint seven citizens to constitute the board of "park 
commissioners of the city of Binghamton." On June 1, 1878, Mayor 
Butler designated William B. Edwards, Tracy R. Morgan, Job N. Cong- 
don, Edwin G. Halbert, Matthew Hays, Byron Marks and John Ander- 
son as the first board. The latter was almost identical with that which 
existed under the common council. General Jones of the first board 
resigned in April, 1876, and Matthew Hays was appointed in his place. 
The officiary of the old board was also maintained during the year, 
Judge Edwards being chairman and treasurer, and Byron Marks secre 
tary. 



17C BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

After the permanent organization the board at once began the work 
of improving the park tract and otherwise making it an attractive and 
safe resort for all persons, and particularly for women and children. 
How well the task was accomplished is attested in the widespread pop- 
ularity of Ross park at the present time. However, much of this for- 
tunate condition of things is due to the efforts of the Park Amusement 
company, an adjunct of the Binghamton Railroad company. 

The city charter authorizes an annual expenditure of $5,000 for park 
purposes, but the greatest amount yet placed at the disposal of the com- 
missioners was $3,250. On April 15, 1897, the authority of the com- 
mission was extended over all lands thereafter acquired for park pur- 
poses, hence the fund must be divided according to the demands made 
by the added tracts. 

The act creating the park board provided for the appointment of 
commissioners by the common council, but gave to the board the right 
to appoint incumbents when the council failed to do so. The records 
show that the appointees have been more frequently designated by the 
commissioners than by the council. 

The park commissioners,' from 1875 to present time, have been asfol 
lows; Edward F. Jones, William B. Edwards, Byron Marks, John An 
derson, Tracy R. Morgan, Job N, Congdon and Edwin G. Halbert, ap 
pointed July 26, 1875; Matthew Hays, May 29, 1876; Wm. B. Edwards 
Tracy R. Morgan, Job N. Congdon, E. G. Halbert, Matthew Hays 
Byron Marks and John Anderson, appointed June 1, 1878; Alonzo 
Evarts, Duncan R. Grant and Truman I. Lacy, 1883; Burton M. Bab 
cock, 1886; Reuben H. Butler, 1887; George E. Green and Marillo L 
Hollister, 1889 ; Alvah Bloomer, Fred. E. Ross and Eli S. Meeker, 1890 
Allen Banks and Michael McMahon, 1891; Arthur S. Bartlett, 1896. 

Presidents— Edward F. Jones, 1875-76; Wm. B. Edwards, 1876-85 
Truman I. Lacy, 1885-92; Byron Marks, 1892-93; Truman L Lacy, 
1893-94; John Anderson, 1894-95; Michael McMahon, 1896-98; Arthur 
S. Bartlett, 1898-99. 

Vice-presidents — ^Byron Marks, 1891; Truman L Lacy, 1892; John 
Anderson, 1893; Eli S. Meeker, 1894; T. I. Lacy, 1895-96; Arthur S. 
Bartlett, 1897; Eli S. Meeker, 1898-99. 

Secretaries— Byron Marks, 1875-85; William B. Edwards, 1885-90; 
Marillo L. Hollister, 1890-99. 

' The succession furnished shows the year of appointment of the original commissioners, and 
also the year in which new members came into the board. Many incumbents served several 
years and the date of their reappointment is not deemed necessary to this chapter. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 177 

Treasurers— William B. Edwards, 1875-79; Tracy R. Morgan, 1879- 
83; Byron Marks, 1883-85; Duncan R. Grant, 1885-88; Reuben H. But- 
ler, 1888-90; Fred. E. Ross, 1890-95; John Anderson, 1895-99. 

vSuperintendentb' — Henry Sherman, 1884; Nelson Cohoon, 1885; 
Henry Sherman, 1887; Frank S. Smith, 1892-99. 

Examining' and Supervising Board of Plumbers and Plumbing. — This 
branch of city government was established under chapter 602 of the 
laws of 1892, by which the mayor was authorized to appoint two mas- 
ter plumbers, one journeyman plumber, the city eng'ineer and one mem- 
ber of the board of health to constitute the examining and supervising 
board of plumbers and plumbing for the city. In accordance with the 
provisions of the act on August 4, 1892, Mayor Curran appointed Mar- 
tin S. Bramble and David J. Malane, master plumbers; Virgil Hadley, 
journeyman plumber; Elisha S. Monroe, city engineer, and Theodore 
B. Schenck, of the city board of health, to comprise the first board. 
Since that time the composition of the board has changed but little. 
On May 6, 1895, Orrin R. Mason, sanitary inspector for the board of 
health, replaced Mr. Schenck as ex-officio member of the plumbing 
board. 

In 1894 L. A. Galpin, master plumber, was appointed by Mayor Green 
to succeed Mr. Bramble, whose term had expired. On January 7, 1895, 
Frank Kelley, journeyman plumber, was appointed to succeed Mr. Had- 
ley. In the same year D. J. Malane, master plumber, was reappointed. 
In September, 1897, Mr. Kelley resigned and John N. Schnepper, jour- 
neyman plumber, was chosen in his place by Mayor Green. In De- 
cember following Mr. Hadley was appointed to succeed Schnepper. In 
1898 Mr. Malane was again appointed. On July 1, 1899, Mr. Hadley 
resigned and was succeeded by John F. Hurley, journeyman plumber. 

The board in 1899 is comprised as follows: L. A. Galpin, master 
plumber, president; D. J. Malane, master plumber; J. F. Hurley, jour- 
neyman plumber; S. E. Monroe, city engineer; Orrin R, Mason, sani- 
tary inspector. John J. Irving has been clerk of the board since July, 
1893. 

The presidents of the board, in succession, have been D. J . Malane, 
Theodore B. Schenck, L. A. Galpin, D. J. Malane, L. A. Galpin. 

Civil Service Commission. — Previous to 1884 the civil service rules of 



* The office was originally known as superintendent of work and was filled during the pleas- 
ure of the board. Captain Smith was the first regularly appointed superintendent of the park. 

12 



178 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

the state applied only to cities having more than 50,000 inhabitants, 
but under chapter 410 of the laws of that year all cities of the state were 
brought under the provisions of the act. 

Soon after the act became a law Mayor Thayer appointed William F. 
Van Cleve, Dr. D. S. Burr and Frank Stewart members of the local 
civil service commission. The duties of the office were not then oner- 
ous, as only policemen were subject to the civil service rules, but in 
later years the rules were extended to include within their scope nearly 
all employees under the several departments of city government. 

With each succeeding political change in the mayoralty a new or par- 
tially new board was created, but it appears that the incumbents of the 
office did not keep a reliable record of proceedings, hence the complete 
succession of commissioners cannot be furnished in this connection. 
Under Mayor Green's term of office few changes were made and the 
affairs of the commission were conducted in a business-like manner. 
David M. Johnson, Clark Z. Otis and Jacob M. Kenwood then com- 
prised the commission, with Mr, Otis acting as clerk a part of the time. 
These commissioners resigned in January, 1899, and were succeeded by 
Charles E. Smith, Adelbert J. Schlager and Hiram Goldsmith, ap- 
pointees of Mayor De Witt. Mr. Smith declined to serve and Harry 
C. Walker was appointed in his place, and was made president of the 
board. Eldon R. Carver was a former clerk of the commission. 



CHAPTER XII. 
THE BINGHAMTON FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

The first attempt to organize a fire department in Binghamton was 
in 1834, under the act of the legislature incorporating the village, 
although the act of 1813, conferring limited corporate powers on the 
inhabitants of the village, authorized the formation of a fire company 
of not more than twenty-five members. It is understood that under 
the original act no steps were taken in the matter of providing appa- 
ratus or means of extinguishing fires other than the ordinary precau- 
tions of the citizens in keeping in convenient places primitive leather 
buckets. 

The act of May 3, 1834, authorized the trustees to establish and or- 
ganize one or more fire and hook and ladder companies of not more than 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 179 

sixteen members each, who, "when attached to any engine, " were 
exempt from military duty, except in case of insurrection or in- 
vasion. The trustees were also authorized to remove firemen and 
appoint others in their places; to prescribe the powers and duties of 
the companies in preventing and extinguishing fires; to compel every 
male inhabitant to keep two water buckets of a size and kind described 
in the general by-laws governing the village; to construct cisterns and 
reservoirs for the use of the village in case of fire. 

Section 2 of the ordinance passed June 18, 1834, directed that "every 
householder or occupant of any store, shop, room or building in 
the village shall procure, by the first day of September next, and keep 
two leather buckets, holding not less than two gallons each, to be used 
in case of fire;" but by ordinance adopted August 11, the time in which 
to procure the buckets was extended to October 1, the number of buck- 
ets was reduced to one, and they were to be furnished by owners of 
buildings instead of occupants. 

By an ordinance adopted June 30, 1834, the trustees appointed these 
persons as members of hook and ladder company No. 1 : George E. 
Isbell, George F. Bragg, Locy Halstead, Levi M. Rexford, Jesse 
Orcutt, E. B. Freeman, John M. Brownson, Walter Rood. James A. 
Smith, Avery W. Dewey, Elisha S. Avery, Horatio Smead, Alfred J. 
Evans, Hector Kneeland, Rulandus B. Hinman and William H. Pratt. 

At the same time and under the same ordinance the trustees ap- 
pointed the following members of hook and ladder company No. 2: 
Joseph K. Rugg, Cyrus Butler, Horatio Evans, Henry W. Shipman, 
James Munsell, James Jones, Vincent St. John, Ephraim F. Matthews, 
Jared N. Root, Roger W. Hinds. David Lanterman, Jolvn D. Smith, 
Ross W. Esterbrook, Henry Mather, Vincent Whitney and Edward 
W. Kellogg. 

The members of the companies thus appointed were directed to meet 
at the house of Orcutt & Freeman (the old hotel on Water street, 
which is still standing) on August 18, and proceed to elect by ballot, 
in each company, a captain, foreman, clerk and three auditors, who 
should hold office until the next annual election. It was also provided 
that every member who refused to attend the election should be sub- 
ject to a fine of $2; and every officer who declined to accept the posi- 
tion to which he should be chosen should be subject to a fine of $5. 

The trustees by their ordinances prescribed the duties of all officers 
of the department, and clothed the auditors with judicial powers to 
hear excuses for non-attendance or neglect of duty at fires, and in case 



180 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

they found the "delinquent to be culpable," to report him to the trus- 
tees that he be fined according to the ordinances, not exceeding one 
dollar for each offense. The duties of firemen were also particularly 
defined, and they were subject to call from the captain for "exercise," 
at such times as he thought proper. The ordinances were signed by 
Daniel S. Dickinson, village president, and Erasmus D. Robinson, 
clerk. 

At the time of organizing the fire companies referred to in preceding 
paragraphs, the trustees directed Stephen Weed and George Park to 
procure a supply of hooks, ladders and axes, and also to cause the erec- 
tion of a suitable ladder house in some convenient place. Under this 
authority the committee employed Tompkins & Avery to construct 
eleven ladders, for which they paid $30.90. They also caused a ladder 
house to be built on the northeast corner of the court house square. 
The work was undoubtedly done by Stephen Weed, who at the time 
was a builder and contractor. The building was a primitive structure, 
being an open shed with rack arranged under the roof for storing the 
ladders. Every villager had access to the house and in the course of a 
short time nearly all the apparatus was taken away by whoever had 
need for its use. This practice was the source of much annoyance to 
the trustees, the records disclosing the frequent appointment of com- 
mittees to look up the ladders and have them returned to their proper 
places. The trustees also provided a long wagon to serve the purpose 
of a truck, which was kept in the ladder house, but it appears to have 
shared the fate of the other apparatus, for when the companies had 
need of it only the "hind wheels" remained. 

Such was the character and composition of the fire department of 
Binghamton as established in 1834. A glance at the list of firemen 
who comprised the first fire companies will disclose the names of many 
of the foremost men of the village at that time, who were prominently as- 
sociated with its early and most interesting history. Not one member of 
either of the old companies now lives, but in the city at the present 
time may be found scores of the descendants of those whose names are 
recorded on the honorable roll. It is the purpose of this chapter to 
bring to the reader's attention the names of as many as possible of the 
members of the village fire department during the earlier years of its 
existence, and thus preserve for future generations not only their names 
as firemen, but also as men who took an unselfish interest in the 
growth and welfare of the village, the safety of its inhabitants and 
the protection of its property. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 181 

It appears, however, that notwithstanding the promptness of the 
trustees in organizing the first fire companies, the latter were not par- 
ticularly efficient in the performance of their duties. The real founder 
of a fire company in the village was Thomas Parker, a mason by trade, 
who took an active part in early affairs. He formed a hook and ladder 
company and was its first foreman, and was also instrumental in the 
erection of the ladder house on the square, on the site afterward occu- 
pied by Cataract engine company's building. 

From the village records it appears that the first fire wardens were 
appointed by the trustees at their first meeting in 1834, and were Myron 
Merrill, George T. Ray, Levi Dimmick, Gary Murdock and Isaac 
Leavenworth, representing the five wards in the order mentioned. The 
wardens in 1835 were Myron Merrill, David Lanterman, Levi Dimmick, 
Gary Murdock and Edward Kellogg. 

On June 25, 1836, a petition signed by ninety one citizens, whose 
names are not found on the records, requested the trustees to raise 
$600 for the purchase of a fire engine ; and at the same time a petition 
signed by William H. Pratt and fifteen other citizens (whose names, 
vmfortunately, are not preserved) requested the board to organize 
'■'Naiad Fire Company." Nothing was done at the time in response 
to the petitions, but on July 12, the board resolved to raise $800 by tax 
to purchase an engine and other apparatus for the village, and directed 
Joseph K. Rugg to secure them. Under this authority Ghief Rugg 
purchased a small "Button engine," which was used by the firemen 
for some time, and was afterwards manned by the members of Gataract 
No. 2 until it became unserviceable and was abandoned. A little later, 
Henry M. GoUier, who succeeded Rugg as chief, bought another Button 
engine and organized original " Water Witch " company. The latter 
company used the engine until Mr. Button came on to get his money, 
upon which the trustees paid for the machine, and turned it over to 
Phoenix No. 1. • 

Water Witch Fire Company, the original company so called, was or- 
ganized in pursuance of a resolution of the trustees in July, 1836, under 
the name of " Binghamton Fire company," and comprised the follow- 
ing members: William H. Pratt, Henry M. Gollier, James Eldredge, 
George Gongdon, James Smead, A. W. Martin, Peter Glow, Isaac L. Bart- 
lett, Galeb Roberts, James Bigler, William Bigler, John Scoville, Isaac 
Bishop, Thomas Johnson, J. P. Sutton and D. Horton. After the com- 
pany went into service and was accepted by the trustees, it became 
known as Water Witch No. 3. Henry M. Gollier in fact fathered the 



182 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, ' 

organization and bought the engine, but after the trustees assumed the 
obligation and paid for the machine, it was temporarily kept in a va- 
cant building owned by John A. Collier standing on the site of the Ross 
block, at the corner of State and Court streets.' Under Chief Rexford 
the engine was turned over to Phoenix No. 1, which was then com- 
manded by Foreman Abraham De Witt. The latter company used the 
engine until the trustees procured a new one, after which the old ma- 
chine was placed in charge of Rescue No. 3, a company organized on 
the west side of the Chenango river, occupying quarters on the east 
side of Front street, a few rods south of the corner of Main street. 

On January 10, 1837, trustees Lanterman and Congdon were ap- 
pointed a committee to ascertain the cost of a site for an engine house, 
and in due time reported that a lot could be purchased from John D. 
Smith for $250. On March 15 the trustees resolved to buy the Smith 
lot " on the west side of Exchange street, commencing at the southwest 
corner of John Bartholomew's lot, thence running south 20 feet, and 
thence west to the public land." The purchase secured to the village 
the land at the northeast corner of the Court House square, where Cat- 
aract and Fountain companies were afterward located, and about where 
also stood the old ladder house, of which mention has been made. 

Previous to this time an engine house had been built (probably by 
private subscription and the exertions of the firemen) on the east side 
of Collier street, about opposite the present municipal building. It 
stood on the square on a tract of land formerly used as a sand bank and 
gravel bed. The constant removal of the earth had made the spot 
comparatively level, and the site was quite convenient for the purpose 
of an engine house. After the village purchased the Smith lot the 
building on the sand bank was moved to the new location, and was 
raised to two stories in height, thus making it a presentable and ser- 
viceable structure. It was occupied by Cataract No. 2, and adjoining 
it on the east was the building soon afterward erected for and occupied 
by Fountain Fire company, now Fountain Chemical Engine No. 4 Fire 
company, the only one of the many organizations of its kind which has 

' Sometime during the forties Water Witch No. 3 lost its identity as a fire company. In fact 
it was not until several months after the company was formed that the trustees formally accepted 
its service. Under the department reorganization in February, 1843, the approved members of 
Water Witch No. 3 were Henry M. Collier, W. H. Patterson, Samuel Hogg, jr.. Stephen Baxter, 
E. L. Wentz, Solomon Aldrich, David W. Gage, Samuel Hogg, sen., Matthias Chitterling, E. S. 
Hart, Matthew Hogan, D. L. Ronk, Wm. Hanlon, C. L. Campbell, Nick. Carman, jr., John El- 
dredge, John B. Scoville, S. D. Heard, John Boyle, Maurice Byrne, John H. Smith, B. W. Morse, 
A. R. Sprout, A. Stiles, A. H. Seaman, James Felter, Reuben Delano, J. M. Walker, J. G. Ervine, 
A. Bennett, Thos. Ireland and John Lewis. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 183 

had an unbroken record from pioneer fire department days to tlie pres- 
ent time. 

On June 6, 1837, the trustees purchased from Wm. Piatt & Co a new 
engine and apparatus, paying therefor $1,032. This purchase secured 
the engine which was given in charge of Cataract No. 2, and also a 
two wheeled tender strong enough to carry 200 feet of hose. 

Phoenix Fire Company was organized by the trustees August 1, 1837, 
with the following members: Charles L. Robinson, James H. Halsted, 
Evan M. Johnson, John H. H. Park, Albert C. Morgan, Russel B. Tripp, 
Charles Rogers, Jacob Morris, jr., John McNiel, Thomas G. Halsted, 
Frederick A. Morgan, Charles Tupper, Charles Cole, William Castle, 
George Dyer and William H. Abbott. 

On April 9, 1838, upon petition of the citizens, the trustees directed 
Barzilla Marvin to purchase not. more than thirty feet of hose for the 
use of No. 1. Mr. Marvin carried out his instructions by employing 
Thomas Allen to make the hose. It was much smaller than the hose 
now used, and was made to fit the capacity of the engine. The seams 
were sewed, and not riveted, but the work was well done and " Uncle 
Tommy's" hose gave good service for several years longer than the 
average similar product of the present day is warranted to wear. 

The company adopted a constitution and became formally organized 
under the ordinances of the village, November 28, 1842. At that time 
the members who signed the constitution were Charles B. Stow, Thomas 
Ryder, Luther Sawtell, Asa K. Starkweather, William L.Woolsey, John 
P.Worthing, Morgan S. Lewis, Abraham De Witt, Thomas Totten.Wm. 
Mahar, G. S. Ronk, James Calph, Benj. S. Phillips, Joshua Hamblin, 
Wm. C. Capron, C. H. Tupper, Albert C. Morgan, Samuel Johnson, 
Hugh Crow, Job N. Congdon, C. L. Robinson, Jacob Shear, John S. 
Wells, Samuel Weed, John H. H. Park, N. Gary, Mordecai Corsaw, 
Joshua H. Whitney, Vincent Graves, Benj. Ingraham, Lewis S. Abbott, 
Isaac Aldrich. 

The roll was again revised in February, 1843, and the names of John 
A. Wells, C. H. Tupper, Henry Eldredge, Frederick Lewis, Hobart El- 
dredge, Andrew Titus and Charles De Witt were added to the member- 
ship. In August following Tracy R. Morgan, Robert Meacham, George 
W. Moore, Richard Squires, "Jack" Keyes, William F. Colwell, Joel 
E. Bancroft, John Sullivan and Phillip Stever were approved by the 
trustees and members. Subsequent reorganizations of the company 
were effected June 19, 1857 (when Junius F. Tozer was foreman ; James 



184 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Hazeley, assistant foreman; Robert H. McCune, 2d assistant; Z. Hen- 
derer, treasurer, and Albert C. Morgan, clerk) and June 19, 1860. 

Phoenix Fire company had no permanent quarters for storing its 
apparatus previous to 1841, in which year the trustees resolved to build 
an engine house for its use. It was proposed to erect the building on 
the lot with the school Jiouse on the corner of Franklin (now Washing- 
ton) and Hawley streets, but after the sills were laid Daniel S, Dickin- 
son, who lived on the adjoining lot (where now stands the Dairy Asso- 
ciation building) strongly objected to an engine house so near his 
dwelling, and coupled the protest with the information that the lot was 
conveyed for the sole purpose of a school; whereupon the firemen and 
carpenters carried the timbers to a vacant lot on the east side of Frank- 
lin street, where now stands a building owned by Harvey Westcott. On 
this lot was built the engine house of Phoenix Fire company, better 
known as "old No. 1." Here the company maintained its headquar- 
ters for nearly ten years, using the coffee mill until the trustees con- 
sented to purchase a new and improved apparatus. In 1850 the village 
leased a lot on Collier street, where now stands the municipal building, 
to which location Solomon Aldrich moved the engine house from Frank- 
lin street during the summer of that year. In November following, 
through trustee Rodney A. Ford, the village purchased the Collier 
street lot, paying therefor the sum of $300. 

The year 1842 was memorable in the history of this veteran fire- 
fighting organization. The company had long felt the need of a new 
and modern engine, as the sweeping fires of 1838 and '39 had demon- 
strated the inefficiency of the primitive machines then owned by the 
village. Still the trustees were not disposed to invest in additional 
apparatus as they believed the village finances hardly justified the out- 
lay. But the company and its friends were persistent, and determined 
to bring the subject to the attention of the board with a petition so 
formidable that the trustees would not decline to act. To this end a 
petition was signed by all the officers and members of the company, 
and at the same time several other petitions were circulated through- 
out the village, all praying the trustees to grant the company's request, 
on the main ground that the organization was too efficient to be allowed 
to disband for want of proper apparatus. 

The several petitions of the occasion are herewith reproduced, as an 
interesting reminiscence of village history, showing not only the names 
of members of the company at the time, but as well the names of nearly 
all the voting population of the village. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 185 

The petitions were as follows : 

" To the Honorable the President and Board of Trustees of the Vil- 
lage of Bingham ton; greeting: 

"Your petitioners, the foreman and members of the Phoenix fire 
company, respectfully represent that the engine now under the 
control of your petitioners has by long use become so worn and broken 
as to be of very little utility; and that notwithstanding the demands 
upon the company for repairs have been constant and tedious, they 
have found it impossible to keep it in order or render it effective. 

" The prayer of your petitioners is therefore that a new and more 
efficient engine, with suction and leading hose, be purchased for their use 
with such other aid to be granted as by your honorable body shall be 
deemed necessary. 

"Praying your early attention to this our petition, we subscribe 

Ourselves 

"Your Honors' humble petitioners. 

"William H. Abbott, foreman; Charles F. Marsh, assistant fore- 
man; Henry S. Smith, clerk; Albert C. Morgan, Morgan S. Lewis, 
John H. H. Park, Thomas Ryder, Abraham DeWitt, William Woolsey, 
Thomas Woolsey, Vincent Graves, John Calph, Hugh Crow, Enos N. 
Rexford, Benj. Phillips, Thomas J, Landers, William Capron, John 
Lown, G. W. Abbott, Samuel E. Weed. Failing Harder, William 
Mahar, Job N. Congdon, Thomas Totten, Jacob Shear, Luther Saw- 
tell, C. H. Tupper, B. Ingraham, Charles De Witt." 
The cititizens' petition was as follows: 

"The undersigned, citizens of Binghamton, second the petition here- 
with presented by the individuals forming the Phoenix Fire Company, 
and would urge to the president and trustees of said village, that said com- 
pany have surmounted many difficulties, and have, with an inferior and 
imperfect machine, as yet sustained their character, as firemen; and 
regarding the remarkable prevalency oi fires in this village for the two 
or" three preceding years, we cannot dispense with the services of so 
well a disciplined company." 
Petition No. i: 

"Vincent Whitney, Samuel Smith, Masoa Whiting, jr., John B. 
Ogden, James Squires, jr., J. N. Root, James Squires, B. T. Cooke, 
Thomas Johnson, Thomas G. Waterman, E. F. Matthews, L S. Mat- 
thews Myron Merrill, Elijah Sturtevant, jr., Levi B. Sturtevant, Jas. 
Brooks H. M. Baldwin, J. S. Hawley, Chauncey Morgan, Rial Arm- 
strong ' Gabriel Armstrong, P. B. Brooks, P. Mills, Frederick Stone, 



186 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

John Harder, Vincent St. John, Franklin Morse, Lewis St. John, 
James TerwilHger, Benjamin Morse, R. C. Chase, Wm. C. Johnson, 
William Bennett, Jos. Corby, Robert Woodruff, Franklin Whitney, 
Amos Patterson, Eli W. Watrous, Hazard Lewis." 
Petition No. 2: 

"Isaac L. Bartlett, Robert Bartlett, Oliver C. Bradford, Edward C. 
Coffin, L W. Ov^erhiser, Matthias Chitterling-, Joel Butler, Jacob B. 
Hyzer, John Dolph, James Price, Hiram Birdsall, C. J. Orton, John R. 
Dickinson, Barzilla Marvin. Wm. Gilmore, Wm. H. Waterman, Thomas 
Evans, S. D. Hand, Henry Hull, Thomas Ryder, D. Lanterman, Alfred J. 
Evans, R S. Eaton, AmosG. Hull, Robert Eldredge, Wm. D. Jones, Chas. 
Rogers, Daniel Fuller, William M. Ely, James A. Weed, Elias Hawley, 
Rodney A. Ford, G. Munsell, Edwin Eldridge, H. Collins, A. Camp- 
bell, B. G. Watkins, Ezra M. Mclntyre, John G. Stearns, Henry Chis- 
mon, Joseph Chambers, Peter Miller, Giles Orcutt, Jesse Orcutt, J. E. 
Titus, Tracy R. Morgan, A. Doubleday, jr., G. E. Isbell, E. H. Prince, 
Levi Dimmick, Solomon Orcult, Orson Cone, David L Parks, Stephen 
Weed, Hiram Whiting, Aaron Williams, J. I. Lawyer, B. J. Kipp, E. 
Butler, J. H. Smith, Edwin T. Evans, L. M. Rexford, Giles W. Hotch- 
kiss, Solon Stocking, Richard Mather, Jeremiah Campbell, W. H. 
Denison, W. B. Booth, Joel Fuller, Ira Corby, S. R. Leach, J. E. 
Clark, Mason Whiting, Zenas Pratt, David T. Ronk, Christopher 
Eldredge, Joel Butler, Thomas Allen." 
Petition No. j: 

"Matthew Hogan, H. W. Shipman, H. H. Bevier, Chas. N. Abbott. 
Allen Austin, Wm. M. De Long, G. Nash, T. F. Fairchild, Thomas De 
Witt, John Garow, Guy White, Reuben Starkweather, Daniel Landers, 
Horace White, Joseph B. Bennett, John Congdon, Benj. Green, Edward 
C. Kattel, H. Johnson, Z. Wilber, John Capron, M. H. Weed, Milton Ed- 
wards, S. A. Newton, Joseph A. Wooster, William L. Carpenter, Mar- 
cus Stow, Samuel Calvin, A. L. Heard, W. Clark, Hiram Crissy, Joseph 
Rutherford, Andrew Morehouse, Noah Badgley, Martin F. Root, Thom- 
as Prendergast, Asahel Fairchild, Gould Stratton, J. Denslow, J. B. Ab- 
bott, James Eldredge, Wm. B. Doubleday, Thomas O'Hara, Elmer W. 
Brigham, David W. Guy, S. Simpson, Otis M. Capron, Smith Park." 
Petition No. ^ : 

"Waring S. Weed, J. C. Hubbard, William L. Ford, Cornelius De 
Witt, William P. Pope, C. P. Tucker, Henry Mather, Paul Turner, jr., 
James M. Matthewson, Eli Bowker, Israel Adams, John Bowker, Na- 
than Starkweather, Joseph Durkee, James Worthing, Daniel Shear, 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 187 

Amos D. Stockwell, Hiram Deming, Joel Sawyer, T. L. Sleeper, Wm. 
S, Benedict, Jewett Johnson, Anthony Holmes, Samuel Brigham.'ches- 
ter Rood, James Remmele, William Slosson, E. D. Robinson, J. Tripp, 
A. C. Canoll, L. R. Cook, John E. Sampson, A. Woolsey, C.'p. Cooke,' 
Albert B. Root, George Park, Wm. Seymour, Samuel Weed, H.Tuckeri 
Nelson Bowker, L. N. Safford, Jonathan Ogden, Harley Stilson, Arch- 
ibald Campbell, William Hanlon." 
Petition No. 5 .■ 

"John G. Ervine, F. S. Van Bergen, John A. Bogart, Thomas S. 
Washburn, Edwin Congdon, Ezra Congdon, John Hill, Wm.W. Jones, 
Charles Sprout, D. C. McAllaster, Gilson Keyes, Allen Perkins, Philip 
Tripp, E. C. Bennett, M. F. Tupper, Henry Miller, Nicholas Carman, 
jr., Lyman S. Wright, Thomas H. Parker, John Bartholmew, James 
Angell, Azariah C. Angell, Abel W. Jackson, J. R. Harris, William 
Bigler, Calvin Capron, R. C. Negus, John P. Totten." 

The petitions above mentioned of course secured the desired end, 
although the purchase of the engine was delayed for some time. When 
it at length arrived it was found more than equal in capacity to the 
combined fire-destroying power of both old engines, hence with the 
new acquisition Phoenix No. 1 became the pride of the department and 
the admiration of the entire village. Indeed, No. 1 was always a pop- 
ular company; the length and strength of the petition fully proved the 
fact. The company afterward enjoyed a long and successful career, 
and when it finally passed out of existence as an organization of the 
village fire department few indeed .of the old names were found on 
the roll of active members. The construction of the city water works 
worked the dissolution of No. 1, and whatever then remained of the 
company formed the nucleus of Mechanic's Hose company of the pres- 
ent day. In truth it may be said that the successor company may well 
be proud of its honorable ancestry. 

Cataract Fire Company No. 2 was approved by the trustees under the 
village ordinances, February 2->, 1840, although the company was in 
fact organized July 6, 1836, as was indicated by the date mark painted 
on the end of the box of the old "goose-neck" engine with which the 
members performed such excellent service. 

The original members of No. 2, as shown by the proceedings of the 
village trustees, were Henry M. Collier, J. D. Duygan, E. S. Hart, 
George P. Monell, Charles McKinney, J. E. Tilus, H. C. Nash, Jacob 
Morris, L. N. Safford, M. M. McDonald, Thomas Johnson, Joseph De 
Witt, William Bigler, Robert Eldredge, A. W. Martin, Samuel Brown, 



188 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

jr., James Jackson, John E. Sampson, Charles N. Abbott and John 
Lewis. 

Subsequent additions were made to the membership as follows: 
April 12, 1841, Orlando Baldwin, Alfred Meeker, Richard Oliver, Nel- 
son Twining, Henry Houghtailing, Marshall Curtis, John Bartholmew 
and Daniel Hall; June 25, 1841, Joel Simpson, William S. Benedict, 
Robert C. Whitmore, Charles G. Hart, William M. Ford, Nelson Bowker, 
Paul Turner, F. S. Van Bergen, Crary Congdon, Eri Park, James 
Madison and James K. Walker; January 17, 1843, Philip Tripp, James 
Eldredge, Jesse W. Clark, Edwin C. Coffin, Edwin Congdon, Azariah 
C. Angel], Charles J. Orton, R. C. Chase, E. C. Burnett, William E. 
Abbott, Morris Shehan, Wm. F. Caldwell, John Campbell, Jackson G. 
Brookins, Zephaniah Wilbur and William H. Abbott. 

In February, 1843, the trustees reorganized the fire department, at 
which time the personnel of Cataract No. 2 was as follows: A. W. 
Martin, J. M. Matthewson, Wm. L. Ford, W. S. Benedict, William E, 
Abbott, Chas. N. Abbott, Philip Tripp, James Eldredge Waring S. 
Weed, J. N. Twining, Edward C. Coffin, J. L. Campbell, J. W. Clark, 
Orlando Baldwin, Thomas Johnson, Ezra C. Bennett, Zeph. Wilbur, 
N. C. Congdon, D, S. Hall, Jeremiah Clark, Chas. J. Orton, Robt. C. 
Whitmore, Jackson G. Brookins, John Bartholmew, Wm. H. Abbott, 
A. C. Angell, F. S. Van Bergen, Edwin Congdon, James Dunn, Wm. 
T. Caldwell and Marshall Curtis. 

Cataract No. 2 was one of the worthy organizations of the village 
during the period of its existence. Its headquarters were in the engine 
house originally built on the gravel bed lot on the east side of Collier 
street (opposite the present municipal building), the same being re- 
moved in 1837 to the lot purchased of John D. Smith at the southeast 
corner of the court house square. In the same year the village pur- 
chased an engine and two-wheeled tender for the company, the engine 
being of the "goose-neck " type, and fairly serviceable for its time. 

Notwithstanding the auspicious conditions under which No. 2 came 
into existence, its later history was attended with many vicissitudes, 
and through some disturbing causes was practically dissolved. The 
organization was revived, however, under Chief Fred. A. Morgan, and 
was again placed upon a substantial basis; and for a time known, ac- 
cording to the memory of Abraham De Witt, as Never sink Engine Co. 
No. 2. This was in February, 1855, at which time a company under 
that name was approved by the village trustees. About the same time 
the county acquired title to the lands on which the engine house was 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 189 

built, and s^on afterward the structure was removed to the lawn south 
of Cyrus Strong's residence, where now stands Chas. A. Weed & Co.'s 
building. In the course of a few months the company went out of ex- 
istence and the engine house was removed to Oak street and rebuilt for 
dwelling purposes; and for a number of years the old name "Cataract 
Engine Co. No. 2" was plainly visible on one side of the building. 

Fountain Fire Company was organized and accepted under the ordi- 
nances of the board of trustees, October 15, 1842, agreeable to a peti- 
tion presented to that body by a number of active young men of the 
village who asked to be incorporated into a company to attend fires with 
buckets. The records show that on the date mentioned the trustees 
resolved that " the following named persons be appointed members of a 
bucket company in this village, viz.: Julius P. Morgan, J. B. Casterline, 
Hiram Wentz, F. V. L. Squires, Phineas B. Tompkins, O. C. Pooler, 
F. Burrell, G. S. Hovey, J. Farrel. D. Ross, John T. Whitmore, Thos. 
D. Downs, Thomas Woolsey, C. A. Shipman, A. C. Hovey, W.W. Pea- 
body, M. Denslow, Merritt Andrews, Solomon F, Gary, Alfred Merrill, 
J. H. Doubleday, W. J. Lytle and Darwin Stocking; whose duty it shall 
be to attend fires in the village; to be united to the fire department of 
the same; subject to the same laws, rules and regulations, and entitled 
to the same privileges as other fire companies, and are hereby styled 
Fountain Fire Co. No. ./. " 

The constitution of the company was adopted at the same time, and 
provided for the election of a foreman, assistant foreman, clerk and 
treasurer; prescribed the duties of officers, and authorized a member- 
ship of 32 persons, whose duty was to proceed immediately to the 
bucket house in case of alarm, and thence to the scene of fire. The 
officers were declared to be a judicial board. The members were re- 
quired to meet on the first Monday in each month, in uniform, for 
"discipline." A committee was provided, whose duty was to examine 
the buckets and see that the bucket house was kept clean. Fines were 
established for neglect of duty, and ranged from twelve and one-half to 
twenty-five cents. The first officers of the company were Julius P. 
Morgan, foreman; Jesse B. Casterline, assistant foreman; Hiram Wentz, 
clerk; F.V. L. Squires, treasurer. On June 17, 1843, the membership 
was increased by the addition of W. Barton, M. Mosier, G. Capron, L. 
Harvey, I. W. Weed, J. Corby, J. D. O. Mills, Joshua Hamblin, D. 
Prendergast, J. W. Hatch, Charles Meigs and E. Fanning. 

On April 19, 1843, under the revised ordinances, the company was 
received into the department, and the members who subscribed to the 



190 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

ordinances were duly approved by the trustees; and thus having been 
incorporated as a part of the village fire department, the company was 
given the name of "Fountain Fire Co. No. 4." On March 19, 1846, 
Lewis S. Abbott was appointed by the trustees to confer with the chief 
engineer in relation to placing " the hose in charge of Fountain Fire 
Co ," and was directed to report to the board at its next meeting. The 
report, however, does not appear on the records, but the early history 
of the company discloses that in September of that year the bucket 
system was siibstantially abandoned and the company took charge of 
the hose, and thenceforth became known and recognized as Fountain 
Hose Co. No. 4.. The name was more commonly rendered " Fountain 
Hose No. 4," and was continued without interruption until December 
13, 1882, when articles of incorporation were adopted under the name 
and style of '' Fount am Hose No. 4 Fire Company.'' By the acquisition 
of the chemical engine common custom informally changed the name 
to " Fountain Chemical Co.," but the old designations of " Fountain 
Fours," "Four Hose" and " Fountain Hose" have ever been used in 
distinguishing the oldest surviving organization of the village fire de- 
partment. 

An unbroken record of fifty-seven years of service in the Bingham- 
ton fire department is found in the history of the company, and during 
that time wonderful indeed have been the changes wrought. When 
first formed the company had neither quarters nor apparatus, but 
through the favor of Phoenix No. 1 the bucket boys (for nearly all of 
them were then boys) were permitted to occupy the engine companj^'s 
rooms on Franklin street. Later on they removed to rooms in Solon 
Stocking's building on the south side of Court street, between Water 
street and the bridge. However, on June 30, 1845, the trustees deter- 
mined to erect a building for the use of the hook and ladder and bucket 
companies on the Court House square, and accordingly, on August 26, 
Joseph B. Abbott, James Munsell and Nathan Tucker, representing 
the village, made a contract with Solomon Aldrich to perform the work 
at the agreed price of $235. In the fall of that year Protection Hook 
and Ladder Co. and Fountain Bucket Co. occupied their first regular 
quarters. The former soon passed out of existence, after which Foun- 
tains occupied the building until it was removed from the square. The 
next permanent quarters were in Firemen's hall, the company being 
assigned the north room in that building, with parlors on the second 
floor. These apartments were for a time shared with old Phoenix No. 
1, thus repaying a debt of gratitude incurred in former years. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 191 

While quartered in Firemen's hall much of the most interesting his- 
tory of the company was made, and during that time it acquired the 
reputation which placed it at the head of the city fire department. In 
later years the company lost none of its old-time popularity, and while 
remarkable changes have been witnessed during the period, the stand- 
ard of efficiency has been constantly advanced. Fountain's members 
never imitated the example of another company, nor did they in any 
sense set themselves up as the rivals of another, but, on the contrary, 
have ever been the originators of advanced departmental reforms. 

During its nearly three score years of continuous existence, Fountain 
Hose evolved from a bucket brigade to a chemical engine company, 
with apparatus of the most modern and approved type. The first ma- 
chine was a little long wagon with poles and hooks along either side, 
and on the latter the leather buckets were hung. It was a crude affair 
but sufficient for its time and in full keeping with the other apparatus 
of the department. The first hose carriage, or cart, was built by "Joe" 
Pine, and was then considered a remarkable production, being " double 
geared," and handsomely painted and ornamented by the artistic hands 
of James Halsted. The beauty of the carriage, coupled with the popu- 
larity of the company, gave the latter a certain enviable reputation 
throughout the state, and so swelled the ranks with members that the 
organization of another company from Fountain Hose became desirable. 
Accordingly, in 1856, a number of members withdrew and for-ned 
Excelsior Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1. Two years later Fountain's 
membership was again reduced in the same manner to form the effi- 
cient organization known as Lawyer Hose Co. No, 1, now known as 
Crystal Hose, for many years one of the most active and enterprising 
companies of the city fire department. Thus it happened that two of 
the best companies in the department, both of which have had a con- 
tinuous growth for a period of more than forty years, were direct out- 
growth of old Fountain Hose Co. No. 4. 

In 1863 Henry Per Lee designed the splendid parade carriage which 
gave Fountain Hose far more than a statewide acquaintance and popu- 
larity among volunteer fire organizations. The carriage was a marvel 
of beauty and workmanship, and won praises from the people and press of 
New York and Philadelphia, as well as all the interior cities and large 
villages of the regions of New York and Pennsylvania which were 
visited by the company on festive occasions. Fountain's grand gift 
entertainment was held in Firemen's hall in 1871, and netted the com- 
pany a profit of $2,000. In September following was made the famous 



192 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

excursion to Albany, Newburg and New York, and in September, 1876, 
occurred the crowning triumph in the company's popularity in the trip 
to Philadelphia, in company with Linta Hose, of Towanda, Penna., 
on the occasion of the Centennial Exposition. 

In October, 1882, the silver parade carriage was sold to Emerald 
Hose of Cortland. On December 11 of the same year articles of asso- 
ciation were adopted. Under this proceeding the company was incorpo- 
rated under the name of "Fountain Hose No. 4 Fire Company," thus 
preserving as nearly as possible the old designation by the village 
trustees in 184:6 The object of the incorporation was the purchase of 
real estate and the erection of a building for fire department business. 
The capital stock was $20,000, in shares of $50 each. The corporators 
were James H. Bartlett, Alexander S. Patten, James H. Arnot, Henry 
T. Alden, Charles H. Presby, Michael Hanrahan, Fred. W. Welch, 
James W. Lyon, William H. Watson, Marillo L. Hollister and Theo- 
dore P. Calkin. The trustees for the first year were Messrs. Bartlett, Pat- 
fen, Hanrahan, Lyon, Arnot, Alden and Calkin. The three-story brick 
building (with the lot on which it stands), No. 163 Water street, was 
purchased in 1883, and was ready for occupancy in August, 1884. 

The first horse hose carriage was purchased in 1884. This of course 
was an innovation in the city fire department, but was a successful ven- 
ture, and the example was afterward followed by the other companies, 
except Alert No. 2, with whom the idea originated. The result was 
an increased fire protection for the entire city. However, in 1889 an- 
other advance step was taken when a committee of the company visited 
several large cities with a view to purchasing a modern chemical engine. 
The committee comprised Alexander S. Patten, James W. Lyon, Henry 
A. Slosson and Charles E. Abbott, and as a result of their investiga- 
tions the company purchased of vS. F. Haywood & Co , of New York, a 
"Champion " chemical engine, paying therefor $2,000. The new ap- 
paratus was given its first trial May 30, 1889. 

Thus has Fountain Fire company progressed step by step from the 
primitive bucket brigade of more than half a century ago to the present 
ownership of the most approved device for extinguishing fires. In 1842 
Foreman Morgan's bucket boys proved themselves worthy of recogni- 
tion by the village trustees in the faithful performance of duty at fires, 
and in the same manner in subsequent years the succeeding members' 
of the company have given even better service to the growing city. 
Throughout the period of its history the rolls of the company show a 
total membership of more than 600 persons, from among whom have 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 193 

been chosen to places of responsibility in political affairs in the city, 
county and state, some of the best and most worthy incumbents of pub- 
lic office. 

Protection Hook and Ladder Company is first mentioned in the pro- 
ceedings of the village trustees in June, 1842, although the organization 
is believed to have been formed previous to that time. Thomas H. 
Parker was its foreman, organizer and guiding spirit, and developed a 
degree of efficiency that gave his company a special prominence in the 
early fire department. Moreover, the members of the company were 
among the most active young men of the village at the time. The 
apparatus comprised the hooks, ladders, axes and other equipment 
mentioned on a preceding page, and were kept in the ladder house 
which has also been described. But it appears that the fire-fighting 
implements under the company's control were so frequently taken from 
the ladder house by citizens that the efficiency of the organization was 
seriously impaired. Hence the company had only a brief existence. 

Under the constitution adopted in January, 1843, the officers and 
members of Protection H. & L. Co. were Thomas H. Parker, foreman; 
Dr. S. D. Hand, 1st assistant; Benjamin N. Loomis, 2d assistant; Will- 
iam P. Pope, treasurer; William H. Butcher, clerk, and members, 
Amos G. Hull, Daniel L. Brainard, John B. Ogden, Henry W. Shipman, 
Samuel Weed, Moses Dutcher, James Angell, David Parker, Francis M. 
Pratt, B. G. Watkins, Franklin Morse, J. R. Waterhouse, Silas A. New- 
ton, Charles McKinney, Martin F. Root and L. N. Safiford. In Feb- 
ruary following there was added to the roll the names of Theron Bur- 
nett, William Cooper, Thomas Prendergast, O. C. Pooler, Noah Badg- 
ley, E. H. Benjamin, H. Hotchkiss and Charles Abrams. 

In March, of the year mentioned, the chief engineer was directed to 
procure a hook and ladder wagon, at a cost not to exceed $75, and also 
a supply of rope for the use of Protection company. This was done, 
but, like the other apparatus, the truck was subject to the depredations 
of the villagers, and when a fire occurred only one set of wheels and an 
axle could be found in the ladder house. At the longest, the company's 
existence was not more than six or seven years. 

Rescue Engine Company No.j was organized in 1850, and was chiefly 
composed of residents west of the Chenango river. At first Rescue 
was undoubtedly an independent company and did not report its mem- 
bership to the trustees as was the custom of the period if village assist- 
ance was desired. By reason of this condition the original roll of mem- 

13 



194 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

bers has not been preserved. The first mention of the company in the 
records appears m the proceedings of August 7, 1854, when, having 
complied with the ordinances, the trustees approved of the election of 
John S. Wells, foreman; B W. Morse, first assistant; J. K. Hamblin, 
second assistant; R. C. Whitney, secretary; Stephen Houck, treasurer; 
and Charles Gale, pipeman. 

When first organized the company was allowed the use of the old 
goose-neck engine, previously in charge of No. 1, but at that time the 
engine was practically worn out and of little service to No. 3, who 
were the chosen guardians of property on the ' 'Canada" side of the river ; 
but notwithstanding the possible inferiority of their apparatus the com- 
pany v/as well organized and officered, and included in its membership 
many substantial young men of the First ward. The members leased 
a building on the east side of Front street, a few rods south of Alain 
street, which was arranged for temporary occupancy, but after the 
company had been reorganized the village purchased of Benjamin F. 
Sisson a lot adjoining his residence on the north. Negotiations to this 
end had been pending for a few months but the serious illness of Mr. 
Sisson about that time was the occasion of some delay. The engine 
house was built in 1863, but on May 11, 1866, the taxpayers voted 
$1,000 for a new building. Some time elapsed, however, before the en- 
gine house was finally completed. The site is now occupied by the 
comfortable quarters of Alert Hose No. 2, the latter being the almost 
direct outgrowth of and successor to Rescue No. 3. 

On April 10, 1855, at a special election the taxpayers voted to appro- 
priate $1,000 to purchase new apparatus for No. 3, and soon afterward 
a Button engine of good capacity was secured. Thus equipped, the 
company took a prominent place in the fire department, but in 1859, 
owing to some unfortunate misunderstanding, the men refused to 
obey an order of Chief De Witt while on duty at a fire, upon which that 
vigilant officer locked the engine house doors and relieved the company 
from further service to the village. On May 10 a reorganization was 
effected under the sanction of the trustees and at the request of many 
citizens of the First ward. The new officers were John S. Wells, fore- 
man; Lewis S. Abbott, first assistant; Charles Gale, second assistant; 
H. S. Hitchcock, secretary and treasurer. Including officers, the com- 
pany numbered forty members. 

After the reorganization No. 3 gave the village excellent service 
until the completion of the water works, when its usefulness was practi- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 195 

cally destroyed by the superior capacity of the city pumping machinery. 
Soon afterward the company was dissolved, and was succeeded by Ford 
Hose Co., the latter having come into existence in 18G8. On August 1, 
1869, the company was reorganized under the name of 

Alert Hose Co. No. 2. — This company for a period of thirty years has 
been one of the active and progressive elements of the city fire depart- 
ment, and through the watchfulness and energy of its members has 
secured its full share of "first waters." The first hose cart was built by 
M. McMahon, and was considered one of the best in the city at that 
time. In 1882 the company was the first to introduce a horse hose cart, 
and two years later appeared with two splendid grey horses, the fleetest 
team in the department for several years. To add still further to its 
fairly earned laurels, the company in 1886 purchased a combined hose 
cart and chemical engine, and thus took first rank in department circles. 
The chemical apparatus was afterward removed from the cart (an un- 
doubted mistake on the part of the city) and since that time Alerts have 
done effective service as a hose company alone. A grand gift enter- 
tainment in 1885 netted the company $1,800, which was largely used in 
fitting up and furnishing the company quarters. The present members 
number about eighty men, and the company is regarded as one of the 
mainstays of the city fire department. During the period of its history 
Alert Hose No. 2 has furnished the department a full quota of its most 
capable oflficers. 

Independent Engine Co. No. 5, was organized March 3, 1853, and, as 
indicated by the name, was independent of the control and authority of 
the village trustees. At the time there was need of just such a com- 
pany in Binghamton, and the constituent members of No. 5 possessed 
the requisite spirit to effect an organization and purchase apparatus 
without aid from the corporate exchequer. The first engine, which 
was purchased by Abraham De Witt, was paid for almost wholly by 
the members, the fund therefor being increased by generous citizens 
of the village. On February 3, 1855, the company was recognized by 
the trustees, and on May 12 following was placed under control of the 
chief engineer. At the same time the board appropriated $200 for the 
company's expenses for the current year. 

The original members of the company were Abraham De Witt, Will- 
iam H. Stilwell, H. B. Clark, Ansel K. Martin, Matthew Allen, John 
Bally, C. W. Tracy, H. F. Sterling, R. D. Curtis, J. N. Martin, M. L. 
Murphy, N. B. Ellis, B. A. De Witt, J. L. Buck, Washington S. Hard- 



196 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

ing, H. P. Bates, J. F. Gary, T. G. Negus, E. R. Jones, James Van Gor- 
den, G. Bissell, William Quaif, Samuel S. Mantz, T. Holbert, George 
Jacoby, Oliver W. Loomis, John Rennie, Thomas Welch, Martin Ger- 
man, J. C. Purple, C. A. Vliet, J. L. Purple, H. P. Gilbert, Hiram San- 
ders, F. Weyant, E. D. Tracy, William De Witt, Seymour S. Horton, 
C. St. John, Robert Bartholomew, John S. Hinds, R. Chase, C. S. Bur- 
rows, W. W. Harvey, Benj. De Voe, Jacob C. Robie, B. S. Campbell, 
Charles Coles, James L. Finch, Thomas Eastwood, M. H. Ganun, S. J. 
Hall, Arnold Newcomb, Edward Taylor, D. Sullivan, Wm. P. Minor, 
Isaac W. Sleight, O. S. Tracy, C. H. Williams. 

The first officers were Abraham De Witt, foreman; William H. Stil- 
well, 1st assistant; H. B. Clark, 2d assistant; Ansel K. Martin, 1st 
pipeman; Matthew Allen, 2d pipeman; John Bally, secretary; C. W, 
Tracy, financial secretary; H. F. Sterling, treasurer; R. D. Curtis, 
steward. 

About 1860, after two unsuccessful attempts by private corporative 
companies to establish a water works system in the village, and after a 
like futile endeavor by the village trustees, the business men and mem- 
bers of the fire department presented the question of procuring a steam 
fire engine. Such apparatus was then regarded a public necessity, but 
the trustees were slow to act. The proposition was finally presented at 
a meeting of the board held May 16, 1862, but was voted down. On 
June 13 following the measure was revived and all the trustees voted 
for an appropriation of $1,000 for the purpose mentioned. But before 
the board had taken further action in the matter, in the summer of 
1862, Independent Engine Co. No. 5 purchased a steamer, and on Au- 
gust 7 of that year the trustees voted $1,600 toward reimbursing the 
company's expenditure. 

In the meantime, on April 3, 1858, the legislature passed " an act to 
incorporate Independent Engine Co. No. 5, of Binghamton, N. Y.," by 
which Job N. Congdon, William H. Stilwell, Evan R. Jones, Benjamin 
De Voe, Tracy R. Morgan, Abraham De Witt, Henry B. Clark, Sey- 
mour S. Horton, Henry W. Horton, William H. Close, C. G. Williams 
and their associates were declared to be a body corporate, capable of 
holding property to the amount of $10,000; were authorized to make 
and establish b5^-laws, rules and regulations; to appoint not to exceed 
75 firemen as members of the company, and to have the care and man- 
agement of a fire engine. 

Independent No. 5 was the first company in the department to secure 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 197 

an act of incorporation, and was also the first to purchase a steamer for 
the greater protection of property against loss by fire. The active his- 
tory of the company covered a period of less than 20 years, yet during 
that time it developed a degree of efficiency equal to that of any similar 
organization in the state. Its first hand engine was purchased by Abra- 
ham DeWitt and was of good capacity, but was soon exchanged for 
another of more improved type. Still later, in 1863, came the first 
steamer, which was eventually sold about the time the water works was 
established, after which the company for a time manned the new steam- 
er "City of Binghamton." The latter, however, was too heavy to be 
drawn about the unpaved streets with the force of men usually found 
on the "drag," and the subsequent provision of the council for the use 
of a team for that purpose so seriously impaired the service of the com- 
pany that disbandment was a natural result. However, the social com- 
pany organization was maintained until about 1880. During the entire 
period of its history the active and honorary rolls of the company 
showed a total membership of 467, of which number nearly one-half are 
now dead. 

American Engine Co. No. 6 was organized by the trustees April 14, 
1855, in response to a petition signed by many residents of the Third 
and Fourth wards. The organization was duly perfected but the com- 
pany never had any apparatus and -frequently failed to report for duty 
at fires. For this cause it was disbanded January 28, 1859. 

Excelsior Hook & Ladder Co. No. i was organized chiefly from mem- 
bers of Fountain Hose Co. No. 4, and in answer to a demand for an 
efficient hook and ladder company in the village. To this end on Janu- 
ary 26, 1856, an application was presented to the trustees by more than 
twenty young men who sought to be incorporated under the village 
ordinances and received into the department under the name first men- 
tioned. The petition was signed by N. A. Newton, Erastus R. Camp- 
bell, H. E. Norton, L. H. Clussman, Henry Per Lee, James B. Bodle, 
R. B. Whitney, Len. Clearwater, Hiram Sanders, Charles D. Rogers, H. 
W. Miner, Harris G. Rodgers, C. Rodgers, Daniel Wheeler, Sherman 
Harris, Henry C. Jackson, H. Clay Preston, Charles W. Sears, Hiram 
C. Rodgers, Albert Phyfe, George' H. Cooke, D. J. H. Chubbuck and 
Chauncey B. Waterman. 

The proposition to form a truck company in the village was received 
with general favor and the request of the applicants was immediately 
granted. On March 6, 1856, at a special election held for the purpose, 



198 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

an appropriation was voted for the purchase of apparatus and supplies 
for the new company, after which a duly appointed committee secured 
a good, light, serviceable "Sickles" truck, with all the necessary lad- 
ders, hooks, axes and buckets usual to the complete equipment of a 
modern hook and ladder company. 

Thus was brought into existence one of the most eflficient and relia- 
ble companies of the village fire department, and one which has had a 
continuous and progressive history to the present time. ExceLsior 
Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1, more frequently referred to as the "Truck," 
has always been noted for the substantial character of its membership 
and also for the general conservatism of its policy. It never made an 
application to the trustees or the council without more than a reason- 
able cause, while much of the unimportant equipment was provided at 
the company's expense. But notwithstanding its controlling policy, the 
company was never justly charged with lack of enterprise or progress- 
ive spirit, for it has ever been fully up to the standard of the depart- 
ment; and its present condition indicates that all measures of improve- 
ment have received proper consideration. 

The original truck which the company used so many years was pur- 
chased at an expense of $475 and in 1856 was regarded as a wonderful 
apparatus, especially when compared with the crude equipment of old 
Protection Hook & Ladder Co. of still earlier years. The improved 
truck was designed for hand use, and a dozen boys on the drag would 
frequently make lively work for the man on the tiller. Occasionally on 
annual parade the apparatus was drawn by a team, thus lending 
greater dignity to the event. After the village became a city team use 
was regularly employed and the previously much sought office of " til- 
lerman " became hazardous in attempting to keep pace with the 
running horses. However, the old truck was a valuable apparatus and 
is still retained in the department for use in emergency. The present 
apparatus is a Hayes truck of the improved order, and was purchased 
in 1891 at a cost ot $3,250. Three horses are used in handling it. In 
1890 the fire commissioners purchased a lot of land on the west side of 
Water street, on which in the following year the council caused the 
erection of a comfortable brick building for the use of the company. 

On March 11, 1881, Excelsior Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1 was regu- 
larly incorporated, and thereby acquired the right to purchase and hold 
real estate and other property. 

Lawyer Hose Co. No. i. This company was organized during the 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 199 

summer of 1858, and was comprised of former members of Fountain 
Hose with a less number of interested young men of the village who 
realized the necessity of a new hose company in the department. The 
preliminaries being settled, application was made to the trustees for 
admission to the department. On August 17 the matter was considered 
by the board and the request was granted. At that time the officers 
and members of the company were as follows: William S. Lawyer, 
foreman; E. De Silva, assistant foreman; Laurel L. Olmsted, secre- 
tary; J. H. Kellogg, treasurer; Milton S. Lewis, J. Sherman Ogden 
and Charles Pierce, trustees, and Benjamin DeVoe, Wm. H. Nash, 
George L. Lawyer, D. D. Gregory, Asa D. Gates, Judson M. Spauld- 
ing and L. B. Freeman. 

As the name indicates, Lawyer Hose was so called in allusion to 
William S. Lawyer, one of the organizers and the first foremen of the 
company, and who had previously held the office of foreman of Foun- 
tain No. 4. 

After being equipped with a good duty cart. Lawyer Hose entered 
upon a career of usefulness which soon gained for it an enviable stand- 
ing in the department. Its numerical strength was perhaps not so 
great as some other companies, yet in general efficiency and prompt 
attention to duty it was the equal of any. Indeed, it was said that the 
organization of No. 1 had a stimulating effect upon the entire depart- 
ment, and elevated the standard of the latter to a degree of efficiency 
not previously known. 

From the time of organization to the latter part of 1865 the history 
of Lawyer Hose was a record of continued success, but in the year 
mentioned, on account of disturbing elements in the company, a re- 
organization was necessary. The causes of discontent having been 
removed, the old-time service was restored and continued throughout 
the remaining years of the company's existence under its original name ; 
and the record thus established was one of the chief inheritances of its 
immediate successor. 

Crystal Hose Co. No. i was a continuation of Lawyer Hose, the name 
having been changed July 14, 1869. The membership then, as pre- 
viously, comprised many active young men of the city, and in later 
years the organization enlarged upon the foundation so substantially 
laid by its predecessor. Crystal Hose is n^w thirty years old, and 
throughout that period it has ranked among the best fire companies in 
the department. Its first apparatus was a skeleton duty cart, while on 



200 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

public occasions the men appeared in neat regulation uniforms, draw- 
ing an attractive "Crab " parade carriage; but not being fully content 
with the latter, about 1870 the company purchased a handsome Crystal 
carriage at a cost of $2,500. It was elaborately rebuilt in 1870, at 
an additional cost of $2,500, and when completed was regarded as one 
of the most beautiful devices of its kind in the country. About 1888, 
after the fire department had passed the exhibition period and become 
a strictly business organization, the carriage was sold to Werner Hose 
Co., of Kingston, N. Y. 

Crystals first appeared with a horse on the duty cart about 1885, but 
about five years later a second horse was added, thus keeping even 
pace with the growth of the city, the department, and the company's 
constant aim to furnish the best possible service in a purely volunteer 
organization. In 1892 the police commissioners engaged the services 
of Crystal Hose as a patrol wagon, in payment for which $600 is annually 
added to the company treasury. 

A glance at the membership rolls of Lawyer and Crystal Hose Cos. 
discloses the names of some of the foremost business and professional 
men of Binghamton. The aim and ambition of both organizations was 
accomplished, and the village and subsequent city hav^e profited there- 
by. The department, too, has secured some of its best officials from 
the ranks of Lawyer and Crystal Hose Cos. 

Otseningo Hose Co. No. j was organized by the trustees August 19, 
1858, in answer to a petition for a hose company to be attached to Res- 
cue Engine Co., and to be stationed west of the Chenango river. The 
company, however, had only a brief existence. Among its earliest 
members were Almond Taylor, A. H. Allard, G. W. Stone, Levi R. 
Johnson, John Van Wagoner, Schuyler Holland, Robert C. Whitney 
and John Herrick. 

From 1858 to the establishment of the water system no attempt was 
made to organize anothsr fire company in the village. During this 
period the department was sufficient for the business interests and pop- 
ulation and was in all respects a well equipped and efficient body. In 
1862 Chief Fred. A. Morgan made an exhaustive report to the board of 
of trustees, and was so thorough in his review that the communication 
was deemed worthy of publication in pamphlet form. From the report 
we make liberal extracts that the reader may know something of the 
character and quality of the fire department at that time. 

"The department consists of a chief, two assistant engineers, two 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 201 

first-class hose carriages, two first-class jumpers and one first-class hook 
and ladder truck, all in good order, except Engine No. 1." 
" There is now in the basement of Firemen's hall two old engines and 
two old jumpers, which are perfectly useless to this corporation, and I 
would recommend that your honorable body take No. 1 engine, which 
is greatly out of repair, together with the old engines and jumpers, and 
negotiate with some engine builder for a new engine for No. I's com- 
pany, as the men are greatly discouraged and it is with the greatest 
difificulty that they can be kept together." 

" Your honorable body should bear in mind that the corporation owns 
but one effective engine — No. 3. No. 5 is owned by the company, and 
is hired from year to year, and they could at any time take the engine 
out of service, which would leave us in rather bad condition as regards 
engines. Lawyer Hose owns its own carriage and jumper, and receives 
for services $50 per annum besides running expenses. Fountain Hose 
Co, owns its own jumper, but the corporation owns the carriage, and I 
would recommend that the company receive the same compensation as 
other companies as it does all its duty with the jumper." 

"The expenses for the year are as follows: Phoenix Engine Co., 
$10.39; Excelsior H. & L. Co., $13.59; W. S. Lawyer Hose Co. No. 1, 
$56.90; Rescue Engine Co. No. 3, $51.28; Fountain Hose Co. No. 4, 
$9.84; Independent Engine Co. No. 5, services, $200; total, $342. 
General bill for hose repairs, $26.50. Total expense, $368.50." 

The report continues: " We have now three cisterns, located as fol- 
lows: One in the First ward, corner of Oak and North streets; two in 
the Fourth ward, one at the corner of Coart and Carroll, and the other 
at the corner of Pine and Fayette streets. All are in good order. There 
has been built in the past year two run-ways to the river, one in the 
First ward near the residence of D. D. Denton (now Fred. M. Weed's), 
and the other in the Fifth ward, near Hawley street, which, with the 
cisterns, are of great convenience to the department." 

The chief, in describing the several companies of the department, 
comments as follows: 

Excelsior Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1, located in Firemen's hall, truck 
and apparatus in good order; house in good condition; number of men, 
45; officers, H. G. Rodgers, foreman, D. L. Brownson, assistant, T. T. 
Mersereau, secretary, H. W. Miner, treasurer. 

Phoenix Engine Co. No. 1, located in Firemen's hall; engine greatly 
out of repair; house in good condition; number of men, 62; officers, 



202 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

R. H. McCune, foreman, S. A. Smith, 1st assistant, F. Holmes, 2d 
assistant. 

W. S. Lawyer Hose Co. No. 1, located in Firemen's hall; carriage 
and jumper in good order; house in good condition; number of men, 
57; carry 1,000 feet of hose; officers, George L. Lawyer, foreman, 
George C. Hemingway, assistant, George R. Munsell, secretary, Benj. 
De Voe, treasurer. 

Rescue Engine Co. No. 3, located No. 72 Front street; engine in 
good order; house in very bad condition; should be rebuilt; number 
of men, 52; officers, Robert Barnes, foreman, Chas. Dilly, 1st assistant, 
Henry Youngs, 2d assistant, A. W. Carl, secretary, W. J. Rennie, 
treasurer. 

Fountain Hose Co. No. 4, located in Firemen's hall; carriage and 
jumper in good order; house in good condition; number of men, 53; 
carry 1,000 feet of hose; officers, James H. Bartlett, foreman, Chas. 
Gale, assistant, Chas. H. Smith, secretary, H. De Hart, treasurer. 

Independent Engine Co. No. 5, located in Firemen's hall ; house in 
good order; engine and apparatus in good condition; number of men, 
74; officers. Job N. Congdon, foreman, S. S. Horton, 1st assistant,. W. 
H. Close, 2d assistant, H . C. Perkins, recording secretary, J. R. Water- 
house, financial secretary, T. R. Morgan, treasurer. 

The incorporation of the city in 1867, and the introduction of a pump- 
ing system of water works in the same year, led to a complete revolu- 
tion of the fire department. The old brake hand engines of former 
years at once lost their usefulYiess, and even the utility of the steamer 
was for the time impaired. With the reorganization which followed 
soon after the events noted the old apparatus was consigned to store 
rooms and other obscure places, but a part of it was eventually sold to 
junk dealers and others. The old engines, which were used succes- 
sively by Water Witch, Phoenix No. 1 and Rescue No. 3, with the 
equally primitive goose neck which brought fame to Cataract No. 2, 
were disposed of in the manner indicated, while the more modern ma- 
chines of the village department gave later service to companies in 
other places. Our present city department has few remaining relics of 
its earliest period. If it were possible that the coffee mill or the goose 
necks could again appear on our public streets the most interested 
spectators in the crowds around them would be men now past the 
three-score period of life. To them the scene would have a rejuvenat- 
ing effect in suggesting days long gone by, when they once ran with 
the machine. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 203 

The real surviving companies of the reorganization of 1867-68 were 
Fountain and Lawyer Hose and Excelsior H. & L. companies, neither 
of which lost its identity in the changes then effected. Mechanic's 
Hose was the outgrowth of old Phoenix No. 1. Alert Hose was the 
successor of Rescue No. 3, but the duty performed by each was of a 
character unlike that of their predecessors. The later hose companies, 
Independent No. 5, Rockbottom No. 6, and Protection No. 7 were orig- 
inal formations and were designed to furnish more complete protec- 
tion to property in outlying districts. 

At a little later period the steamer "City of Binghamton " again 
came into use, and as the city itself increased in size and business im- 
portance still another steam engine became a necessity. Then, about 
1885, the city purchased the ' ' Bennett, " a good steamer of the La France 
type. In January, 1899, the efficiency of the department was still fur- 
ther increased by the purchase of another and more powerful La France 
steamer. 

Our prosperous city makes a fair provision for the maintenance of its 
fire department, but the spirit of liberality came only after long years 
of waiting on the part of the companies ; and it was difficult to impress 
upon the official mind the real need of a well compensated department, 
or that the purely volunteer services of the firemen were of any money 
value. The village trustees made occasional small contributions to the 
engine companies in return for their services, yet the first board of 
aldermen could hardly understand why Fountain and Lawyer Hose 
Cos. should make a request for expense money, or that either had made 
more than a nominal outlay in its own behalf. This matter was before 
the council in 1868, upon the petition of the companies referred to. On 
the part of Fountains, it was shown that the expenditures from 1862 to 
1867 on account of hose carriage and other equipment was $4,308.37, 
and that during the time the village had paid the company only $250. 
The expenses of Lawyer Hose from 1865 to 1867 were $1,723.65, while 
the amount received from the trustees was $100. 

The petitions mentioned were well supported by substantial argu- 
ments and so impressed the council that a special election was ordered 
held on May 25, 1868, to determine whether $5,000 should be raised by 
special tax for fire department purposes. The proposition was carried 
by a good majority, and soon afterward the council voted to pay Foun- 
tain and Lawyer Hose Cos. $200 per annum for their services. The 
same compensation was also paid to other companies as they were 



204 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT. 

formed, but this was the beginning of the compensation system in the 
department. About the same time the council was authorized to raise 
in the city budget the sum of $1,000 for department purposes. The 
amount comfortably maintained the companies at the time, but as the 
city has subsequently increased in area, and population, so, too, have the 
appropriations been enlarged to a present authorized total of $30,000 
for the use of the commissioners. The council, however, does not al- 
low the board the full amount. 

The creation of the city and the construction of the water works at 
about the same time placed the council in a position of uncertainty as 
to the actual requirements of the fire department. The hand engines 
were no longer of use, and the question for determination was as to the 
number of hose companies necessary for the ample protection of prop- 
erty. The matter was decided in the course of a year or two, when 
three new companies were formed. These were Ford Hose (now Alert 
No. 2), successor to Rescue Engine Co. No. 3, of which mention has 
been made; Protection No. 3, and Independent No. 5. About the 
same time, as has been stated on a preceding page. Phoenix Engine Co. 
No. 1 became Mechanic's Engine Co. No. 1, but soon afterward chang- 
ed both name and character and became Mechanic's Ho.se Co. No. 6. 
The mention of these companies naturally suggest some allusion to each 
of them, and also to the only other and more recent company. Rock- 
bottom Hose Co. No. 7. 

Mechanic s Engine Co. No. i is first mentioned in the council pro- 
ceedings of May 4, 1868. The company was the outgrowth of the old 
Phoenix No. 1, but a few months after the water works was completed 
the engine was replaced with a hose cart, upon which the organization 
became known as Mechanic's Hose Co. No. 6. The company was in- 
corporated Dec. 18, 1883. For a period of thirty years this has been one 
of the hardest working companies of the department; a purely business 
organization from which much was expected and from which much has 
been received. Its duty has been honestly and faithfully performed, 
and when other companies purchased horses, Mechanic's did the same. 
It now occupies quarters in the central station and is ever ready for 
action. 

Protection Hose Co. No. j was organized February 26, 1869, and was 
received into the department by the common council May 8, following, 
with direction to the chief engineer to place with the company " any 
apparatus not now in use, and to furnish as much hose as can be spared 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 205 

by the department." Thus Protection Hose had an humble beginning-, 
but its value to the city was soon apparent and the citizens of the north 
side assisted in the purchase of a suitable duty cart. The horse hose 
cart came at a later date. The company now numbers 75 members, 
and comprises a highly efficient body of men. 

Independent Hose Co. No. 5 was received into the department in 1869, 
and was quartered in the east end of the Gaylord block, on South Main 
street, (now Vestal avenue). Later on it occupied rooms in the Dilly 
shop, but in 1881 the city built a brick building at the south end of the 
Washington street bridge. The present commodious quarters were 
erected in 1897-98. Number 5 is one of the mainstays of the fire de- 
partment, and the especial guardian of the Fifth ward. Its horse 
hose cart was purchased in 1896; the second horse was added in 1898. 
The company was incorporated March 16, 1886. Its present member- 
ship is 45 men ; and as determined a lot of workers as ever faced a fire. 

Rockbottom Hose Co. No. 7 was organized in 1875, and was comprised 
chiefly of young men residing in the locality known as " Millville. " 
Their territory was a manufacturing district in which an outbreak of 
fire demanded immediate attention. The company was formed for such 
emergencies and subsequent events showed the efficiency of the organ- 
ization. After several years occupancy of a little frame building 
on Carroll street, the city erected comfortable quarters for the company 
on Whitney street, near Carroll, from which point No. 7 covers its orig- 
inal territory and is also within convenient reach of the business center 
of the city. The company was incorporated March 23, 1885, and soon 
afterward appeared with a substantial horse hose cart. 

The Binghamton fire department at the present time comprises 
Crystal Hose Co. No. 1, quartered at the Fire Station; Alert Hose Co. 
No. 2, on Front street; Protection Hose Co. No. 3, on State and 
Chenango streets; Fountain Hose No. 4 Fire Co. (chemical), on Water 
street; Independent Hose Co., No. 5, on De Russey street; Mechanic's 
Hose Co. No. 6, at the Fire Station; Rockbottom Hose Co. No. 7, on 
Sherman Place; Excelsior Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1, on Water 
street; and also the steamers " City of Binghamton," "Bennett," and 
the recently acquired La France engine as yet unnamed. The latter is 
held in readiness for immediate use, and the others in reserve. 

The affairs of the department are managed by the board of fire com- 
missioners, comprising William F. Lentz, James W. Lyon, Alvin D. 
Fancher and Irving W. Butler. In action the department is under 



20G 



BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 



command of Chief Engineer Charles N. Hogg, who is constantly on 
duty. The first assistant engineer is James Eldridge, and the second, 
A. H. Lyon. In 1898 the commissioners provided a horse, wagon and 
driver for the chief, and a horse for first assistant. The department 
comprises an aggregate of more than 500 men. 




Central Fire Station — 1899. 



Collectively, and in the personal character of the members compris- 
ing its several companies, the Binghamton fire department holds a posi- 
tion in the front rank of the volunteer firemen of the country, and 
compared with similar organizations in cities of equal size with ours, in 
equipment, efficiency and disicipline the Binghamton department 
stands at the head. Discipline was one of the organic laws embodied 
in the ordinances regulating the fire department of the village as es- 
tablished in 1834, and the trustees went so far as to impose a fine upon 
every person elected to office in the department and who refused to 
serve. Company members were subject to like penalties for non- 
attendance at fires or other neglect of duty as firemen. The lesson of 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 207 

obedience was well learned during the early history of the department, 
and the spirit and letter of the principle have been cardinal features of 
each successive period of advancement in this branch of city govern- 
ment from 1834 to 1900. The results of this early forethought and 
provision are manifest in each annual review; and the superiority of 
the local department was never more strikingly demonstrated than in 
the grand pageant of fire companies in the city in August, 1898. On 
that occasion no less than eight local companies appeared in full uni- 
form and marched and maneuvered according to approved military 
tactics. 

In at least one other respect has our fire department enjoyed a 
special prominence, and that in the excellent personal character of the 
individual members comprising the several companies. This, too, ap- 
pears to have been an inherent trait handed down from the original 
generation of village firemen. A casual glance at the rolls of members 
comprising the fire department from 1834 to 1843 will disclose the 
names of men who afterwards filled high places in business, professional 
and political life, and who were men of high moral charcter. Indeed, 
the original hook and ladder companies were chosen from the best men 
in the place, and as the department afterward increased with the village 
population the best element of society found a place in the company 
ranks. This same commendable spirit has prevailed throughout all 
subsequent years, and to-day the personnel of the companies compris- 
ing our enlarged department numbers hundreds of men of mental and 
moral worth . 

In organizing the first fire department of the village the trustees 
authorized the men to elect their own company officers, and while no 
special provision appears to have been made for the higher officers the 
trustees reserved that authority to themselves. Under the revised 
ordinances the companies held an annual election of department officers, 
but the period was not without its disturbances, and the office of chief 
engineer was occasionally required to be filled by the trustees through 
some disagreement among the firemen. The village records indicate 
such a condition in 1842, when the board recommended the appoint- 
ment of Peter Miller as chief, and Tracy R. Morgan as assistant engi- 
neer. A few months afterward both resigned and the trustees appointed 
Major Augustus Morgan as chief, with power to select his own assistant. 
However, after the ordinances relating to the department were more 
fully revised, and especially after the companies had adopted constitu- 



208 BINGHAxMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

tions for their own government, the positions of chief and assistant 
engineer were regularly filled at an annual election. Unfortunately, the 
early department officers kept no records; at least, none are now in ex- 
istence. The village records, so far as they relate to fire department 
elections, are incomplete. Previous to 1852 there was neither depart- 
ment clerk nor treasurer, the only officers being the chief and his 
assistant. Under the charter of 1851 the offices of second assistant 
chief, clerk and treasurer were authorized to be filled at the annual 
department election. From 1852 to 1888 all department officers were 
elected by the companies, but in the year last mentioned the legisla 
ture revised the city charter and established a board of fire commission- 
ers. Since that time the department officers have been appointed by 
the board and have no fixed term of office. 

The act establishing the board provided for the appointment of four 
commissioners, two from each of the principal political parties of the 
state; and according to its provisions, on June 30, 1888, the mayor, 
Tracy R. Morgan, designated William F. Lentz commissioner for four 
years, WilHam S. Lawyer for three years, Jerome De Witt for two 
years, and Frank Stewart for one year. Subsequent appointments 
have been made for a term of four years. The mayor is ex- officio a 
member of the board, but has no vote in the councils of the board unless 
in case of tie. 

The first commission began its duties July 10, 1888, and since that 
time the afEairs and control of the firemen and fire department have 
been under its management. The act was certainly a wise provision 
of law, and has had the effect to entirely eliminate all discordant ele- 
ments from the department. Previous to the enactment of 1888 the 
annual department election occasionally partook of the unwholesome 
semblance of a heated political contest and unfriendly rivalries some- 
times followed. Now all is changed and under the present system 
perfect harmony prevails, and the greatest degree of efficiency is at- 
tained. The first board of commissioners comprised four veteran fire- 
men, each of whom possessed the entire confidence both of the depart- 
ment and the people. Subsequent appointees have likewise been 
chosen with reference to their capacity and worth, and their labors have 
elevated this branch of city government to a standing hardly hoped for 
by the most zealous advocates of the commissioner system. The per- 
sonnel of the commision will be found on a later page of this chapter. 
The fire department was incorporated under an act of the legislature 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 209 

passed April 33, 1869, providing that "all such persons as now are or 
hereafter may be engineers of the fire department of the city of Bing- 
hamton, or members of any company recognized by the common 
council, are hereby constituted a body corporate and politic, by the 
name of ' The Fire Department of the City of Binghamton.' " Under 
the act the department was authorized to purchase and hold real estate 
not exceeding in value the sum of $10,000, but its principal object was 
to accumulate a fund for the relief of indigent members who were in- 
jured in the actual performance of their duties as firemen, or such other 
persons as had become entitled to and received their certificates of ex- 
emption as firemen, and also for the relief of families of the aforesaid 
persons. Otherwise the fund was made available for the purchase of a 
firemen's burial lot in Spring Forest cemetery, and the erection there- 
on of a suitable monument; also for the endowment of a firemen's bed in 
the city hospital, and an annual expenditure of $300 on the occasion of 
the firemen's parade. 

The trustees of the incorporated department comprise the chief and 
the assistant engineers, the department clerk and the treasurer and the 
foremen of the several companies. The chief engineer is ex-officio pres- 
ident of the board of trustees, and the clerk and treasurer of the de- 
partment, perform their respective duties in connection with the cor- 
porate body. The firemen's burial lot in Spring Forest cemetery was 
purchased August 33, 1869, and contains 3,738 square feet of land. 
The splendid monument was erected in 1873. The department fund 
aggregates about $15,000. It is derived chiefly from the authorized as- 
sessments levied on non-state fire insurance companies doing business 
in the city. 

Having thus referred at length to the origin, growth and develop- 
ment of the Binghamton fire department, it is proper in closing this 
chapter to furnish a list of the department officers. However, as has 
been stated, the early records relating to this subject are both defective 
and incomplete, from which fact the years of service of several of the 
officers cannot be given. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT CIVIL LIST. 

Chief Engineers. — Joseph K. Rugg, Henry M. Collier, Peter Miller, 
appointed May 18, 1843, resigned Aug. 4, 1843; Maj, Augustus Mor- 
gan, appointed Aug. 4, 1843; Tracy R. Morgan, 1843; Levi Dimmick, 
1844; Levi M. Rexford, 1845; George Bartlett, declined to serve; 

14 



210 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Frederick A. Morgan, 1848; Jacob Morris, 1851-55; Frederick A. Mor- 
gan, 1856-58; Abraham De Witt, 1859-60; Frederick A Morgan, 
186'l-64; William S. Lawyer, 1865-66; Erastus R. Campbell, 1867-72; 
Edward A. Roberts, 1873; Harlan G. Blanding, 1874; Stephen B. 
Brass, 1875; James W. Lyon, 1876; William F. Lentz, 1877-78 ; Jerome 
DeWitt, 1879-80; Albert W. Lockwood, 1881; Frank W. Lovelace, 
1882; Dan S. Burr, 1883; Loren S. Harding, 1884-85; John F. Morris- 
sey, 1886; Frank Stewart, 1887; Fred. W. Welch, 1888; Frank B. 
Newell, 1889-90; Irving W. Butler, 1891; Charles N. Hogg, 1892-(now 
chief). 

First Assistant Engineers. — Tracy R. Morgan, 1842; John D. Day, 
1843; Tracy R. Morgan, 1844; Abraham DeWitt, 1848; Job N. Cong- 
don, 1851-52; Ashbel Fred. Stone, 1853;Ashbel F. Stone, 1854; Wm. 
E. Abbott, 1855; J. Stuart Weils, 1856; Abraham DeWitt, 1857-58; H. 
Clay Preston, 1859; Hiram C. Rodgers, 1860-61; Evan R. Jones, 1862; 
Benj. DeVoe, 1863; Lewis S. Abbott, 1864; Isaiah S. Dunham, 1865; 
Erastus R. Campbell, 1866; David L. Brownson, 1867; Henry F. Steb- 
bins, 1868; Robert Crozier, 1869-71; Stephen B. Drass, 1872; Horace 

E. Allen, 1873; Stephen B. Drass, 1874; James W. Lyon, 1875; William 

F. Lentz, 1876; Irving W. Butler, 1877; Jerome DeWitt, 1878; Samuel 
J. Bennett, 1879-80; Frank W. Lovelace, 1881; Dan S. Burr, 1882; 
Loren S. Harding, 1883; John F. Morrissey, 1884; Frank Stewart, 
1885; Thos. F. Baker, 1886; Paul A. Malles, 1887; Thomas F. Lynch, 
1888; John J. Farrell, 1889; M. F. Whalen, 1890; Charles N. Hogg, 
1891; James Eldridge, 1892. 

Second Assistant Engineers. — Abraham De Witt, special election 
March 7, 1856; Lewis S. Abbott, 1857; H. Clay Preston, 1858; Erastus 
R. Campbell, 1859; Myron A. Holmes, 1860; Evan R. Jones, 1861; 
Lewis S. Abbott, 1862; Elijah F. Bloomer, 1863; Charles Gale, 1864; 
Jordan Lockwood, 1865; John A. McNamara, 1866 ; Henry F. Stebbins, 
1867; Frederick Severson, 1868; Fred. A. Holmes, 1869; Charles Per- 
kins, 1870; Lee Dawson, 1871; Wm. H. Van vSlyck, 1872; Harlan G. 
Blanding, 1873; James W. Lyon, 1874; Dan S. Burr, 1875; Irving W. 
Butler, 1876; Jerome DeWitt, 1877; Samuel J. Bennett, 1878; James 
Van Emburg, 1879; Albert W. Lockwood, 1880; Dan S. Burr, 1881; 
Loren S. Harding, 1882; John Morrissey, 1883; Samuel W. Avery, 
1884; Fred. W. Welch, 1885; Paul A. Malles, 1886; Wm. H. Gohring, 
1887; Martin F. Whalen, 1888; James W. Aldrich, 1889; Thomas 
Christian, 1890; Jas. Eldridge, 1891; A. H. Lyon, 1892. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 211 

(r/^r/^.f.— Vincent Graves. 1852-61 ; Abraham DeWitt, 1861-63; J. W. 
Williams, 1864; Abraham DeWitt, 1865-80; George H. Foster, 1881; 
Owen J. Coughlin, 1882; Thomas C. Baker, 1883; Charles A. Everett, 
1884; S. D. Reynolds, 1885; J. M. Kenwood, 1886; Thomas Lynch, 
1887; Fred. Michelbach, 1888-97; Henry C. Maxwell, 1898. 

Treasurers.— 1:x2lcy R. Morgan, 1852; J. T. Brodt, 1853; Fred. A. 
Morgan, 1854-55; James S. Gary, 1856-58; Fred. A. Morgan, 1859; 
George L. Lawyer, 1860; H. Clay Preston, 1861-66; Lewis S. Abbott, 
1867; John A. McNamara, 1868; Lewis S. Abbott, 1869-76; Alexander 
S. Patten, 1870-98; William W. Sisson, 1898. 

Fire Commissioners. — William F. Lentz (four years), William S, 
Lawyer (three years), Jerome De Witt (two years), Frank Stewart (one 
year), appointed June 30, 1888; Frank Stewart, 1889; Jerome DeWitt, 
1890, resigned May 26, 1890, and James W. Lyon appointed to the 
vacancy; Joseph Gilbert, 1891; William F. Lentz, 1892; Frank Stew- 
art, 1893, resigned February 21. and Alvin D. Fancher appointed ; James 
W. Lyon, 1894; Joseph Gilbert, 1895; William F. Lentz, 1896; Alvin 
D. Fancher, 1897; James W. Lyon, 1898; Irving W. Butler, 1899. 

The Simpson Medal. — The idea of awarding a gold medal to members 
of the fire department originated in 1889, with one of Binghamton's 
public-spirited citizens — John B. Simpson — an ex-fireman and retired 
manufacturer. The purpose of the medal is to show proper apprecia- 
tion of valor on the part of an active fireman on duty. The award is 
not made indiscriminately, and only for acts of pure, unselfish heroism, 
and is left to the discretion of the commissioners. One medal annual- 
ly is awarded if the commissioners decide that an act worthy of the gift 
has been performed. The prize was first splendidly won by George 
Allen, of Crystal No. 1, March 24, 1893. 

EXEMPT FIREMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 

This notable organization of veteran firemen was brought into exist- 
ence June 10, 1860, under the provision of law which declared that 
"any fireman who shall have served five years in any recognized fire 
company, and who shall have received an honorable discharge, shall 
be exempt from military duty, or serving as juror in any courts of this 
state, or from paying a poll tax." 

On the day mentioned in the preceding paragraph a number of exempt 
firemen of Binghamton held a meeting and perfected an organization^ 
adopted a constitution and by-laws, and elected officers for the ensuing 



213 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

year. Among other things, the laws of the association provided for 
duty at fires, when the members devoted themselves to saving and pro- 
tecting property, preventing the operations of thieving and mischievous 
persons, forming lines about burning buildings and keeping idlers from 
interfering with the work of firemen, and also generally performing 
police .and patrol duty on such occasions. 

On January 26, 1866, the association organized what was known as 
Exempts Fire company, which was recognized by the trustees. The 
officers were Frederick A. Morgan, foreman; Erastus R. Campbell, 
first assistant; Charles Gale, second assistant; OHver A. Cary, secre- 
tary, and Hiram Sanders, treasurer. The company had twenty-nine 
members besides officers. It was a famous veterans' organization, 
auxiliary to the association, and was of great service both to the village 
and the department until May 11, 1868, when it was dissolved. 

The Exempt Firemen's association also had its fraternal and benevo- 
lent sides, and on numerous occasions gave relief to sick and indigent 
members, and also to others who were not of their number but who 
were worthy of help. The members were, and still are, distinguished 
by a badge, a neat device appropriately inscribed and bearing on its 
face the symbolic letters of the association. Few indeed of these 
badges are now in existence, but wherever found are regarded as em- 
blems of faithful service and an honor to the wearer. 

Early in its history the association inaugurated the custom of an annual 
chowder party, a purely festal occasion for both veteran and active fire- 
men and their friends. Later on and beginning in 1872 an annual 
clambake was established. These were highly popular events and 
were well patronized by the laity of the department and business men 
of the city. 

The affairs of the association have always been conducted on business 
principles, yet during its history there have been times when the inter- 
est waned, or when adverse circumstances compelled a temporary 
suspension of meetings; but the association never at any time ceased 
to exist. One of these lapses occurred in 1865-66, another in 1868-72, 
and a third in 1894-97. Reorganizations were effected in 1873 and 
1898. The present members number 114 exempt firemen. The entire 
roll of membership from the founding of the association includes more 
than 400 names. 

The succession of officers since 1860, so far as the records disclose, 
have been as' follows: 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 213 

Presidents.— ?rQ^. A. Morgan, 1860; Abraham De Witt, 1861-67; 
Job N. Congdon, 1873; J. Frank Rice, 1874; Benjamin De Voe, 1875; 
George L. Lawyer, 1876; Duncan R. Grant, 1877; Henry A. Slosson. 
1878; Charles D. Rogers, 1879; Charles Gale, 1880; James H. Bartlett, 
1881; S. Foster Black, 1882; James W. Lyon, 1883; W. S. Harding, 
1884; John A. McNamara, 1885; A.J. Champagne, 1886; Benj. De 
Voe, 1887; Henry T. Alden, 1888; Henry A. Slosson, 1889; Frank H. 
Stephens, 1890-91; Charles D. Rogers, 1892; Charles Gale, 1892-97; 
Alfred Allen, 1898. 

Vice-Presidents.—)!. Clay Preston, 1860; Morgan S. Lewis, 1861 
Evaiider Spaulding, 1862-67; Benj. DeVoe, 1873; Daniel Lyons, 1874 
Charles D. Rogers, 1875; Charles Gale, 1876; Ed. A. Roberts, 1877 
Stephen B. Drass, 1878; Wm. F. Lentz, 1879; James H. Bartlett, 1880 
S. Foster Black, 1881; James W. Lyon, 1882; Henry A. Slosson, 1883 
Seymour S. Horton, 1884; A. J. Champagne, 1885; A. S. Patten, 1886 
Henry T. Alden, 1887; Wm. E. Patten, 1888; Louis Kolb, 1889; W. J 
Stone, 1890-91; George L. Lawyer, 1892; Abraham DeWitt, 1893-97 
B. H. Reynolds, 1898. 

Secretaries. — Benj. De Voe, 1860; George H. Cooke, 1861; Solomon 
F. Gary, 1862; Laurel L. Olmsted, 1863; Fred. A. Morgan, 1864-65; 
Oliver A. Gary, 1867; Geo. L. Lawyer, 1873-75; Henry A. Slosson, 
1876-77; Geo. L. Lawyer, 1878-81; Wm. H. Mosher, 1882; Geo. L. 
Lawyer, 1883-88; James M. BuUis, 1889-91; Henry A. Slosson, 1892- 
97; James M. Bullis, 1898. 

Treasurers. — Daniel Lyons, 1860; Erastus R. Campbell, 1861; S. F. 
Gary, 1862; Lewis S. Abbott, 1863-64; Fred. A. Morgan, 1867; Jno. 
A. McNamara, 1873-76; Fred. A. Morgan, 1877; S. F. Gary, 1878; 
Jno. A. McNamara, 1879; Fred. A. Morgan, 1880-85; Henry A. Slos- 
son, 1886-87; Abraham DeWitt, 1888-92; Job N. Congdon, 1893-97; 
W. S. Harding, 1898. 



214 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 



CHAPTER XIII. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The educational system of the village and city of Binghamton has 
shown a slow, conservative and uniform growth from the early years of 
the present century, and during that period has developed from the 
primitive germ into an organism as complete as modern methods can 
produce. School houses and books now offer to the poorest student the 
lights and opportunities of knowledge which royalty could not command 
one and two centuries ago. The highest institutions of learning of a 
hundred years ago did not afford the opportunity of education equal 
to that of our present central high school. In the early years of the 
century the schools in existence were organized in conformity with the 
State laws, but such mention naturally suggests a brief inquiry into 
the origin and subsequent growth of our common school system. 

The King's college in New York city was incorporated in 1754, and 
was endowed by a lottery and grants of land. At the outbreak of the 
Revolution it was the only incorporated institution of learning in the 
colony. In 1784 its name was changed to Columbia college, and in 
connection with it an extensive scheme of education was devised, in 
which the college was the center of the system, with branches in dif- 
ferent parts of the state. The whole was to be under control of a 
board of " Regents of the University," the latter to consist of the prin- 
cipal state officers and one member chosen from each religious denom- 
ination. The board was subsequently increased by the addition of 33 
others, 20 of whom resided in New York city. But the whole scheme 
was found to be impracticable, hence by the act of April 13, 1787, it 
was superseded by a system which has continued without essential 
change to the present time. 

The regents of the university were constituted by the act, and com- 
prised the governor, lieut. -governor and 19 other persons therein named. 
The board was given power to incorporate colleges and academies, pro- 
viding the annual revenue of the latter did not exceed the value of 
" four thousand bushels of wheat." The latter provision was subse- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 215 

quently modified. In 1842 the secretary of state, and in 1854 the 
superintendent of public instruction, were made ex-ofificio members of 
the board. The regents inspect the academies of the state, prescribe 
rules for making their returns, apportion moneys annually distributed 
among them, and report to the legislature the statistical returns of col- 
leges and academies, with such recommendations as they deem proper. 
The members of the board hold their offices for life, unless vacated by 
resignation, removal from the state, neglect to attend one meeting of 
the board each year, or accept some office inconsistent with their mem- 
bership. One or two of the early academic institutions of the village 
were incorporated by the regents of the university, while our academic 
school has always been under their control. 

The office of superintendent of public instruction was created by act 
of the legislature, March 30, 1854. This officer has general superin- 
tendence of the public free schools of the state; apportions the public 
moneys appropriated by the state for the support of schools; gives ad- 
vice and direction upon questions arising under the school laws; hears 
and determines appeals involving school controversies, and is charged 
with general control and management of teachers' institutes. The of- 
fice is also vested with various other powers not necessary to be men- 
tioned in this chapter. 

Previous to the Revolution no general system of education was estab- 
lished in the state, and all the schools which had been founded were of 
a private character or the result of special legislation. The necessity 
of common schools had not then been recognized and education was 
principally confined to the wealthier classes. In 1787 Gov. Clinton 
called the attention of the legislature to the subject of education and a 
law was thereupon passed creating the board of regents. Two years 
later an act appropriated certain portions of the public lands for gospel 
and school purposes. In 1793 the regents suggested the establishment 
of a general system of common schools, and in 1795 the governor 
strongly advocated the same measure. On April 9, 1795, the legisla- 
ture passed an act for the purpose of encouraging schools in the several 
cities and towns of this state, in which the children of inhabitants 
should be instructed in the English language, or be taught English 
grammar, arithmetic, mathematics and such other branches of knowl- 
edge as were most useful and necessary to a good English education. 
Under the act the sum of $50,000 was to be appropriated annually for 
five years for the support of common schools. Boards of supervisors 



21C BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

were required to raise by tax one- half as much money as they received 
from the state. Each town was to elect from three to seven commis- 
sioners to take charge of its schools, examine teachers and apportion 
the moneys among the several districts. 

The beneficial result of this system, imperfect as it was, was appar- 
ent, and in 179S no less than 1,352 schools were organized under its 
provisions. Further legislative measures were adopted to increase the 
funds and improve the system, one of which was an act (in 1799) 
authorizing the raising of $100,000 by four lotteries, seven-eighths of 
which amount was for the benefit of common schools. In 1801 another 
like sum was raised by lottery, one-half of which was devoted to the 
schools. In 1800 the assembly appropriated $50,000 for the support of 
schools, but the measure was defeated in the senate. During the 
several years following 1800, the successive governors urged the legis- 
lature to enact new laws for the encouragement of common schools, yet 
nothing substantial was accomplished until 1811, when five commis- 
sioners were appointed to report a complete system of organization. 
The commissioners reported February 14, 1812, and accompanied their 
plan with a proposed bill. The former was accepted by the legislature, 
and the bill became a law. Under the act Gideon Hawley' was ap- 
pointed superintendent and held the office from 1813 to 1821. The 
system proved successful, and the changes of subsequent years had the 
effect to still further improve the condition of the public schools. In 
1821 the office of state superintendent was abolished and its duties de- 
volved upon the secretary of state. In 1835 a law was passed providing 
for a teachers' department in eight academies, one in each senatorial 
district. In 1838 the district library system was established, and in 
1841 the office of deputy superintendent was created. In 1843 the 
office of town inspectors of schools was abolished, and that of town 
superintendent was substituted. On May 7, 1844, an act was passed to 

' In 1813 Gideon Hawlcy notified the clerk of Kroome county that the amount of school money 
apportioned to the county for that year was $423,85. In 1817 the commissioners of common schools 
of the town of Chenanj^o were Mason Whiting and Oliver Ely. In 1818 the commissioners were 
Mason Whiting, Horace Williston and Zenas Pratt. In 1830 the town contained twenty entire and 
two partial districts. The number of children of school age— between five and fifteen years- 
then in the town was 611 ; number of children attending school, 650; amount of public money 
apportioned to the town, $180.19. The commissioners in 1820 were Mason Whiting, Oliver Ely and 
John McKinney ; in 1823, Ammi Doubleday and Thomas G. Waterman ; in 1824. Col. Oliver Ely 
and Myron Merrill ; 1825, Isaac Tompkins and Augustus Morgan; 1820, Myron JMerrill and William 
Wentz ; 1827. Mason Whiting, ( )livcr Ely and Augustus Morgan. In 1820 A. C. Flagg, statu super- 
intendent, apportioned to Broome county $'.)5it.l7. In that year the county's population was 
l.%s!i;? ; tlie town of Chenango had 7,282 inhabitants, and received $172.10of the public school funds. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 217 

establish a State Normal school, and accordingly such an institution 
was opened at Albany in December of the same year. 

The establishment of a State Normal school for the professional edu- 
cation of teachers had been strongly advocated by distinguished friends 
of the measure for several years, and the grand results accomplished 
during the early period of its operation led to still other institutions of 
the same character in different parts of the state. The legislature v\^as 
constantly besieged with applications looking to that end, and the vil- 
lage of Binghamton was not without aspirations in the same direction. 
The proposition was before the village trustees in 1866, when Dr. John 
G. Orton, Benjamin N. Loomis, William W. Elliott, Cyrus Strong and 
John B. Bowen were appointed a committee to visit Albany and present 
the subject to the legislative committee. The request, though strong- 
ly urged, was not granted. 

In 1847 the office of county superintendent of common schools was 
abolished, although the measure was strongly opposed by many of the 
best friends of education in the state. In the same year teachers' in- 
stitutes, which had previously existed as voluntary associations, were 
legally established. They have ever since been maintained and have 
been productive of great benefit to teachers in the district schools. 

On March 25, 1849, the legislature passed an act to establish free 
schools throughout the state. Under the act the old rate bill was abol- 
ished and the expense of the schools above the state appropriation was 
made a tax upon the districts. The act was submitted to the people 
and was sustained by a majority of 3 to 1. The system, however, 
proved impracticable, in consequence of the lack of uniformity in com- 
plying with the tax laws, and demands for its repeal poured upon the 
legislature from all parts of the state. In 1850 the law was again sub- 
mitted to the people and was again sustained. However in 1851 the 
free school act was repealed and the rate bill system was restored. 

Union free schools were authorized under the act of 1853, and with 
their full organization and operation under the liberal provisions of the 
law the old tuition academic system soon passed out of existence. The 
creation of the new system was a complete recognition of the free 
school principle and was an important step in the progress of education 
in the state. While the department of schools was a subordinate branch 
of the department of state it was impossible to give to the former that 
character and efficiency necessary to the best interests of the schools 
in general ; but in 1854 the office of superintendent of public instruc- 



218 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

tion was created, thus restoring the original system of general super- 
vision. With the welcome change every branch of education felt a new 
impulse and constantly improved and developed from that to the pres- 
ent time. The compulsory education act is one of the most important 
recent measures, and its effect has been to greatly reduce the ratio of 
illiteracy and juvenile crime in the state. 

The office of school commissioner was created in 185G, and by the 
same act the office of town superintendent was abolished. This sub- 
stantially restored the county superintendency system, the abolition of 
which in 1847 was so disastrous to the interests of education. Soon 
after 18iO provision was made for the maintenance of separate schools 
for the education of colored children in districts where the association 
of the whites and negroes was offensive to the people. Such a school 
was opened in Binghamton about 1845, and was continued several 
years. In 1861, when the village districts were consolidated a separ- 
ate school was organized for colored pupils, and was maintained until 
after Mr. Lincoln's emancipation proclamation of 1868. This subject, 
however, will be further mentioned on a later page. 

The early village schools were established in conformity with the laws 
of the state and chiefly under the act of 1812, to which reference has 
been made. Tradition says the first school in the vicinity was that 
owned by Col. William Rose in a little cheerless log house that stood 
near the Dutch Reformed church at the foot of Mount Prospect. This 
was as early as 1790 or '91, but the school was soon abandoned in favor 
of another in the Bevier locality east of the Chenango. This, too, had 
only a temporary existence, and was soon succeeded by a new school 
on the west side of the river, in the Squires neighborhood, as near as 
can now be ascertained. These were the original schools of Bingham- 
ton, and were opened and supported wholly at private expense. The 
first teachers were generally men having families, and there was little 
inclination at the time to place a school under the charge of a young 
woman. Following Col. Rose, who is remembered as one of the 
pioneers of the valley, the later teachers in the locality mentioned were 
a son of General Patterson, a Mr. Fay, Mr. Cook and a Mr. Sleighter, 
whose Chris 'ian names are lost with the lapse of years. All, however, 
taught school previous to 1800. 

So far as any known record discloses there was no regularly organized 
school in the village previous to the act of February 14, 1812, but in 
the next year the territory comprised a part of at least two school dis- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 219 

tricts, and possibly others. Unfortunately, the old town records of 
Chenango are lost, and data relating to early schools are meagre and 
unsatisfactory. It is known that soon after 1813, districts Nos. 3 and 
12 were organized and included much of the village tract, the former 
east and the latter west of the Chenango. 

On November 23, 1813, Joshua Whitney conveyed to the freeholders 
of school district No, 3, of the town of Chenango, lot No. 57 in the vil- 
lage tract of Binghamton, for the purpose of a public school, " and for 
no other purpose," as the deed recites. Under this conveyance the dis- 
trict became possessed of the lot at the southeast corner of Washington 
and Hawley streets, as now known, although at the time Hawley street 
was nothing more than a lane leading from Water street to vSquires' 
tannery. The lot originally contained one acre and 27 rods of land, but 
in opening Hawley street in 1828 one-fourth of an acre was taken for 
that thoroughfare. 

Although the land was acquired in 1813, the school house was not 
built on the lot until many years afterward. One of the earliest schools 
in this locality was kept in the now called Seymour building, on the 
northeast corner of Hawley and Washington streets. It was maintain- 
ed several years, and among its earliest teachers were Pamelia Wentz 
and Miss Waterhouse. The exact date of erection of the building on 
the lot donated by General Whitney is unknown. It was for many 
years a familiar landmark in the village and the survivor of all the old 
school buildings. It was of brick, one story high, and within its walls 
many of our now older men and women acquired their early education. 
In later years the school house was frequently mentioned as Mrs. 
Mantz' school, that estimable woman having taught the children of the 
district many terms. The building was in service until 1879, when it 
was replaced with the large structure known in board of education cir- 
cles as school No. 2. 

The present Oak street school is the direct outgrowth of old district 
No. 12 of the town of Chenango, the latter having been organized in 
1813. The trustees' records from 1818 to 1842 are in posses.sion of 
Charles B. Johnson, son of Thomas Johnson, the latter one of the old 
district clerks. Of the several districts including portions of the city 
territory, this was the only one of which any reliable record can now be 
found. It discloses many interesting facts, both of school and village 
history, and in a way furnishes information concerning the early resi- 
dents of the district. The territory of the district included all that part 



220 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

of the city west of the Chenango river and a considerable area beyond 
its limits. 

Through information gathered from the best sources it appears that 
the first school house in district No. 12 was built on a lot on the west 
side of Front street, about on the site now occupied by the Abbott resi- 
dence. On July 11, 1814, Daniel Le Roy conveyed this lot to " Seeley 
Squier," David D. Whitmarsh and Daniel Le Roy as trustees of school 
district No. 12, of the town of Chenango, the consideration mentioned 
in the deed being the nominal sum of one dollar, and an interest in the 
"promotion of literature," which was felt by the worthy grantor. The 
deed also mentioned the fact that a school house was then standing on 
the lot, from which it is assumed that the building must have been 
erected as early as 1813, and possibly before that year. ~ A school was 
maintained in this location at least fifteen years. The building was 
two stories high, and in the upper story was the Masonic lodge room. 
Waring S. Weed and Maria (Tupper) Canoll distinctly remember the 
old building, having attended the school. Both also remember certain 
Masonic figures painted on the stair walls, all of which made a dis- 
quieting effect on the youthful mind during the anti-Masonic period. 

In 1834 the legislature passed an act authorizing the district trustees 
to sell the property on Front street and use the proceeds to purchase 
another site for a school. Accordingly, Vincent Whitney. Samuel 
Smith and Samuel S. Hill, as trustees, conveyed the land to John A. 
Collier, and in exchange therefor received a deed from Mr. Collier for 
seventy-seven square rods of land in lot No. 32 of the village plot. This 
lot was at the corner of Oak and North streets, as now known, although 
at the time Oak street was merely a lane leading north from Main 
street, and was known by the undignified name of " Pig Alley." 

At a district meeting held in 1818 the inhabitants voted to employ 
a Mr. Ketchum as teacher and to allow him $2.50 for each pupil taught 
seventy-two days, the worthy pedagogue, however, being required to 
collect his own school bills, board himself and furnish fuel for the 
school house. At this time John McKinney was district clerk and 
kept the records. In 1839 the district was changed to No. 4, and was 
much less in area than formerly.' In the year last mentioned, accord- 

' In 1834 William M. Waterman deeded to the trustees of district No. 17, of Chenango, and No. 
31, of Union, a lot of land on the north side of the "main road leading from Binghamton to 
Owego," and west of the " Berkshire road." The school house was built soon afterward, and 
was torn down only a few years ago. It was a brick building, one story high. This old school is 
easily remembered as standing on the north side of Main street in the western part of the city. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 221 

ing to the report of the trustees (Peter Mills, Pelatiah B. Brooks and 
Jason R. Orton), the number of children of school age — between five 
and sixteen years — in the district was 111, of whom eighty-six attended 
school. They were the children or lived in the families of the house- 
holders mentioned in the report. The names of the heads of families 
are reproduced here for the purposes of our record and also that the 
reader may know who were residents of the district at the time. The 
figure following each name indicates the number of children of school 
age then in the family. The list was as follows: 

Gabriel Armstrong, 4; Myron Merrill, 2; J. Boughton, 1; S. Smith, 
3; P. B. Brooks, 1; Thomas G. Waterman, 2; V. Whitney, 2; J. Whit- 
more, 2; F. Whiting, 6; E. White, 6; J. S. Hawley, 3; R. Morris, 2; 
O. Waterhouse 3; W. Whitney, 3; A. Root, 1 ; C. C. Baldwin, 2; Wm. 
Wentz, 4; Francis Berrian, 2; B. Morse, 3; L. Terwilliger, 1; S. A. 

Newton, 2; Patterson, 4; T. Weyant, 2; M. Wells, 2; C. J. Orton, 

1; Solon Stocking, 4; Peter Mills, 2; T. O'Hara, 3; Samuel Peterson, 
1; John Stone, 1 ; J. R. Orton, 2; W. C. Johnson, 1; Ephraim F. Mat- 
thews, 1; -Samnel H. P. Hall, 3; G. Campbell, 6; G. Newell, 3; Lewis 
Seymour, 3; L. Hardy, 4; J. Sexton, 3; G. Nash, 3; J. B. Mcintosh, 2; 
J. Rose, 4; Hugh Murray, 1. 

Nothing is found in the record to indicate the year in which the first 
school was built on the Oak street site, although present opinion in- 
clines to the belief that it was done very soon after the exchange of 
property was effected. 

The schools in districts Nos. 3 and 12 were in existence and were 
well attended when the village was incorporated in 1834, and were, 
with perhaps a single exception, the only public schools ' within its 
limits. At the time mentioned the inhabitants numbered about 1,500 
and quite a settlement had been made in the Whitney neighborhood, 
as the eastern part of the village was called. Whether a new district 
was created for this portion of the town is not known, but as early as 
1826 or 1827 a little log school house stood near the southeast 
corner of Court and Liberty streets. The lands south of the Susque- 
hanna were then sparsely settled, but as early as 1825 a school house 
was built on the Moore farm. It is still standing and is one of the 
oldest buildings in the city. About the same time a school house was 
built in the Scutt settlement. It stood about on the line of Hotchkiss 
street as afterward laid out and perhaps twenty rods southwest from the 

' A doubt exists as to whether the Millville school was then in fact built. 



222 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

old Montrose turnpike. The Scutt neighborhood included all the 
region surrounding the present Ross Park. A school was maintained 
in this locality until the park was taken into the city, upon which the 
country district merged into the city school system. 

In the upper portion of the Sixth ward was the once known Ransom 
school, the ultimate outgrowth of which was the Tompkinsville school, 
and still later the Alfred Street school. However, when the territory 
south of the river was comparatively well settled the district built a 
more centrally located school house on Mary street, which soon took the 
name of the Brighamville school, the present New Street school being 
its successor. 

In the same manner as indicated in preceding paragraphs, the con- 
stant growth of the city and the extension of its corporate limits have 
taken from the town of Binghamton much of its territory and merged 
its schools into those of the city. Among the more important of these 
districts was that in the Bevier settlement, where a school of some kind 
has been maintained for about a century. Another was the Pierce 
Creek school, which was absorbed by the city system only a few years 
ago. Still others were in the west, northwest and extreme eastern por- 
tions of the city, all of which in turn have been superseded by the 
admirable schools maintained by the board of education. 

The schools mentioned on preceding pages as having been in exist- 
ence during the period from 1813 to 1861, were established and main- 
tained in accordance with the district school system of the state. They 
were generally known as common schools, and afforded only the rudi- 
ments of an education. They were supported in part by the limited 
appropriation of the state for school purposes, and in part by the tax 
levied by each district for school maintenance. The aggregate of the 
funds was variable, and rare indeed were the occasions on which the 
freeholders voted a liberal sum for school support. They considered 
themselves too poor to afford the expense, and as a consequence the 
education of the children was seriously neglected. In early times the 
teacher was paid a certain small amount for each pupil taught and, as 
in district No. 12, the pedagogue was generally required to board him- 
self, collect his own school bills and provide fuel for use during the 
winter months. At best the system was imperfect, the teachers as a 
rule were not well qualified for their work, and school teaching was a 
makeshift rather than a profession. There was no fixed standard of 
capacity previous to the inauguration of the institutes, hence the facili- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 223 

ties for acquiring even a fair education in the common schools were 
exceedingly limited. The select and academic schools were intended 
to remedy the defects in the district system, and accomplished their pur- 
pose to a certain extent, yet through that medium the opportunities for 
an education were practically confined to the children whose parents 
could afford to pay for the privilege. Furthermore, during the period 
of their existence, select and academic schools were chiefly confined to 
villages and cities. 

The period of private and select schools in Binghamton began soon 
after 1820 and continued until the Union Free system was inaugurated. 
One of the earliest private schools in the village was opened in a 
building which stood about on the site of the Chenango House on 
Water street. It was taught by one Hovey for a time and also by J. B. 
Wilkinson, author of the Annals of Binghamton. Mr. Wilkinson after- 
ward taught in a dwelling house at the corner of Hawley and Collier 
streets, opposite Bartlett's mill. He was a noted teacher in his time, 
and was a peculiar, though accurate writer of local history. Among 
the other select schools was that taught by Nancy Bowers, at the cor- 
ner of Chenango and Henry streets, and another by Nancy Keyes, at 
the corner of Washington and Hawley streets. Other early teachers in 
the village were Emeline De Witt, Eunice Brigham, Mary Jane and 
Pamelia Peterson, Frances and Sophia Tully, Adeline, Frances and 
Mary Marvin, Carlos J. Tucker, John H. H. Park, Calista Starkweather, 
Lydia A. Dunn (on Oak street north of Maiden Lane), Eveline E. 
Stockwell, Miss L. A. Sciple, Hannah Sciple, Virena M. Austin, 
Delaphine vStocking and Sarah Baird. Margaret J. Lawyer was princi- 
pal in the Oak Street school in 1844-45. 

Soon after 1830 an academic high school was opened at the corner of 
Chenango and Lewis streets, in the house in which Rev. Peter Lock- 
wood afterward lived and died. The teachers here were the Misses 
White, ladies of refinement and education, who conducted a Catholic 
school of high order, and one which attracted attention and attendance 
from nearly all the large cities in the state. A special teacher in French 
was one of the distinguishing features of the school. Although generally 
advertised and known as an academic school, the institution was not in- 
corporated. It was in successful operation several years in the location 
on Chenango street, and was then removed to the (now) Barlow residence 
site on Front street, where it was continued for a time. This school was 
the nucleus of St. Joseph's parochial school, the latter one of the largest 
and best educational institutions of its kind in this part of the state. 



224 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

After the removal of the academic hig-h school from the Lock wood 
corner, Emily and Mary Hill conducted a private school in the build- 
ing about one year. They had thirteen pupils, three of whom were 
young ladies; the others were children. 

The Binghamton Female seminary was another popular select school 
of the village for a period of several years, and was opened soon after 
1830 in a house said to have been erected for the purpose by Rev. Peter 
Lockwood, at the southwest corner of Chenango and Lewis streets, on 
the site of the present Moon building. The school was under the 
charge of Mrs. Jared N. Root. The institution passed out of existence 
about 1840. 

About the same time Mr. Lockwood conducted a boys' school in a 
house on the north side of Lewis street, west of the corner of Chenango 
street. Among his pupils may be recalled the names of Rev. Wm. T. 
Doubleday, George D. Marsh, John M. Uoubleday, and also the sons 
of Edward Tompkins, General Waterman and Mr. Lockwood. 

The once famous " Harmony Retreat seminary " was opened in the 
village in November, 1842, by Mary and Eliza Marsh, daughters of 
Norman Marsh. The school was admirably conducted and found favor 
with the people. Soon after 1850 Hannah Marsh was added to the 
corps of teachers, and in 1851 Fanny Marsh began work in the same 
capacity. In the latter year a building was erected especially for 
school purposes, and from that time to 1861 the seminary was one of 
the most noted schools for young ladies in this part of the state. Dur- 
ing the period of its history the total enrollment numbered more than 
500 pupils, among whom were the daughters of many of the most prom- 
inent and wealthy residents of the village, with a good patronage from 
other places. The old "attendance rolls contain the names of hundreds 
of young women who afterward married with our best business and 
professional men. The seminary building stood on Chenango street, very 
near the site of the North Presbyterian church. About 1862 the board 
of education urged a union of the seminary with the free schools of the 
village, but this was not accomplished. 

The Binghamton Female seminary was another popular school for 
young ladies, and was conducted on the liberal basis that characterized 
Harmony Retreat seminary. It was opened in August, 1848, as a 
boarding and day school for young ladies, under the supervision of 
Ruth S. Ingalls, preceptress, in the house formerly occupied by Mr. 
Charles G. Hart, on Front street, about where now stands the resi- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 235 

dence of William W. Sisson. Miss Ingalls was a graduate at the Oneida 
Conference seminary, of Cazenovia, and was a woman of culture and 
refinem-ent as well as a teacher of excellent capacity. The musical de- 
partment was under the immediate charge of Mrs. J. C. Robie, who is 
still well remembered by many of our citizens. The institution also 
furnished an excellent course of study in French and the classics. 

The seminary was well patronized by the people of Binghamton and 
drew a fair attendance from other places. It was successfully conduct- 
ed for a period of about 20 years, and only declined with the accession 
of the academic department of the Union Free schools. In its course 
of study and general management the Binghamton Female seminary 
was the fair competitor of the Harmony Retreat seminary on Chenango 
street, yet there was no rivalry between them. 

Another young ladies' school of more than passing note was Miss 
Barton's seminary in the Orton block, on Henry street. It was opened 
in 1857 and was contiuued until about 1870. 

In the same connection may be mentioned the young ladies' school 
opened in 1861 in the old Brandywine hotel building (now the Lady 
Jane Grey school) by Susan Kent Cook, the daughter of Rev. J. B. 
Cook. Miss Cook was unquestionably one of the most refined and cul- 
tured teachers ever in Binghamton, although for some cause the 
school was not a financial success. In the east Miss Cook was a favor- 
ite pupil of the distinguished Agassiz, and after leaving Binghamton 
she filled a high position in the Packer Collegiate institute, of Brooklyn. 
Miss Cook's French teacher was Madame Peugos, a woman of finely 
cultured literary talents. 

Among the many other private and select schools' which at one time 
and another had an existence in the village, mention may be made of 
the larger and more prominent. In 1841 John J. Millen, A. M., was 
principal of what was then known as the Binghamton Academical 
school. It was a boys' school and had only a brief existence. Benja- 
min N. Loomis, afterwards Judge Loomis, was an early successful 
teacher in the village. De Witt C. Vosbury was another early teacher 
in this class of schools, and was regarded as one of the most competent 
school masters of his time. It is understood that his work here began 
in the district schools, after which he taught independent of trustee 

1 At one time in the early history of the village an academic school was opened on Wash- 
ington street, very near the present residence of Dr. Moore. In allusion to this fact the thorough- 
fare was originally called Academy street. Rev. Wm. T. Doubleday has an indistinct recollec- 
tion of this old school. 
15 



226 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

supervision. About 1859 or '60 he opened the " Eclectic," in a build- 
ing formerly occupied for hotel purposes, which stood on the lot where- 
on is now the Mandeville residence on Court street. The school was 
liberally patronized by the people in the eastern part of the village. 
George Bartlett, who is best remembered as a leading member of the 
county bar, once taught a boys' school in Binghamton. For a time 
Miss Bowers conducted a select school at the corner of Chenango and 
Henry streets, where the Johnson building now stands. Later on Miss 
Park taught in the same place and had a larger school than her prede- 
cessor. At the west end of the Chenango bridge, about in the rear of 
the site now occupied by the West building, Adaline Mcintosh taught a 
private school for children. It was continued several years. About 
the same time (1850) Mrs. Backus taught a small school in a room on 
Front street. Mrs. Stevens had a school for children on upper Court 
street. Mrs. Mantz taught in the same locality and also in her dwell- 
ing on Stuyvesant street. She was one of the most capable teachers 
for children in the village and possessed the fortunate faculty of con- 
trolling her pupils without recourse to the " switch." She also taught 
many years in the public schools, and her work always gave good re- 
sults. Miss Pamelia Peterson was another old teacher in village days, 
and kept a little school in her house at the corner of Court and Fayette 
streets. Still another school worthy of mention was that taught by 
Mrs. Shipman, on Hawley street. 

These schools were in existence previous to 1860, and some of them 
at least fifteen or twenty years earlier. They were easily established, 
the chief requirements being a few desks and benches, a blackboard 
and perhaps a good rule or a stout switch. Parents furnished the 
books, and occasionally two or more authors' editions of arithmetic, 
spelling-books and readers would be found in the school room. This 
made no difference as the teacher was prepared for any emergency, 
and as long as the tuition bills were promptly paid a rudimentary edu- 
cation was always assured. 

But at length the village emerged from its primitive condition and 
assumed a position of importance among the municipalities of the 
region ; and with its gradual growth in population and business interests 
the old institutions were swept aside and were replaced with others 
more modern, advanced and complete. So it was with the private and 
select schools. They filled a place for a time, and while a few of them, 
as we have noted, were of excellent standing, the majority were of a 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 



227 



transient character and quickly vanished before the improved methods 
of the district schools, and particularly of the free school system. 

The Binghamton Academy ^sls undoubtedly the most substantial of 
the early educational institutions of the village, and continued in exist- 
ence in its original form for a period of twenty years. The founders 
evidently did not avail themselves of a special act of the legislature, 




Binghamton Academy. 

neither were they incorporated by articles of association. However, 
during the years 1841 and 1843 they perfected an organization and 
erected a large three-story brick academy building on the site now oc- 
cupied by the county clerk's office. The school was opened June 1, 
1842, and was incorporated under the regents of the university on 
August 23, following. The founders and controlling spirits of the m- 
stitution were Daniel S. Dickinson, John Clapp, Myron Merrill, Sam- 



^ 



328 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

uel H. P. Hall, Oliver Ely, Elias Hawley, Christopher Eldredge, 
Barzilla Marvin, and the Revs. E. Andrews, D. D. Gregory, S. W. 
Bush, T. A. Stanton and Robert Baird. 

These worthy and public-spirited citizens comprised the board of 
trustees, and through their enterprise the academy was brought into 
active operation. The trustees did not acquire title to the land on 
which the academy was erected but were tenants by sufferance of the 
supervisors of the county. They expended several thousand dollars in 
erecting the building and improving its surroundings, yet within the 
next twenty years the supervisors called upon them to vacate the prem- 
ises. This somewhat peremptory demand was refused and litigation 
followed. In 1861 the trustees transferred the academic interests in 
the institution to the then recently established village board of educa- 
tion, but the suit was prosecuted to judgment. The trustees appealed 
to the General Term, and the judgment of the lower court was 
affirmed. Then the academy was doomed to destruction, but through 
the courtesy of the supervisors, the board of education was permitted 
to occupy the building until a new location could be found. 

The academy was formally opened June 1, 1842, under the principal- 
ship of Prof. S. H. Wilson, with Mrs. Wilson in charge of the female 
department. According to the trustees' advertisement, the institution 
offered a thorough English and classical course of study, at tuition rates 
varying from $3 per term of fifteen weeks in the primary department to 
$5 per term in the department devoted to Latin and Greek, natural, 
mental and moral philosophy, chemistry, botany, mathematics, astron- 
omy and rhetoric. In addition to the regular course of study the 
academy faculty offered a special class for the instruction of pupils who 
intended to make teaching a profession. 

Prof. Wilson is remembered as a thorough and capable teacher, and 
soon gave the institution a standing of prominence among the academic 
schools of the state. Just how long he retained his position is not now 
known, but in 1846 Prof. E. M. RoUo was principal and William A. 
Niles assistant. The other teachers at the time were Miss M. A. 
Hinckley, preceptress, and Mary A. McCrea, assistant ; N. S. Davis, 
lecturer on chemistry and physiology; Mrs. J. C. Robie, teacher of 
music. Myron Merrill was then the president and Barzilla Marvin 
secretary of the board of trustees. 

In 1847 Prof. Rollo was still principal, with the following assistants : 
Levi Tenny, teacher of languages; Hannah Hinckley, preceptress; 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. ^29 

Juliet Gardner, teacher of primary department, and Mrs. Robie, teacher 
of piano and music. 

The almost entire absence of reliable records deprives us of much in- 
teresting information concerning this once famous institution, but from 
the repeated expressions of old pupils' the fact is well known that the 
school was well patronized and well supported; yet for some cause as a 
financial venture it was not specially profitable to the stockholders. It 
was regularly and continuously maintained and offered better opportu- 
nities for a thorough education than any institution of its class in the 
south part of the state. Soon after 1850 the trustees of the several dis- 
tricts comprising the village increased the facilities of their respective 
schools, and thereby naturally drew many pupils from the academj'. 
It is said that between 1845 and 1850 the rolls frequently showed as 
many as 250 pupils in attendance; ten years later the number had de- 
creased from thirty to forty per cent. In 1856 and 1857 Frederick S. 
Lyon was principal. He was followed by De Witt C. Vosbury, the 
veteran teacher, who was in turn succeeded by Rodman Lewis, he be- 
ing the last principal under the trustees' management. On October 6, 
18G1, the board of education of the union free schools of the village ac- 
cepted a proposition of the academy trustees and transferred the school 
to the jurisdiction of the then newly created system. 

Soon after this time the people were seriously discussing the question 
of a high school, but sentiment was divided on the subject of location. 
The sites most strongly favored were the Castle lot on Court street and 
the Wells property on Main street. To determine this question, and 
the equally important proposition to bond the village to the extent of 
nearly $45,p00 for both site and building, a special election was held in 
1866. The advocates of the Main street site were successful at the polls 
but the bonding proposition was defeated; and with the result the 
whole scheme failed. In 1867 the academy pupils occupied temporary 
quarters in Brigham Hall, and in the same year the old building on the 
square was razed to the ground. For about three years the academic 
pupils also occupied the east wing of the Pine street school building, 

' In the possession of Charles S. Hall the writer found the academy catalogue for the year 
ending December 3, 184(3. At that time the trustees were Myron Merrill, president; John Clapp, 
secretary ; John C. Moore, treasurer, and Gilbert Tompkins, Christopher Eldredge, Elias Hawley, 
Silas West, Hazard Lewis, Samuel H. P. Hall. Vincent Whitney, Levi Dimmick, Wm. M. Patter- 
son, Benjamin N. Loomis, Jason R. Orton and Barzilla Marvin. Among the pupils then attend- 
ing the academy were William A. and Joseph J. Bartlett, Butler Bixby, Pelatiah Brooks, James 
S. Gary, Cyrus S. Clapp, Luke Dickson, Walton Dwight, Wm. B. and Theodore P. Stow, Wm. J. 
Waterman, James L. Weed and Wm. W. Wentz. 



230 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

but before the final completion of the B. C. H. S. building they were 
temporarily quartered in Firemen's hall. 

TJie Susquehanna Seminary was founded in 1854 by the Wyoming 
conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, with the intention to 
make it a purely denominational institution. This was a somewhat 
hazardous undertaking at the time, but regardless of the doubts ex- 
pressed in many quarters, the promoters of the enterprise erected the 
large and attractive seminary building which still stands fronting on 
Chestnut street. The structure is 161 feet long and four stories high. 
It was opened for school purposes in the year mentioned and began its 
career with a gratifying attendance; but notwithstanding its early suc- 
cess the end of the seventh year found the institution hopelessly incum- 
bered with debt. In 1858 the school was closed, after which the build- 
ing was unoccupied several years. In 1867 it was repaired and refitted 
at the expense of the state, with the intention of occupying it as an in- 
stitution for the blind. This, however, was not done, and soon after- 
ward the property passed into the hands of a Mr. Place, a man of 
means, influence and commendable ambition, who designed founding 
an institution under the name of Place college, for the advanced educa- 
tion of young ladies. A part of Mr. Place's plans were carried out, but 
the hoped-for success and permanency of the institution were not real- 
ized. After a fair attempt at 'establishing a successful school Mr. Place 
was obliged to close the doors, soon after v/hich the building passed 
into the control of the board of managers of the Susquehanna Valley 
home. The location was vacated for the present home property in 
1871. 

In 1872 Dean vSmith purchased the seminary property and founded 
Dean college, an institution devoted to the education of young ladies. 
Mr. Smith himself was the head of the school and was assisted by his 
wife and daughters as teachers. As a corps of instructors the mem- 
bers of the family were exceedingly well equipped for their work, but 
the institution failed to secure a permanent foothold, owing undoubt- 
edly to the constantly increasing efficiency of the city schools, and espe- 
cially to the high standing then attained by the Central High school. Mr. 
Smith became heavily involved in debt, but struggled nobly against 
adversity until his death, in 1877. Rev. Robert A. Patterson, who mar- 
ried with the daughter of Mr. Smith, next assumed charge of the college 
and continued it with indifferent success until 1880, when the building 
was vacated and closed. The property soon afterward passed into the 
control of the trustees of St. Mary's Catholic orphan asylum. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 231 

THE UNION FREE SCHOOLS. 

By chapter 322 of the laws of 1861, passed April 19, it was provided 
that the several wards of the village of Binghamton should form one 
school district, to be known as the " Union School District of the Vil- 
lage of Binghamton ; " and further, that said district should constitute 
five subdivisions to be called " commissioner districts, " each of which 
was to remain separate and distinct for the purposes and to the extent 
mentioned in the act. The First ward was declared to be the first com- 
missioner district; the 2d and 3d wards the second district; the 4th 
ward the third district; the 5th ward the fourth district; and the 6th 
ward the fifth district. 

The act designated Daniel S. Dickinson as commissioner for district 
No. 1; Horace S. Griswold for No. 2; Hallam E. Pratt for No. 3; Joel 
Fuller for No. 4, and William S. Beard for No. 5. It was also provided 
that within fifteen days after the passage of the act the board of trustees 
should appoint four persons to act as school commissioners in behalf of 
the union district thereby established. The district commissioners 
previously mentioned, with the appointees of the village trustees, were 
declared to be a body corporate by the name of the " Board of Educa- 
tion of the Village of Binghamton. " 

A subsequent section of the act provided that on the second Tuesday 
in October, 1861, there should be elected one commissioner in each 
commissioner district (resident therein) to fill the places of the persons 
above designated as commissioners; and that on the Monday preceding 
the second Tuesday in October, the village trustees should appoint four 
persons to be commissioners in place of those appointed within fifteen 
days after the act went into effect. "Annually thereafter, on the sec- 
ond Tuesday in October," said the act, "there shall be elected five 
commissioners for the commissioner districts, and two commissioners 
shall be appointed by the trustees for the union district, to fill the 
places of those whose terms shall next expire." 

The act also provided that the commissioners elected in the several 
districts should hold office for one year from the second Tuesday in 
October. The commissioners appointed by the board of trustees were 
divided into two classes, and were directed to meet and determine by 
lot which of their number should serve for one year and which for two 
years. The trustees were authorized to fill any vacancies in the board 
of education. 



232 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

This somewhat peculiarly constituted board was authorized to elect a 
president, secretary and librarian, and the village trustees w^ere like- 
wise authorized to raise by tax such sums of money as the board of 
education should certify to be necessary for the maintenance of the 
public schools. The board of education was also authorized to estab- 
lish such and so many schools in the union district (including the com- 
mon schools then existing, and also including one academic high school) 
as they might deem expedient. The board was directed to report to 
the school commissioners of the Western district of the county, between 
the 1st and 15th days of October annually, the number of school houses 
and a description of all common schools within the union district; also 
the number of children taught, and the amount of money received by 
the treasurer of the village during the preceding year. 

"Whenever in the opinion of the board," said the act, "it shall be 
advisable to establish a high school or academy in connection with the 
union school system, the said board of education shall report an esti- 
mate of the cost thereof to the village trustees, upon which the ques- 
tion shall be submitted to the taxpayers for determination." The 
trustees of Binghamton academy were authorized to transfer to the 
board of education all their title and interest in real and personal prop- 
erty for the purposes of an academic or high school in connection with 
the general free school system contemplated by the act. The title to 
all school property was declared to be vested in the village. The sev- 
eral members of the board of education were declared to be trustees of 
the library. The board was also authorized to cause a separate school 
for colored children to be taught in the union district, and also author- 
ized, whenever deemed expedient, to appoint a superintendent of public 
schools. 

The act of April 19, 1861, was amended by an act passed April 25, 

1864. Under the latter the term of office of all commissioners ap- 
pointed by the village trustees was to end on the first Tuesday in 
October following, and on the third Tuesday in vSeptember the inhab- 
itants were directed to elect one commissioner in each district in the 
same manner that district commissioners were elected. The district 
commissioners then serving were continued in office until October 1, 

1865, but annually thereafter on the third Tuesday in September their 
successors were to be elected. Each commissioner was to hold office 
two years. 

On April 32, 1861, in accordance with the act establishing the 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 233 

union school district, the village trustees appointed Myron Merrill, Dr. 
George Burr, Benjamin N. Loomis and William Sprague as commis- 
sioners to represent the union district; and they, with the district com- 
missioners designated in the original act, constituted the first board of 
education. It is doubtful if ever in the history of the village or city a 
stronger body of men has been chosen to represent any department of 
local government. The composition and arrangement of the board was 
both novel and interesting. The elective commissioners were chosen 
as the immediate representatives of the several districts, while the ap- 
pointive commissioners were intended to represent the union district 
generally. To fully appreciate this unusual situation some knowledge 
of the then existing conditions is necessary. 

At that time the village comprised parts of six school districts, each 
of which was under control of one, two or three trustees elected in the 
district. The districts were not in any manner connected with each 
other, and it frequently happened that two or three sets of text books 
were in use in schools within the village limits. Families living in one 
district would provide their children with a set of books used in the 
school, but on removing to another district, as frequently happened, an 
entirely different set of books would be found in use. This condition 
led to much confusion, as parents could not afford to purchase the works 
of all authors. At one time representatives of the several districts at- 
tempted to remedy the existing evil and adopt a uniform set of text 
books for all the village schools. The matter, however, was not satis- 
factorily settled, and the old nuisance was maintained until the adop- 
tion of the union system. 

When the consolidation was effected there were certain outstanding 
debts and other matters of importance to be settled between the school 
districts previously existing and the board of education. The elected 
commissioners in each of the commissioner districts were presumed to 
represent to a certain extent the interests of the district from which each 
was chosen, and in the same manner the commissioners appointed by 
the village trustees were supposed to represent the union district in 
the councils of the board of education. It nowhere appears that any 
dispute arose regarding the adjustment of accounts, and entire har- 
mony characterized the proceedings of the board. 

The school property that came under control of the board of educa- 
tion by virtue of the act of 1861 may be briefly described in this con- 
nection; and incidentally many interesting facts of history may be 
mentioned. 



234 



BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 



School No. /, corner of Oak and North streets. — This is the property 
mentioned in a preceding- paragraph as having been conveyed to the 
trustees of district No. 12 by Mr. Collier in 1834. A small school 
house was standing on the lot in 1861. Subsequent material additions 
were made to the building in 1867, at a cost of $2,000, and again 
1886 (a three-story brick addition), at a cost of $10,123. 

School Nos. 2 and j, corner of Washington and Hawley streets. — 
The date of erection of the one-story brick building on the lot given by 
General Whitney to the trustees of school district No. 3 in 1813, is not 
now known. In arranging the numbers in 1861 this school was desig- 
nated as Nos. 2 and 3, from the fact that the building was the only 







Oak Street School. 

school house in wards two and three. Later on the "3" was discon- 
tinued and was given to the Robinson Street school. In 1879 the old 
building on the Washington street lot was removed, and in its place 
was erected the present large three-story structure, at a cost of $12,374. 
From 1880 to 1889 the offices of the board of education and superin- 
tendent of schools were in the Washington street building, but in the 
year last mentioned were removed to the municipal building on Collier 
street. The city school library is also kept in school house No. 2. 

School No. ./, corner of Pine and Fayette streets.— The first school 
house in this district (No. 3, of the town of Chenango,) stood on Pine 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 235 

Street, about three lots west of the corner of Fayette. On December 4 
1851, trustees Tracy R. Morgan, William E. Abbott and Samuel w'. 
Rogers bought of Stephen Hoag the northeast corner lot, and in 1852 
erected a one-story brick school house. D. C. Vosbury was the first 
principal of the school, and was followed by W. W. Elliott and Milo B. 
Eldredge, in the order mentioned. Colonel Eldredge was the last prin- 
cipal under the old district system. Thomas J. Clark was sole trustee 
of the district in 1859-60, and through his efforts the school was made 
self-sustaining without the collection of a single rate bill. In this re- 
spect district No. 3 stood alone in the' village. Under the board of 
education a considerable addition was made to the building in 1867. 
Subsequent additions were made in 1870, at a cost of $13,510, and 
again in 1897, at a cost of $4,936. 

School No. 5, corner of Carroll and Whitney streets. — The original 
school house in the so called Millville district stood on a rear lot on the 
south side of Susquehanna street, a little east of Exchange street. A 
lane led to the school house from Susquehanna street, and continued to 
the river bank. In 1833 Henry Beckman sold to Bildad Gleason, Justus 
Wentz and Ansel Andrus, as trustees of school district No. 29, of the 
town of Chenango, the land on which the school house was built. The 
building was erected in 1834, and Delilah Wentz, daughter of William 
Wentz, was one of the first teachers in that location. About 1840 the 
building was removed to a lot on Whitney street, about on the site of 
the box factory. In 1851 Uriah M. Stowers sold to the trustees of the 
district (then No. 2) a lot at the southeast corner of Carroll and Whit- 
ney streets, and on this site a new school house was built in 1851 or 
1852. It was a large two-story frame building and one of the best 
school houses in the village at that time. Charlotte Burghardt (now 
wife of John E. Wentz) taught school in the old building on Whitney 
street, and was the first teacher in the new school on the corner. John 
P. Worthing and William M. Crosby were later teachers there. After 
the village schools came under the supervision of the board of educa- 
tion the lands surrounding the school lot were enlarged by purchases 
from Collins Brown, Daniel L. Brainard and Martin Stone. With one 
of these purchases the board acquired a dwelling which was fitted up 
for temporary school purposes. Both buildings were removed in 1871, 
and were replaced with a large brick school house, which cost $17,400. 
A material addition was made to the building in 1897, at a cost of 
$4,387. 



336 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT. 

School No. 6, New street. — One of the first school houses on the city 
tract south of the Susquehanna river was that on the Moore farm, to 
which reference has been made. It was used as a school until about 
the time the village boundaries were extended south of the river, when 
by reason of the increasing settlement in the locality commonly called 
" Brighamville " (in allusion to Elmer W. Brigham and his extensive 
brick-yard, which occupied nearly all the lands between De Russey and 
Mary streets, south of Vestal avenue) a more centrally located school 
became necessary. In 1853 Joseph Beard, Elmer W. Brigham and 
Chester Rood, trustees of school district No. 29, of Chenango, purchased 
from Henry Coolidge a lot on the east side of Mary street, on which 
lot a school house was built during that year. It was a little frame 
building, sufficient perhaps for the time, but soon became too small for 
the rapidly increasing population of the district. The building was oc- 
cupied under the union school system until 1867, when the board of 
education purchased from Epenetus Piatt the present school lot on 
New street. In the same year the board appropriated $3,000 for the 
erection of a school house 27x42 feet in size, two stories high, in all re- 
spects similar to that previously built for the Robinson street school. 
Considerable additions to the New street building were made in 1878, 
at a cost of $2,870; in 1887, at a cost of $7,000, and in 1891, at a cost of 
$2,189. 

School A^o. 7, Alfred street. — One of the earliest school houses in 
this part of the town of Chenango was that built about 1822 on a part 
of the lot where now stands Columbus Stevens' residence. It was a log 
building and was used about fifteen years, when a frame school house 
was built near Pierce creek. The latter came into possession of the 
city a few years ago. It appears that the center of population in this 
part of the town was farther west than the Pierce Creek school. There- 
fore in 1859 trustees Samuel J. Olmsted, John W. Burnett and Abram 
R. Coles purchased from Horatio Evans a lot on Alfred street. In the 
same year Columbus Stevens built a one-story brick school house on 
the lot. Two years later the school was transferred to the union sys- 
tem of the village. In 1873 the board purchased an additional lot from 
Mr. Evans, and in 1875 the school building was enlarged, at an expense 
of $3,740. Later additions were made in 1889, at a cost of $5,194, and 
in 1892, at a cost of $5,490. 

The preceding brief description of district school property gives the 
reader an idea of the physical character of the schools of the village 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 237 

when the old system merged into the new in 1861. The only other 
school which is not particularly described was that maintained for the 
benefit of colored children. It was generally located in the vicinity of 
Whitney street between Carroll and Fayette streets, a neighborhood 
usually called " Guinea Hill." This school was not regularly supplied 
with a teacher, and of course was not under the supervision of district 
trustees. The only allusion to the colored school found in any village 
record previous to 1861 is in the proceedings of the village trustees. 
On May 7, 1847, Edward C. Kattel and Erasmus D. Robinson were ap- 
pointed a committee to obtain from the state the sum of money to 
which the village was entitled under the provisions of the act then re- 
cently passed for the support of schools for colored children. In 1861 
the board of education made more adequate provision for the colored 
school, as will be seen by reference to later pages of this chapter. 

The personnel of the board of education in 1861 is given on a preced- 
ing page. The first meeting of the board was held April 23, at the law 
office of Judge Griswold. Benjamin N. Loomis was chosen chairman, 
and Hallam E. Pratt, secretary. Daniel S. Dickinson was elected 
president of the board, and continued in the office until October follow- 
ing, although much of the time he was out of the village in connection 
with his active political career, which at that time was at its zenith. 

One of the first proceedings of the board was to serve formal notice 
on the trustees of the various school districts in the village, demanding 
possession of the school property by the first of May following. At this 
meeting Hallam E. Pratt was directed to confer with the Young Men's 
Library association concerning the purchase of their library. This was 
accomplished and the library was placed in charge of W. W. Elliott. 
From this small beginning our present city school library has grown. 

On May 22 the board estimated the probable expense of the schools 
for the following year at $7,469.75, of which amount $4,500 was for 
teachers' wages. The amount was duly certified to the village trustees, 
and by that body was approved and ordered raised in the next tax. The 
trustees generally respected the judgment of the board of education in 
estimating the amount of money necessary for the schools, which fact 
may be proclaimed to their credit; but in later years the common coun- 
cil frequently took upon itself the authority to cut down the annual 
estimate certified as necessary for school maintenance. This practice 
frequently led to embarrassments and retarded the progress of educa- 
tion in the city. 



I 



238 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

The first corps of teachers in the union schools was as follows: 

No. 1, Oak street, Helen A. Shove, primary; Delaphine Stocking, 
junior. 

Nos. 2 and 3, Washington street, J. A. Caster, primary; Elizabeth 
vS. Armstrong, junior. 

No. 4, Pine street, Adeline N. Marvin, primary; Eliza S. Bascom, 
junior; J. F. McCollister, senior. 

No. 5, Millville, H. A. Lockwood, primary; J. A. Robinson, junior; 
Clara A. Ingersoll, senior. 

No. 6, Brighamville, Fanny J. Sparks, primary and junior. 

No. 7, Tompkinsville, Sarah J. Thompson, primary and junior. 

Academic School, A. H. Lewis and Mina S. Bascom, teachers. 

The fact that Prof. Lewis and Miss Bascom were appointed teachers 
in the academic school indicates a determination on the part of the 
board to establish such a department previous to the actual transfer of 
the Binghamton academy. The appointment of teachers above noted 
was made May 22, 1861, and the proposition of the academy trustees to 
the board of education was made July 1, following. The proposition 
was accepted August 6, and the transfer was made soon afterward. 

On June 12 the board adopted a code of by-laws and, among other 
things, made provision for the appointment of a president, superintend- 
ent of schools, secretary and librarian ; also for the regular classifica- 
tion of pupils in grades; also for a "university " or partial course for 
pupils whose age or circumstances prevented a regular course of study ; 
also for a teachers' class, in which instruction was to be given "in the 
science of teaching." Under the by-laws the schools were regularly 
designated as primary, junior, senior and academic. 

School No. J, Robinson street. — On September 20, 1861, a petition 
signed by thirty-nine residents of that part of the village lying north 
of the railroad asking for a separate school in that vicinity, was pre- 
sented to the board. In answer to the petition the board sought to 
have the Harmony Retreat seminary (which was then under charge of 
the Misses Marsh) transferred to the jurisdiction of the union system; 
but as the seminary was maintained in a building in which the Misses 
Marsh held title only during the lifetime of the widow of Norman 
Marsh, the arrangement was not made. On December 2 following, the 
board rented a building on Pearne street and at once prepared it for 
temporary school purposes. It was soon afterwards opened as school 
No. 3, upon which the " 3 " was dropped from the previous designa- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 239 

tion of the Washington Street school. In 1867 the board purchased 
two lots on Robinson street, and leased a third lot with an option of 
purchase. On this land a two-story brick building, 27 x 42 feet in size, 
was at once erected, at a cost of $2,500. Subsequent additions were 
made to the building in 1873, at a cost of $3,485; in 1888, at a cost of 
$2,800, and in 1898, at a cost of $4,885. 

School No. 8, Hawley street. — In November, 1861, the board rented 
from William E. Abbott a small dwelling house on Hawley street, be- 
tween Jay and Fayette streets, which was fitted up as a school for 
colored children. The school was afterward maintained under the 
supervision of the board until about 1872 or 1873, when its pupils were 
assigned to the several regular schools of the city. In 1879 a petition 
signed by many colored citizens was presented to the board, asking 
that the school on Hawley street be discontinued, and the children be 
permitted to attend the general schools. The request, however, was 
refused, as the majority of the white population was not then fully 
prepared to abolish the "color line." The "colored school," as it 
was called, stood on the site of Abraham De Witt's residence. 

In May, 1862, the board passed a resolution by which the sum of $40 
per month was to be paid for the support of "the school on Le Roy 
street." This of course was St. James' parochial school, a purely sec- 
tarian institution, yet one of the best schools in the village at that 
time. The resolution provided for payment during the pleasure of the 
board, and the event was the occasion of much comment and some ad- 
verse criticism in educational circles. The board itself wrestled with 
the subject several days, but finally the resolution was adopted. Just 
how long the payments were continued is not now clear, but the appro- 
priations soon ceased. 

David H. Cruttenden was appointed superintendent of schools April 
23, 1861. This certainly was a most fortunate selection, as Prof. 
Cruttenden possessed the essential qualities of teacher, organizer and 
disciplinarian. He came a stranger to the village, and found the 
schools in a state of utter disorganization, but in the course of a few 
months order followed chaos and a systematic course of operation was 
established. The superintendent himself was a man of excellent edu- 
cation, and although a part of his time was devoted to teaching, he 
almost daily visited the schools and kept the machinery of the new 
system in regular operation. Prof. Cruttenden was the author of sev- 
eral text works on educational subjects, among them being Cruttenden's 



1 



240 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

arithmetic and Cruttenden's language, both of which were used in our 
schools with good results. He was also a superior teacher of the 
classics, and in chemistry he appeared especially strong. As a disciplin- 
arian his superior was never connected with our public school system, 
and a single glance from under those long, bushy eyebrows was suffi- 
cient to subdue the most refractory pupil without recourse to the whip. 
Still, if occasion demanded Prof. Cruttenden could apply the beech rod 
with decidedly impressive effect. In 18G4 the superintendent resigned, 
being impelled to that course by broken health and a desire to resume 
institute work in which he had previously engaged. He had a natural 
taste for agricultural pursuits, and that, too, influenced his action in 
retiring from our public schools. 

Henry T. Funnell succeeded to the superintendency in February, 1864. 
He was formerly principal of the Millville school; a slight, nervous 
and impulsive man, possessed of good educational capacity, yet was 
better at the head of a school than of a system . 

George Jackson succeeded Mr. Funnell as superintendent in October, 
186G, and served in that capacity until April, 1867. When Prof. Jack- 
son came to Binghamton the union school system was well established, 
and during his term little else was sought to be accomplished than to 
keep the machinery in economical operation. This policy met with the 
approval of several members of the board and also of an influential 
minority of the taxpayers. However, it was not through any fault in 
Prof. Jackson that local educational facilities were not increased during 
his term, but rather the fault of a certain element of our taxpaying 
population. Prof. Jackson was the opposite of Prof. Funnell in per- 
sonal characteristics, and is remembered as a quiet and conservative 
officer, an instructor rather than organizer, and possessing all the dis- 
tinguishing traits of the thorough Cazenovia seminarian. He was suc- 
ceeded in April, 1867, by Norman F. Wright. 

Under the superintendents mentioned in the preceding paragraphs 
the first six years of history of our public schools passed without re- 
markable incident. It was found a somewhat difficult task to convert 
the people of the village to the new methods and to abandon the old 
fixed ideas of school economy. The annual appropriations for school 
purposes contemplated only the payment of teachers salaries and other 
incidental expenses of maintenance without more than $1,000 annually 
for sites, buildings and repairs. The village trustees approved of the 
estimates submitted by the board of education, but when a proposition 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 241 

to build was presented the taxpayers made a vigorous protest. At 
length Thomas J. Clark was elected member of the board, and at once 
set to work to secure a large building fund. He prepared an amend- 
ment to the school act, and placed the proposed bill in the hands of 
Orlow W. Chapman, who was then in the senate. Mr. Chapman de- 
clared that the people would never sanction the measure, whereupon 
Mr. Clark reinforced the proposition with the written approval of about 
250 of the largest taxpayers. The amendment was then secured, and 
the board of education was allowed $10,000 for building and extension 
purposes instead of $1,000 as in previous years. Then began a new 
era in our school history, and from that time the cause of education 
was advanced beyond the fondest expectations of its most zealous ad- 
vocates. 

The benefits derived from the increased appropriations for sites and 
buildings were clearly shown in the report of the committee on build- 
ings, sites and repairs, (Thomas J. Clark, Jabez F. Rice and Frederick 
Lewis) from which the following is an extract, viz. : " The additions 
made during the year (1867) will comfortably accommodate about 450 
pupils. This is partly neutralized by the demolition of the academy 
and the change in the Fifth ward. The number of pupils in the city, 
as shown by the enumeration taken in October last, is 3,076. The 
entire school buildings belonging to the city will seat, on the ' packing ' 
principle necessarily adopted, from 1,300 to 1,400 pupils. To account 
for the extraordinary disparity between the number of pupils and the 
school accommodations it is only necessary to recollect that for nearly 
fifteen years up to the current year no additions have been made to the 
school property, while the business and population of the city have 
more than doubled." 

In this connection it is also interesting to note the number of pupils 
on the rolls in the several districts as shown by the superintendent's 
report for the week ending February 21, 1868, viz. : In the Central 
school, 93; district No. 1, 253; district No. 2, 126; district No. 3, 99; 
district No. 4, 283; district No. 5, 349; district No. 6, 86; district No. 
7, 35; district No. 8, colored school, 59. 

For a period of about fifteen years following 1868 the attendance at 
the public schools increased proportionately with the general growth of 
the city, yet during that time no special effort was made to increase the 
number of schools (except the erection of the Central High school 
building), or to extend the system beyond the limits then existing. 

IG 



242 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

However, during- the p^iod mentioned many and material additions 
were made to the school buildings, thus mcreasing their seating capac- 
ity several fold. In 1870 an application was made to the board by the 
managers of the Susquehanna Valley Home, asking that the school 
connected with that institution be taken under the city system. This 
was afterward done, and while the Home school derives benefits from 
the general city system, the board of education is not charged with the 
expenses of maintenance. This school will be further mentioned in 
connection with the history of the Home. 

In 1874 the board made a careful estimate of the value of school 
property within its jurisdiction, as follows : Binghamton Central High 
school, $07,205.10; No. 1, Oak Street, $18,155; No. 2, Washington 
Street, $7,985; No. 3, Robinson Street, $15,058; No. 4, Pine Street, 
$31,464; No. 5, Carroll Street, $30,537; No. 6, Brighamville, $7,906; 
No. 7, Tompkinsville, $2,475. Total valuation, $211,545.10. 

The original compulsory education act was passed by the legislature 
May 11, 1874, yet there was no determined effort to enforce its provis- 
ion previous to 1882; and then the attempt was so weak that the law 
was of no special benefit so far as it related to our city schools. The 
act of May 12, 1894, proved far more beneficial, as the enforced 
appointment of a truant officer furnished the means of informing the 
board of violations and evasions of the law. However, it is not deemed 
important to this chapter to refer at length to the provisions of the 
compulsory act, or to the proceedings of the board in enforcing the law 
in this city, other than to mention the fact that in 1894 a truant school 
was opened in the Large building on Oak street. 

School No. p, Clinton street. — In 1884' the board purchased the land 
on which the school house in this district was built. Previous to the 
year mentioned that portion of the city north of the railroad on the 
west side of the Chenango river had no public school, and the creation 
of a new district was a necessity. The school building was erected in 
1884, and cost $6,737. It was the first of the thoroughly modern school 
buildings of the city. 

School No. 10, Laurel Avenue. — The land on which this splendid 
modern building is erected was purchased from Horatio R. Clarke, 
George Gary and Edward S. Gary, June 1, 1889, for the sum of $2,100. 
(Marcus W. Scott and wife also quit-claimed to the city their interest 

• The land was purchased of William H. Van Vorst. The deed was dated lune 2, 1S84 ; con- 
sideration, $1,800. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 



243 



in certain lots in Gary Place by deed dated June 17, 1889.) The school 
house was built during the same year, and cost $13,679. It is a large 




three-story brick structure, modern in design and construction and an 
ornament both to the district and the city. 



244 



BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 



School No. II, Bevier Street. — In this immediate locality, in which 
pioneer Bevier settled more than a himdred years ago, a log school- 




house was built previous to the beginning of the century; and from 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 245 

that to the present time a school has generally been maintained in the 
vicinity. A district was formed in this part of Chenango soon after 
1813, and continued under the old system until it was absorbed by the 
city. On August 1, 1890, H. L. Smith, sole trustee of district No. 3, 
town of Binghamton, conveyed the Bevier street school property to the 
city, the consideration expressed in the deed being $73. 32. The area 
of the plot was increased by the purchase of adjoining lots, and the 
property is now one of the best for school purposes in the city. The 
present building, a large commodious two-story brick structure, was 
erected in 1890, at a cost of $16,726.90. 

School No. 8, Helen Street. — This was one of the school properties 
which came to the city with the extension of the limits in 1890.' The 
land was conveyed to the trustees of joint district No. 2, of the towns 
of Binghamton and Union, by Dr. John G. Orton, by deed dated De- 
cember 14, 1878, and for nominal consideration. A small two-story brick 
and frame school house was built on the land, and was occupied for 
district purposes until 1890, when it was taken into the city. In ad- 
justing accounts the city paid the town $3,750 for the property. In 
renumbering the schools in 1890 the Helen street property became No. 
8, which number had previously designated one of the Oak street de- 
partments. The lands occupied by present No. 8 school were conveyed 
to the city August 1, 1890, by Albert H. Bixby, sole trustee of district 
No. 2. 

School No. 12, Fairvieiv. — This property, which is still owned by the 
city, though at present unoccupied, was conveyed to the grantee by 
Harlow H. Bisbee, sole trustee of school district No. 8, of the town of 
Binghamton. The school house is a small brick building. The land 
was deeded to the trustees of the district by Emory Truesdell in 1873, 
but was not suited to the purposes of the board of education where- 
upon, on July 1, 1892, a tract of land on Robinson street was purchased 
from Charles B. Piatt, at a cost of $3,000. The present large brick 

' By an amendment to the charter passed April 4, 1890, the boundaries of the city were ex- 
tended to include all the remaining portion of the town of Binghamton which lay north of the 
Susquehanna except the town of Dickinson, and as well a considerable area south of the river. 
At the same time the wards were increased to thirteen in number, and were made to comprise 
seven school commissioner districts. Under the extension of the limits the city acquired, in 
whole or in part, several previously existing town of Binghamton districts. The east end or 
Pierce Creek school was one of these properties, and was deeded to the city July 21, 1890, by Cal- 
vm B. Preston, sole trustee of district No. 13; consideration $1,000. The Pierce Creek school house 
was not used by the board, the town district having been merged in the Alfred street or No. 7 
city district. 



246 



BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 



school house was erected on this land in 1893, and cost $7,797. An ad- 
dition in 1897 cost $6,337. 




School No. ij, Rossvil/c.~Vov several years previous to the erection 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 



247 



of the present Rossville school building a primary school was conducted 
in the Meeker block on Park avenue. On July 21, 1890, the board pur- 



^ 




chased from Burton M. Babcock a large lot of land on Pennsylvania 



248 



BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 



avenue, extending east to Park avenue; [consideration, $1,500, The 
school house was built in 1896, and cost $8,433. It is a large two-story 




and basement brick building, and is well supplied with modern i 
provements. 



m- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 



249 



School No. 14, Jarvis street. — The land on which this school build- 
ing stands was conveyed to the city by deed from Charles M. Jarvis, 




dated August 3, 1894; consideration $3,300. The building was erected 



250 



BINGHAMTON ITS SETTLEMENT, 



the 'same year, and cost $11,377. The Kindergarten addition was built 
in 1898, and cost $346.50. 

School No. /J, Si. John Avenue. — In April, 1894, the board of educa- 
tion purchased on contract the land on which school house No. 15 is 
built. The deed was executed about August 1, 1895, by William E. 
Bray and Austin wS. Bump; consideration $2,000. The school building, 
a large two-story and basement brick structure, was erected in 1896, at 
a cost of $15,958. 




Central High School. 
BINGHAMTON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL. 

The Binghamton Central High school, concededly the highest de- 
partment of the city educational system, and one of the most worthy 
mstitutions of its character in the state, had its inception in the action 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 251 

of the board of education in August, 1861, when the Binghamton acad- 
emy was formally transferred to the board by the trustees of the latter 
corporation. Indeed, the union free school act of April 19, 1861, con- 
templated a high or academic school in connection with the general 
system of the village, yet almost ten years passed before the endeavors 
of the friends and advocates of the measure were fully rewarded. The 
first step in this direction was the transfer of the academy on the Court 
House square, but while the course of study in that building was of an 
approved character within the regulations prescribed by the regents' de- 
partment, the best and fullest results were not attained until the erec- 
tion of the Central High school building; ample in its accommodations 
and complete in its appointments for a full classical preparatory course.' 
Students graduated at the Binghamton Central High school now enter 
any of our colleges and universities without an intermediate preparatory 
course, while those who do not aspire to a college course are well 
equipped for all the ordinary positions of business, social and profes- 
sional life when they are awarded a graduate's diploma. 

Soon after the transfer of the academy to the board of education it 
became evident that a new central school must be provided, and to that 
end the authorities began preparations. For a few years the subject 
was one of discussion only, but on April 20, 1866, in pursuance of leg- 
islative authority granted therefor, the taxpayers voted on a proposition 
to appropriate $43,395 for the construction of a large academic building. 
The measure, unfortunately, was defeated at the polls by a vote of 315 
against and 157 for the special tax. Three years afterward, under the 
act of April 14, 1869, the taxpayers not only approved of a similar 
proposition, but voted $75,000 for a high school building. Commis- 
sioners Elijah F, Bloomer, Dr. John G. Orton and William E. Knight 
were directed to secure plans and specifications for a suitable modern 
building, and November of the same year (1869) the Prendergast lot on 
Main street was purchased. Other lands were acquired from J. Stuart 
Wells and other adjoining owners, thus providing ample grounds for 
the proposed building. The Way property was purchased at a Liter 
date, and extended the school lands to the open alley leading from Oak 
street to the " Large " building. 

On June 28, 1870, the contract for erecting the high school building 
was awarded to William Hanlon, for the sum of $63,000. The contract, 
however, was soon afterward transferred to William H. Stillwell, by 
whom the structure was in fact built during the years 1871-72. The 



252 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT. 

completed building-, including furnishings, cost $100,000. It is a large 
three-storied brick structure, with mansard roof, attractive from an 
architectural point of view, yet devoid of elaboration in that respect. 
It was sufficient for the time, and in its proportions contemplated a con- 
siderable growth in the city without crowding its capacity; now it is 
outgrown, and an additional building to comfortably seat the high 
school pupils must soon be provided by the board of education.' 

The first principal of the B. C. H. S. was Prof. Edward S. Frisbee," 
who was appointed to that position January 4, 1872. This mention, 
however, suggests the propriety of the succession of principals from 
the time the academy was founded under the board of education in 
18G1. The succession is as follows: 

Principals .—T>Q.v\di H. Cruttenden, April 23, 1861-February 1, 1864; 
Henry T. Funnell, February 8, 1864-66; George Jackson, October 1866- 
67; Norman F. Wright, April 29, 1867-January 4, 1869;' George Jack- 
son, appointed March 7, 1870; O. B. Bruce, appointed acting principal 
April 6, 1870; Edward S. Frisbee, January 4, 1872-resigned August 
30, 1875; R. B. Clarke, 1875-76; Charles A. Fowler, appointed August 
28, 1876; Eliot R. Payson, appointed July 11, 1879-resigned August 3, 
1891; Charles O. Dewey, August 22, 1891-93; Albert Leonard, 1893- 
98; Samuel G. Landon, 1898—. 

From all that is stated on preceding pages it is evident that "pro- 
gress " has been the constant watchward of the board of education in 
Binghamton from the beginning of the union free school system in 
1861 to the present time. Looking back over this period of almost 
forty years, the person most familiar with our public schools cannot 
but be surprised at the wonderful changes which have taken place and 
the improvements which have been made. The first superintendent of 
schools had at best an insecure foundation upon which to build the su- 

' The completion of Uie high school building in 1872 marked the beginning of a new era in the 
educational system of the city. It was the determination of the board of education to organize 
the high school on a plan of sufficient scope and thoroughness to meet the wants of those who 
sought a comprehensive education, but who did not contemplate a college course. For those who 
did intend to enter college a classical course of study was offered which was second to no pre- 
paratory school either in this state or New England. 

2 In carrying out the determination to establish a high school of superior grade, the board of 
education wisely selected Prof. E. S. Frisbee as principal of the institution. Prof. Frisbee's 
power of organization, accurate scholarship and his wonderful skill in imparting knowledge 
made the school, during the four years of his principalship, one of the be.st preparatory schools 
in the state. 

' The high school principals previous to 1869 were also superintendents of schools, (ieorge 
Jackson, appointed March 7, 1870. was the first regular principal of the high school. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 253 

perstructiire of the permanent system. True, the inhabitants of the 
several school districts consented to the change from the old method to 
the new, but they did little else, and whatever was conceded to the new 
system was given reluctantly. It was a submission to the will of the 
majority, and nothing more; but when a proposition was presented 
contemplating the erection of the new and larger school buildings the 
strength of an influential minority for a time prevailed against the will 
of the majority. At length, however, the work of reconstruction was 
begun, and while the immediate requirements of the school population 
were satisfied, the work of building up and enlarging the general sys- 
tem has continued to the present day; and that work is not yet finished 
notwithstanding the fact that during the last thirty-five years more 
than half a million dollars have been spent in repairing and building 
public schools. 

In 1861 the village contained about 6,000 inhabitants, and the school 
rolls showed 850 pupils. In the next year the census showed 1,862 
children of school age (between 5 and 18 years) living in the village. 
The subsequent increase may be noted about as follows: 1863, 2,663; 
1867, 3,076; 1874, 4,529; 1880, 4,837; 1885, 5,964; 1890, 9,347. In 1870 
the number of children in the city between the ages of 4 and 18 years 
was 7,338.' 

The era of progress in fact began with the year 1867, and the great- 
est strides in advancement in the history of education in Binghamton 
have been made since the village became a city. During these years 
the growth of the city itself has indeed been remarkable, and with each 
advance movement in other departments of municipal government the 
officials charged with the duty of guarding the educational standard 
have held a prominent position in the front rank. 

The first board of education certified to the village trustees that 
$7,469.95 would be required for school support during the following 
year. Of this sum $4,500 was for teachers' wages alone. In 1863 the 
board asked for and received $7,298. In 1867 the sum of $17,000 was 
granted for school maintenance. In 1870 the amount had increased to 
$29,000; in 1875 to $31,000; in 1880 to $35,200; in 1885 to $44,567; in 
1890 to $86,645, including an extension fund of $34,000; in 1895 to 
$90,000; and in 1898 to $116,955. 

> The enumeration of 1897 was regulai-, yet undoubtedly incorrect. In previous years the 
census was made under the immediate supervision of the superintendent of schools, and a con- 
stant increase in number of children of school age was noticeable. In 1897, however, the work 
was done under political direction, and without competent supervision. The result should have 
been an increased rather than decreased school population. 



254 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

As these annual appropriations increased with the growth of the city, 
so, correspondingly, was there an increase in the state moneys recei\^ed 
by the board. For several years $3,000 were apportioned to the city 
schools. In 1872 the amount was $(J,829.42; in 1875 was $8,529.25; in 
1880, $10,020,40; 1885, $11,248.47; 1890, $14,423.09; 1895, $21,007.48; 
anJ in 1899, $25,227.50. The board is entitled to receive from the 
common council for school purposes four andone-half times the amount 
apportioned to the city by the state, and such further sum as the liber- 
ality of the council may suggest, but not exceeding six times the 
amount of state moneys received. It may be stated, however, as an 
historical fact that the council has never exceeded the authorized 
limit. 

As has been mentioned in a preceding paragraph, the board of educa- 
tion during the first few years of its existence, comprised both elective 
and appointive members. In 1864 the appointed branch of the board 
was abolished and all the members were thereafter elected by the peo- 
ple until 1897. During this period the school laws affecting the city 
were frequently amended and the number of commissioners was in- 
creased or diminished as occasion required. This subject, however, 
is not deemed important to the chapter, as the appended list of com- 
missioners shows the years in which the several changes were made. 

By an act of the legislature passed May 22, 1897, school commissioner 
elections were abolished, and in place thereof an appointive system 
was established, the creative power being vested in the mayor. The 
proposed change was bitterly opposed by many of the most earnest 
friends of the schools, while others, equally zealous in promoting the 
cause of education, warmly advocated the change. Despite the oppo- 
sition, the measure became a law; and now, that all the feeling en- 
gendered by the innovation has subsided, it is doubtful if the majority 
of the people would prefer a return to the old custom. 

The personnel of the board of education from 1861 to 1899 is shown 
in the following succession of school commissioners. The succession 
of presidents of the board, superintendents of schools and other otBcers 
connected therewith is also furnished for future use and reference. 

School Commissioners, i86i. — Daniel S. Dickinson, Horace S. Gris- 
wold, Hallam E. Pratt, Joel Fuller, William S. Beard, designated by 
the act of April 19, 1861, as district commissioners; Myron Merrill, 
George Burr, Benjamin N. Loomis and William Sprague, appointed 
April 22 by the village trustees as commissioners of the union district. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 255 

1861, October Election. — Rodney A. Ford, Frederick Lewis, William 
E. Abbott, Sabin McKinney and Silas G. Pierce, elected district com- 
missioners; H. Clay Preston, Tracy R. Morgan (for two years), 
Benjamin N. Loomis, Lewis S. Abbott (for one year) appointed by 
trustees. 

1862.— J. Stuart Wells, Edwin E. Jackson, H. Clay Preston, Nelson 
J. Hopkins, Frederick Lewis, Harry Lyon and Silas G. Pierce, elected 
commissioners; William P. Pope and Harris G. Rodgers, appointed by 
trustees. 

1863. — J. Stuart Wells, Edwin E. Jackson, Frederick Lewis, William 
P. Pope, Sabin McKinney and Silas G. Pierce, elected commissioners: 
H. Clay Preston and Clinton F. Paige, appointed by trustees. 

1864. — J. Stuart Wells, Edwin E. Jackson, Frederick Lewis, William 
P. Pope, Sabin McKinney, Silas G. Pierce, Horace N. Lester, Hallam 

E. Pratt, Stephen D. Hand. 

1865.— Moses T. Morgan, H. Clay Preston, Tracy R. Morgan (re- 
signed May 27, 1867, and Sabin McKinney appointed), Josiah V. Sim- 
mons, Erastus R. Fish. 

1866.— William W. Elliott, H. Clay Preston, Thomas J. Clark, J. 
Frank Rice, John Evans. 

1867.— Moses T. Winton, Frederick Lewis, Sabin McKinney, Daniel 
Munson, Josiah V. Simmons. 

1868.— William E, Knight, John G. Orton, Thomas J. Clark, Elijah 

F. Bloomer, Hallam Eldredge (resigned Dec. 6, 1869, and H. A. Bis- 
bee appointed). 

1869.— Moses T. Winton, Frederick Lewis, Franklin A. Darkee, 
Daniel Munson, Josiah V. Simmons. 

1870.— William E. Knight, John G. Orton, Thomas J. Clark, Elijah 
F. Bloomer, Hiram A. Bisbee. 

1871. — Harris G. Rodgers, Laurel L. Olmsted, Franklin A. Diirkee, 
Rev. D. W. Bristol, Daniel Lyons. 

1872.— Joseph P. Noyes, T. Edson Porter, Thomas J. Clark, Benajah 
S. Curran, Rollin B. Truesdell. 

1873. — Harris G. Rodgers, Laurel L. Olmsted, Ralph vS. Darrow, 
William H. Wilkinson, Daniel Lyons. 

1874. — Joseph P. Noyes, William Stewart, Thomas J. Clark, James 
F. Carl, Egbert M. Gaige. 

1875. — Harris G. Rodgers, Mason W. Bosworth, Ralph S. Darrow, 
Harry Lyon, Daniel Lyons. 



258 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

1876 — William E. Knight, William Stewart, Thomas J. Clark, James 
F. Carl, John H. Jessup. 

1877. — Gilbert M. Furman, J. Frank Rice, George Whitney, Joseph 
H. Chittenden, Daniel Lyons. 

1878. — Charles S. Hall, Simeon H. McCall, Marcus W. Scott, James 
F. Carl, John H. Jessup. 

1879. — Dan S. Richards, William P. Morgan, George Whitney, 
Joseph H. Chittenden, Albert Hatten. 

1880. — Charles S. Hall, Simeon H. McCall, Hiram Barnum, James 
F. Carl, RoUin B. Truesdell. 

1881. — Silas W. Crandall, Robert Morris, George A. Kent, Joseph H. 
Chittenden (long term. Fourth ward), Henry P. Clark (short term. 
Fourth ward), Daniel Lyons. 

1882. — James H. Graham, Herbert E. vSmith, Hiram Barnum (long 
term), Dan S. Burr (short term), Henry P. Clark, Frederick W. Put- 
nam. 

1883. — Frank H. vStephens, John B. Van Name, Dan S. Burr, Joseph 
H. Chittenden, Daniel Lyons, Moses Stoppard (long term), Horace E. 
Allen (short term). 

1884. — George A. Bishop, William M. Ely, Hiram Barnum, Henry 
P. Clark, Robert V. Bogart, Horace E. Allen. 

1885. — Henry A. Smith, Charles F. Terhune, Dan S. Burr, Charles 
E. Mann, (died February 16, 1886, and David H. Carver appointed), 
Albert Hatten, William J. Stone. 

1886. — George A. Bishop, William M. Ely, Hiram Barnum, Henry 
P. Clark, Robert V. Bogart, Horace E. Allen. 

1887.— Henry A. Smith, Homer B. Boss, Dan S. Burr, David H. 
Carver, Daniel Lyons, Moses Stoppard. 

1888.— George A. Bishop, William M. Ely, Robert V. Bogart, S. 
Douglas Smith, Hiram Barnum. 

188!). — Henry A. Smith, Moses Stoppard, Homer B. Boss, Daniel 
Lyons, David H. Carver, Dan S. Burr. 

1890. — George A. Bishop, Pliny A. Russell, James E. Barber, Homer 
B. Boss, Theodore B. Schenck, Hiram Barnum (long term), Harvey F. 
Beardsley (short term), George Whitney. 

1891. — Lyman H. Hills, Charles W. Gennet, Daniel Lyons, Julius E. 
Rogers, William M. Shapley, Harvey F. Beardsley. 

1892. — George A. Bishop, Albert H. Bixby, James E. Barber, Homer 
B. Boss, Theodore B. Schenck, William H. Cannon, George M. Ely. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 



257 



1893._Frank E. Slater, Charles W. Smith, Daniel Lyons, Julius E. 
Roo-ers, William M. Shapley, Harvey F. Beardsley. 

1^94 -Alfred J. Inloes, Albert H. Bixby, Robert V. Bogart, Homer 
B Boss Theodore B. Schenck, William H. Cannon, Charles J. Cook. 

'iSOo -William G. Trowbridge, Charles W. Smith, Walter Mosher, 
Tulius E. Rogers, William M. Shapley, D. P. Bailey. 
^ 1896 -Dr F E. Slater (short term), William F. Van Cleve (long 
term) Ur. Frank P. Hough, Robert V. Bogart, Homer B. Boss, 
Edward M Tierney, Marcus W. Scott, Charles J. Cook. 

1897 -Appointed by the mayor, September 23: S. Mills Ely, term 
to expire February 1, 1899; Edward C. Smith, term to expire February 
1 1900- Charles A. Weed, term to expire February 1, 1901; Charles W. 
Gennet! term to expire February 1, 1902; Julius E. Rogers, term to ex- 
pire February 1, 1903; Charles M. Stone, term to expire February 1, 

^^^898.— Marcus W. Scott, appointed September 30, by Mayor De 

1899 — M R F. McCarthy, appointed January, by Mayor De Witt. 

Presidents of the 5^ar^. -Daniel S. Dickinson, April 23-October 22, 
1861- Tracy R Morgan, October 22, 1861-66; Frederick Lewis, 1866,- 
resigned October 5, 1869; Thomas J. Claik, October 5, 1869-75; 
Harris G. Rodgers, 1875-77; Thomas J. Clark, 1877-78; Daniel Lyons, 
1878-79- George Whitney, 1879-80; James F. Carl, 1880-81; Joseph H. 
Chittenden 1881-82; Hiram Barnum, 1882-84; Joseph H. Chittenden, 
1884-85; Albert Hatten, 1885-87; Henry P. Clark, 1887-88; David H. 
Carver, 1888-89; George A. Bishop, 1889-90; David H. Carver 1890- 
91; Hiram Barnum, 1891-92; Daniel Lyons, 1892-93; George A. Bishop, 
1893-94; Julius E. Rogers, 1894-99. -ioqiqai 

Superintendents of Schools.-^2.v\^ H. Cruttenden, April 23, 1861- 
February 1, 1864; Henry T. Funnell, February 8, 1864-October, 1866; 
George Jackson, October 1866-67; Norman F. Wright, April 29 1867- 
January 4, 1869; George L. Farnham,^ January 21, 1869-October 26, 
1875- R B. Clarke, October 26, 1875-July 13, 1876; O. B. Bruce, July 
20, 1876-December 17, 1877; M. L. Hawley, March 18, 1878-81; J. H. 

1 " To Prof. Farnham, more than to any other man, belongs the credit for the ^^^^^^l^^^^ 
lent condition of our public schools. He laid the foundations broad and deep. He r-ogmzed 
the fact that the most important period of a child's training is m the primary «<=hool. He -aug 
urated a system of primary education which was looked upon m those days as a ^ev«lution 
educational methods; but it is a system which stood the test of more than a quarter o a ce^turj 
and to-day is looked upon with approval by practical educators, "-(Extracts from I. T. Deyo s 
alumni banquet address, June 21, 1897). 
17 



258 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT. 

Hoose. May 16, 1881-May 1, 1882; George L. Farnham, June 5-July 3, 
1882; Marcus W. Scott, August 7, 1882-June 19, 1886; Rufus H.Halsey, 
July 20, 1896-January 28, 1899; Darwin L. Bardwell, March 1, 1899. 

Secretaries of the Board. — Eleazer Osborn was appointed secretary 
October 26, 1875, and served until July 17, 1876; was re-appointed 
temporary secretary December 17, 1877, and served a short time. 
Arthur E. Knox served a short term beginning May 1, 1882. Dr. 
Alfred J. Inloes was appointed permanent secretary, December 2, 1895, 
and is still in office. 

Attendance Officers. — Martin L. Hall, December 19, 1894-February 
23, 1895; Albert Rorapaugh, February 22-April 1, 1895; Martin L. 
Hall, April 1-16, 1895; Stephen D. Wilbur, September 2, 1895. 

Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds. — Robert V. Bogart, Sep- 
tember 5, 1898. 

The Catholic Schools. — In a preceding portion of this chapter mention 
is made of the academic high school for young ladies conducted by the 
Misses White at the northwest corner of Chenango and Lewis streets; 
and of the subsequent removal of that school to the residence of Edward 
White on Front street (now the property of George H. Barlow.) The 
period of operation of the academic school was between 1830 and 1845. 
In 18-47 Father James F. Hourigan was appointed missionary priest for 
the counties of Broome, Chenango and Delaware, with a residence at 
Binghamton; and within three years from the date of his appointment 
the worthy priest had started a little parochial school in a story and a- 
half frame building which stood adjoining St. John's church edifice on 
the west. The school was placed in charge of Miss Ellen White 
(formerly of the Academic High school) and Miss Dodge, the latter a 
sister of General Dodge. This was the beginning of St. James' school, 
with hardly more than half a dozen children in attendance ; but it was 
well founded and under excellent management, therefore increased in 
strength and usefulness with the growth of the village and subsequent 
city. Indeed, St. James' school is one of the oldest educational institu- 
tions of Binghamton, and has enjoyed uninterrupted existence for more 
than half a century. 

The original school building was a frame structure and stood on the 
church lot between the present convent building and St. Patrick's edi- 
fice, and was removed to make room for the latter. It now stands on 
the lot next west of the corner of Oak street, on the south side of Le 
Roy street, and is occupied for dwelling purposes. When St. John's 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 259 

church edifice was removed from its original site to the Oak street lot 
the school was transferred to that building, and has since been main- 
tained there. 

In 1851 the number of pupils in St. James' school was 160. The 
teachers at that time are believed to have been Miss Ellen White and 
her sister and Miss Dodge, but the task proved too great for their 
strength, and at the end of about two years they were obliged to retire 
from the work. Then came the much esteemed Dennis J. Dowden, a 
former resident on Long Island, who took charge of the girls' depart- 
ment, while Mr. Stoughton conducted the boys' school. The latter 
was succeeded by John Guilfoyle, one of the most competent teachers 
connected with any school in our village history. He taught several 
years, until the convent was opened, when Mr. Dowden took charge of 
the boys' department. Mr. Dowden was connected with St. James' 
school until his death in 1878, and was followed by Mr. Lannon, who 
remained only a few weeks, and was in turn succeeded by Cornelius F. 
McCormick. 

St. Joseph's convent building was erected in 1860 by J. Stuart Wells, 
and on completion was at once opened as a parochial school of advanced 
grade in connection with St. Patrick's parish. It was, and still is, under 
charge of the sisters of St. Joseph, and for many years has been recog- 
nized as one of the leading educational institutions of the village and 
city. In 1862 the village board of education passed a resolution appro- 
priating $40 per month for the support of the school, but the action 
aroused such bitter discussion among the people that the payments 
were discontinued. St. Joseph's was afterward taken under the super- 
vision of the regents of the university, and thus shares in the public 
school funds. It has ever been maintained as a high class academic 
school, and draws a large attendance from the protestant element of 
the city. 

The Lady Jane Grey School. — In 1882 Mrs. Jane Grey Hyde, widow 
of Henry Mygatt Hyde, came to Binghamton and opened "Mrs. Hyde's 
home school for girls " in the old and historic building originally known 
as the " Brandy wine Inn," but later the residence of Rufus K. Amory. 
From the beginning the school proved a success and was liberally pat- 
ronized by the best people in the city. In 1887 the name of the insti- 
tution was changed to " Lady Jane Grey School," and was made a 
boarding and day school for young ladies. At the same time the build- 
ing was substantially remodeled and suitably arranged for boarding 



260 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

school occupancy. The teachers' corps, then as now, was under the 
principal direction of Mrs. Hyde and her daughters, Mary Rebecca 
Hyde and Jane Brewster Hyde. 

In this school, as in the other high class educational institutions of 
the city, the past ten years have witnessed many changes of im- 
provements. During that period it has grown and developed into one 
of the most popular and exclusive schools for mental and social train- 
ing in southern New York. When formally opened in 1887, Mrs. 
Hyde and daughters comprised the corps of teachers ; now ten assistant 
teachers are employed. Between 40 and 50 pupils are in regular at- 
tendance. The number of boarding pupils is limited to 20. In 1898 
the "cottage " building was fitted for the purposes of a gymnasium and 
girls' apartments. 

Barlow School of Industrial Arts. — On April 15, 1889, the regents 
of the university granted a charter to the Barlow School of Industrial 
Arts. The incorporators named in the articles of association, which 
were recorded in Broome county clerk's office, October 31, 1889, were 
Edward F. Jones, Eliot R. Payson, Charles M. Dickinson, Charles W. 
McCall, David Murray, Harris G. Rodgers, William G. Phelps, George 
C. Bayless, George A. Kent, Frederick E. Ross and Clinton Ross. 

The founder, in fact, of this worthy institution was Allen Barlow, 
who is remembered by nearly all of our citizens as a man of conserva- 
tive habits, of upright and correct life and ever mindful of the physical 
and mental welfare of the youth of the city. -Through honest and per- 
sistent effort in business life, and his well known and frugal manner of 
living, Mr. Barlow accumulated a comfortable fortune. His wife pos- 
sessed a temperament much like that of her husband, and together in 
perfect harmony they trod life's path to its inevitable end. 

Allen Barlow was a native of Greene county, N. Y., and was born 
September 17, 1810. His early education was acquired in the common 
schools of his native county, and also in a select academic school at 
Andover, Mass., from which he was graduated. He fully appreciated 
the importance of an early education and the difficulties sometimes en- 
countered- in acquiring it, for his own schooling was paid for with money 
he himself had earned. At the age of 17 he began teaching district 
school, and as he became more trained in the work he took charge of 
schools of higher grade. After several years he gave up teaching and 
began work as a clerk in a store at Lexington Heights, and two years 
later purchased an interest in the business. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 261 

In September, 1838, Mr. Barlow married with Lucina Denton Blakes- 
lee, daughter of Col. Enoch Blakeslee. After marriage, having saved 
his earnings of former years, Mr. Barlow began looking for a place of 
permanent settlement, and determined to build a house at Prattsville, 
which he did almost wholly with his own hands. He was thus self 
taught in carpentry and proved an excellent mechanic. In the spring 
of 1849 he went to San Francisco and remained in the gold fields about 
four years, during the time being constantly employed either as carpen- 
ter, merchant, contractor or mining operator; but at whatever avocation 
he was always industrious and earnest. 

In 1853 Mr. Barlow returned to the east and lived for a time in 
Greene county, but in 1854 he came to Binghamton and purchased the 
Sayles house on Court street, at the corner of Cox, now Chapman street, 
where he afterward lived and died. In 1857 he became partner with 
Levi M. Rexford in a drug business, but soon afterward purchased the 
entire stock. After selling the business Mr. Barlow was not engaged 
in active work until about the time of the outbreak of the war, when 
he was appointed U. S. gauger. He held this office, except from 1872 
to 1878, until 1884, when he resigned. In connection with his official 
duties, which did not occupy all his time, Mr. Barlow made all kinds of 
stencil plate and stamp work. These little industries occupied his 
mind during the latter period of his life, and yielded sufficient profit to 
maintain himself and wife. 

Allen Barlow died August 23, 1894, his wife died in February, 1895. 
He was a firm believer in mechanical industry as well as in education 
in the schools. He was a close student and careful reader, and more 
than twenty years ago concieved the idea of founding an institution in 
which young persons of both sexes might receive training in mechan- 
ical and household arts in connection with their education in the public 
schools. To this end he laid his plans and to their consummation he 
devoted his fortune, the results of raore than half a century of earnest, 
persevering effort. 

The incorporation of the Barlow school in April, 1889, was effected 
at the suggestion and request of Mr. Barlow himself, and in May fol- 
lowing the action of the regents, he and his wife executed deeds of con- 
veyance to the school of all their property, real and personal, in the 
city of Binghamton, of the estimated value of $75,000. In return, and 
to carry out the agreement with Mr. Barlow, the trustees of the school 
conveyed to him a life estate in the property deeded to them. Pro- 



262 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

vision was also made for a life interest in the residence property at the 
corner of Court and Chapman streets, and an annuity of $300, for the 
benefit of Mrs. Barlow in case she survived her husband. Mr. Barlow 
lived five years after the transfer of his property to the school, and 
during- that time, under appointment by the trustees, he acted as super- 
intending agent ; and it was not in fact until after the death of both the 
donor and his wife that definite measures were adopted by the trustees 
in the matter establishing the school. 

The property acquired by the trustees under the deeds from Mr. Bar- 
low comprised the three-story brick store building at No. 142 Washing-- 
ton street; the three-story brick block at Nos. 218-220 Court street, 
with buildings in rear on the Rutherford street front; the house and lot 
No. 232 Court street; the home property. No. 234 Court street; the 
house and lot No. 12 Summit street (originally Cox but now Chapman 
street), and also personal property of the nominal value of $15,000, 
The trustees sold the residence, No. 234 Court street, and with the 
avails thereof purchased the commonly called large block, situate in 
rear of the high school building; and later on they also purchased the 
Stryker residence on Oak street, which adjoined the former purchase on 
the west. 

The trustees have faithfully complied with every requirement and 
condition of their charter, and, as the articles suggested, have accom- 
plished a union of the Barlow school with the general system of the 
board of education. The latter, in 1895-96, erected a large building on 
the High school lot for the purposes of the industrial school, and soon 
after its completion the building was occupied for its intended vise. The 
board of education pays for all supplies used in the school, while the 
trustees of the Barlow school pay the salaries of its corps of instruc- 
tors. It is the ultimate aim and purpose of the trustees of the Barlow 
school to convert all their real estate into money and with the fund 
thereby created to erect a large and specially appointed building in 
which a complete course of instruction in the mechanical and house- 
hold arts shall be furnished to pupils in that department, and have the 
control of the institution vested in the city board of education. 

At the organization of the board of trustees in May, 1889, Harris G. 
Rodgers was elected president, David Murray, secretary, and Frederick 
E. Ross, treasurer. On the death of Mr. Rodgers, Charles M. Dickin- 
son was elected to fill the vacancy, and still holds the position. Mr. 
Murray resigned the secretaryship on his removal from the city, upon 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 263 

which Clinton Ross was appointed to fill the vacancy. He resigned 
April 1, 1895, and was succeeded by George C. Bayless, the present 
secretary, upon whom has fallen much of the hard work of the board. 
He was, in fact, the trustee of Mrs. Barlow during her lifetime, and 
was also the trusted friend and adviser of Mr. Barlow previous to his 
death. Had his counsel been more closely followed, the assets of the 
trustees might have been much larger than at present. Frederick E. 
Ross resigned the office of treasurer April 1, 1895, and was succeeded 
by William G. Phelps, the present custodian of the funds. 

The personnel of the board of trustees, as established in 1889, has 
changed by the death of Mr. Rodgers, the resignation and removal 
from the city of David Murray and Eliot R. Payson, and the resignation 
of Frederick E. and Clinton Ross. To fill vacancies George F. Lyon, 
Charles A. Weed and Daniel Lyons have been appointed trustees. 
There are two vacancies in the board at the present time. 

LIBRARIES. 

Tlie Binghamton Library Society, the pioneer institution of its kind 
in the village, was incorporated March 10, 1812, and was the result of 
a meeting of citizens held at the house of Marshall Lewis for the "pur- 
pose of establishing a public library in the town of Chenango." The sum 
of forty pounds was then subscribed as a book fund, but of its use and 
the period of operation of the society there is no present record. Not 
one of the founders of the society is now living, and no present resi- 
dent of the city has any recollection of its existence. Yet such an insti- 
tution did exist, and was organized at the time mentioned, Dr. Tracy 
Robinson being chairman of the meeting. The first trustees were Dr. 
Tracy Robinson, Mason Whiting, Joshua Whitney, Archibald Somer- 
ville, Charles Stone, Chester Lusk, William Chamberlain, William 
Stuart and Daniel Le Roy. 

The Binghamton Library, the second society of its kind in the village, 
was incorporated March 11, 1826, by several prominent citizens who 
expressed themselves in articles of association as follows: "We, whose 
names are hereunto subscribed, do hereby signify our content and desire 
to associate for the purpose of procuring and erecting a public library 
in the village of Binghamton, town of Chenango, county of Broome." 

The originators and trustees of this praiseworthy enterprise were 
Nathaniel Huse, Arthur Gray, Charles Howard, Ammi Doubleday, Jere- 
miah Campbell, James Munsell, Tracy Robinson, Daniel Evans, James 



264 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Squires, Gilbert Tompkins, Mason Whiting, George E. Isbell, George 
Park, Lewis Squires, Thomas Evans, Silas West, Samuel Smith, James 
S. Hawley, Erasmus D. Robinson, Locy Halsted, Hazard Lewis, 
Myron Merrill, Julius Page, Richard Mather, James McKinney, Maver- 
ick Pratt, Joshua Whitney and Christopher Eldredge. 

It is understood that the Binghamton library was maintained with a 
moderate degree of success for a period of about twenty years, when it 
passed out of existence. The written record, if indeed any were kept, 
cannot now be found. 

The Young Men's Association succeeded the society last mentioned, 
but all records of its organization and subsequent history have been 
lost. It is believed to have been formed about 1850. It was continued 
until 1861, when its collection of books was purchased by the board of 
education and used to form the nucleus of the union free school library 
of later years. The records show that $105 were paid by the board to 
the association trustees, and that the sale was made on condition that a 
free library be afterward maintained by the purchaser. This condi- 
tion certainly has been complied with according to its full intent, and 
the city school library, as it is commonly known, now contains a large 
and valuable collection of books. By persons well informed on the 
subject it is said that the library at the present time is one of the best 
of its special kind in the state. The number of volumes exceeds 
12,000. Since 1861 the library has been under control of the board of 
education, its affairs being managed by a committee of that body. Since 
1881 Mrs. Josephine W. Clonney has held the position of librarian, and 
through her careful attention to the details of the office the library has 
been brought to its present standard of excellence. 

Tlie Binghamton Library Association, the largest and most thoroughly 
appointed literary society ever organized in this city, and one which 
has been of the greatest public benefit among the several organizations 
of its character in local history, was incorporated in 1874, with chartei 
members as follows: Celora E. Martin, U. H. Patterson, Henry A. 
Smith, Edwin G. Halbert, Joseph M. Johnson, J. Monroe Lyons, 
George M. Harris, Stephen C. Millard, George F. Lyon, Charles H. 
Amsbry, James H. Barnes, A. De Witt Wales, Theo. F. McDonald, 
Philo H. Lee, Arthur L. Tremain, Homer B. Boss, Alonzo Stryker, L. 
D. V. Smith, David L. Brownson, Cyrus J. Brownell, Henry P. Brush, 
Asa R. Tweedy, Frederick A. Benson, Harlan G. Blanding, Pliny A. 
Russell, David H. Ogden, S. Mills Ely, W. Gus Chittenden, Alonzo C. 
Matthews and William B. Edwards. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 265 

According to the provisions of the constitution of the association, full 
membership was secured upon the consent of the organization and the 
payment of a membership fee of $25. This entitled the member to all 
the privileges of the association without further expense. The library 
books were accessible to non-members upon payment of an annual fee 
of two dollars. An annual lecture course was one of the leading fea- 
tures of the association's history, and was continued with gratifying 
success several years. At length, however, the expenses for rent and 
maintenance, together with the increasing popularity of the union 
school library, suggested to the association the propriety of making 
some disposition of its property. This was done by a transfer of asso- 
ciation stock to members of the Young Men's Christian Association, 
and by this means the latter became possessed of several thousand well 
selected library volumes of books. The transfer was made in 1889, 
since which time only occasional meetings have been held. The organ- 
ization, however, has never lost its identity. The present acting offi- 
cers are the president, David H. Carver, the secretary, Homer B. Boss, 
and the treasurer, James W. Manier. 

In his will the late Colonel Walton Dwight bequeathed to the Bing- 
hamton Library association the sum of $7,500, of which amount the sum 
of $2,500 was to be immediately available for the extension of the 
library, while the balance of $5,000 was to be invested for the benefit 
of the association. Through some defect in the bequeathing clause the 
association did not acquire the $5,000 above mentioned, but it did re- 
cieve $2,500, which has been partially used for the purchase of books. 

The first officers of the association were Celora E. Martin, president; 
William B. Edwards, vice-president; Homer B. Boss, recording secre- 
tary; W. Gus Chittenden, corresponding secretary; U. H. Patterson, 
financial secretary; Alonzo C. Matthews, treasurer. 

From 1874 to 1899 the presidents of the association have been as fol- 
lows: Celora E. Martin, 1874-75; William B. Edwards, 1876-77; 
Stephen C. Millard, 1878-79; Asa R. Tweedy, 1880-85; David H. Car- 
ver, 1886-99. The secretaries have been Homer B. Boss, 1874-76; 
George M. Harris, 1877-79; Russell B. Merriam, 1880; M. H. Mills, 
1881; Homer B. Boss, 1882; Hartwell Morse, 1883; M. H. Mills, 1884- 
85; Eleazer Osborn, 1886-89; Homer B. Boss, 1890-99. 



266 BINGHAMTON ITS SETTLEMENT. 



CHAPTER XIV. 
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 

Early Roads and Turnpikes. — Binghamton, and in fact any munici- 
pality or town, owes much of its progress and development to its in- 
ternal improvements. The first settlers who came into this region 
followed the old and well-defined Indian trails up and down the valleys 
of the Susquehanna and Chenango rivers, but to permit the free pas- 
sage of wagons and ox carts these primitive thoroughfares were cleared 
of their accumulation of fallen timber, and were widened to about six 
or eight feet. If the road happened to be obstructed by trees of large 
size the hardy pioneer would cut his way around them. The road most 
frequently used in reaching this village settlement followed down the 
north side of the Susquehanna to a point just below the dry bridge 
across Brandywine creek, and then turned northwestward in an almost 
direct line to Lyon's Ferry, near the present Ferry street bridge. When 
the site of the settlement was removed from Chenango village to 
Chenango Point, soon after 1800, a new road was opened from the angle 
near the Brandywine creek to the ferry at the twin elms, or substan- 
tially on the route of Court street. Another trail and subsequent road 
much used by travelers into the region was that on which the old State 
road to Catskill was afterward laid out, reaching across the country from 
the upper Susquehanna valley to the old road on the east bank of the Che- 
nango near Sawtell's tavern stand. At this point a ferry carried travelers 
across the river to the main road leading from Chenango Forks to 
Owego, the latter road being laid substantially on the route of Prospect 
street, as now known. At the foot of Mount Prospect, near the river, 
the road forked and a branch led down the west side of the Chenango 
nearly on the line of Front street to the river road, and thence to Owego 
on the north side of the Susquehanna. Indeed, the street called River- 
side Drive is one of the oldest thoroughfares in the city and at one time 
in its history it was in part built as a corduroy road. From Lyon's 
Ferry, on the west side of the Chenango, a branch road led northwest 
to the highway skirting Prospect hill on the north. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 267 

The foregoing outline furnishes an idea of the situation of the high- 
ways leading into the village about one hundred years ago, but it was 
not until Chenango Point was designated as the seat of justice of the 
newly created county of Broome that turnpike companies were organ- 
ized and began their operation, thus opening more convenient means of 
travel into the region. These old toll roads, however, are considered 
of little consequence in our history, so completely has their importance 
been dwarfed by more modern means of travel. Still, as incidental to 
the subject of internal improvements some brief allusion to them is 
appropriate. 

The Unadilla Turnpike company was one of the first incorporations 
of its character, and was authorized to open and maintain a toll road 
from Cuyler's store, in the town of Otego, to Chenango Point, term- 
inating near the house of Joshua Whitney. The company was incor- 
porated in April, 1806. In April of the next year the Salina and 
Chenango Turnpike company was incorporated, among its promoters 
in this locality being Chauncey Hyde and Daniel Hudson. This road 
opened for settlement the country bordering on both sides of the Che- 
nango River, and afforded direct communication with Salina, or Syra- 
cuse, as now known, passing through the towns of Onondaga, Tully, 
Homer, Virgil, Cincinnatus, Lisle and Chenango to Chenango Point. 
In the same year the Otsego and Broome Turnpike company was in- 
corporated and opened for travel and settlement of the country in the 
sections north of the city. 

The Great Bend and Bath Turnpike company was incorporated March 
11, 1808, and that turnpike became one of the most popular routes of 
travel through the Susquehanna valley. General Whitney was one of 
the incorporators and chief promoters of the road. - This was probably 
the highway intended to have been built by the Great Bend and Union 
Turnpike company, which was incorporated but did not begin opera- 
tions under its charter. When the road was in fact built the work was 
done under the direction of General Whitney, Squire Whiting, Judge 
Woodruff, Judge McKinney and Daniel Le Roy, who were authorized 
to open a sufficient highway beginning at the terminus of the Cohocton 
and Great Bend road, thence running on the north side of the Susque- 
hanna to the bridge across the Chenango (at the foot of Court street), 
and thence to the bridge across the Choconut in the town of Union. 
Court and Main streets within the city limits are on the line of this old 
road. 



268 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

The Chenango Turnpike company was incorporated June 15, 1812, 
and was authorized to construct and maintain a toll road beginning at 
the twenty-eighth milestone on the Pennsylvania line, and running 
thence by the most direct and practicable route to the house of John G. 
Christopher, on the Susquehanna river, opposite the village of Chenan- 
"■o Point. The commissioners to receive subscriptions to the capital 
stock of the company were Horace Williston, Judge Woodruff and 
Tracy Robinson. This was the old Montrose turnpike route, as after- 
wards known, and followed in part on the line of Pennsylvania and 
Park avenues, thence up the hill west of the park. The Hawleyton 
turnpike was of much later construction, and united with the Montrose 
road about twetity-five rods south of the present Rossville school house. 
In connection with the Chenango turnpike road, on June 19, 1812, the 
town highway commissioners were directed to lay out Water street to 
the full width of sixty feet from Court street to the Susquehanna river. 
A ferry was put in operation at the foot of Water street where travel 
was maintained across the river just east of the Christopher property 
(now known as the Eldredge estate) until after the erection of the 
White bridge in 1826. It was sometimes known as Waterhouse's 
Ferry, and was kept up until Mr. Waterhouse lost his property, 
when it was discontinued. 

Among the other turnpike companies whose lines of road were de- 
signed to open avenues of travel into the village during the early years 
of its history, were the Chenango and Onondaga Turnpike company, in- 
corporated April 17, 1816, for the construction of a toll road from the 
town of Fabius to Chenango Point. Also the Windsor and Bingham- 
ton Turnpike company, whose road led from Windsor village through 
Cole's Settlement to- this village. It was incorporated March 31, 1821, 
and was authorized to be laid out by Chester Patterson, Thomas Blakes- 
lee andOzias Marsh. The Broome and Tioga Turnpike road company 
was incorporated in 1825, by Dr. Robinson, Otis Lincoln and John 
Speed, jr. The Binghamton and Harpersville company was incorpo- 
rated in May,1834, and Joseph S. Bosworth, Judge Chamberlain, Henry 
Squires, Nathaniel Cole and James Blakeslee were authorized to re- 
ceive stock subscriptions. The route of this road was from this village 
to the house of Mr. Squires in Conklin, and thence to Harpersville, 
in the town of Colesville. These were a few of the many turnpike 
companies incorporated for the purpose of constructing and operating 
toll roads in this county, and were intended for the ultimate benefit of 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 269 

the region through which they were severally laid out, as well as for 
the pecuniary profit of their promoters. 

Mail and Stage Coaching. — The first and principal object of the 
turnpike roads above mentioned was the expectation of profit on the 
part of their respective proprietors. Still other roads were projected 
but were not built, but all these endeavors were directly beneficial to 
local interests. As early as 1816 or '17 to firm of Teter & Huntington 
put a mail coach on the road between Newburgh and Owego, Teter 
himself being the driver and traveling with a two horse team the en- 
tire distance, making one trip each way weekly. In 1818 a company 
was formed to operate a mail and passenger stage line over the same 
route, but extended the latter from Owego to Ithaca, and made tri- 
weekly trips. In 1820, Dr. Tracy Robinson and Major Augustus Mor- 
gan succeeded to the company's interest in the line and inaugurated a 
system of travel and transportation which was maintained until the con- 
struction of railroads made the business unprofitable. This, perhaps, 
was Major Morgan's most conspicuous service in connection with the 
early history of Binghamton. ' He was partner for a time with Dr. 
Robinson but soom became sole proprietor. The firm ran the first 
regular stage coach through this village about 1823. Among the prin- 
cipal lines in which Major Morgan was interested was that from New- 
burgh to Binghamton and thence to Ithaca. Another was from Jersey 
City to Owego, and still anothej from Catskill to Geneva. All were for 
years operated by the firm of A. Morgan & Co., with this village as 
general headquarters. At the terminal points connections were estab- 
lished and passengers and mails were thereby carried to distant parts of 
the state. In several of the connecting lines Major Morgan had an in- 
terest, though this village was the chief seat of his operations. Among 
his old-time partners, besides Dr. Robinson, were Isaac Tompkins, 
Sidney T. Robinson, and perhaps others whose names are not re- 
called. 

As early as 1818 or '19, a two-horse wagon began carrying passen- 
gers between this village and Oxford, under the proprietorship of one 
Willoughby, making weekly trips. After a year or two the number of 
trips was doubled and George Munsell became owner of the line, doing 
his own driving. In 1825 he put a four-horse mail and passenger coach 
on the line and extended his route to Utica, but the easier means of 
travel afforded by the Chenango canal eventually drove him out of 
business. In 1828 John McPherson put a two-horse stage on the Mont- 



370 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

rose turnpike, making weekly trips and thus opening communication 
with northern Pennsylvania. Daniel Searle afterward became owner 
of this line. The Montrose stage line was maintained until about 
twenty-five years ago, when the D., L. & W. Railroad and its connec- 
tions superseded the slower means of travel. 

One of the most interesting periods in the early history of our village 
was that usually termed stage coaching days. When the system was 
at its best the daily arrival and departure of the stages was an occasion 
of great moment among the villagers, while the ever active agents and 
speculators were constantly on hand to extol the qualities of the land 
held by them for sale. Our streets were nightly thronged with stran- 
gers and frequently the capacity of the village taverns was overtaxed. 
The old Binghamton hotel, at the corner of Court and Water streets, 
Peterson's tavern, at the corner of Main and Front streets, and the 
Broome County house (afterward the Phoenix and still later the Ex- 
change hotel) were almost daily crowded with guests, business men and 
village hangers-on; and around the barns and in the streets stage 
coaches and vehicles of every description added to the thriving appear- 
ance of the place. The first serious blow to the staging industry in 
this locality was the construction of the Chenango canal, and the finish- 
ing stroke followed when the principal lines of steam railroads were 
opened for traffic. 

In this connection it is interesting to recall the names of some of the 
more prominent stage coach drivers who traveled through the village 
and made headquarters at the taverns of the place. They were " Jack " 
Finch, " Dave " Bartle (who drove on the Binghamton, Corbettsville 
and Montrose line, and was a general favorite along the whole route), 
James Peterson (colored), John B. Bowen (who in later years was one 
of our most respected citizens), Erastus R. Campbell (afterward a busi- 
ness man in the city, for years chief of the fire department, and whose 
familiar figure is daily seen on our public streets), "Hank " Wolverton, 
Isaac Wilber, Ira Jennings, Milton Tousley, James Ager, Lemuel Win- 
ton, John Lampkins, Emory Truesdell (on the Montrose line), Asa and 
Merritt Truesdell, James Rockenstyre, Andrew Carter, "Jake" Hogan, 
Hubert Hogan, David Wormer and Harry Nash. 

River Navigation. — Many of our first settlers came into the region 
by way of the Susquehanna, Tioughnioga and Chenango rivers, using, 
chiefly, flat-bottomed or Durham boats, arks, and occasionally a log or 
bark canoe. This means of travel at the time was both necessary and 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 271 

convenient. Previous to 1815 but few dams had been built across the 
larger streams of the county, hence travel by water was an established 
custom of early days. In April, 1813, the legislature passed an act 
by which the Susquehanna river within this state was declared to be 
a public highway. At the same time the construction of dams for 
lumbering and milling purposes was authorized, but few were built in 
this immediate locality until several years afterward. 

All attempts to navigate the rivers of this county with either sail or 
steam craft, except for pleasure purposes, have met with many dis- 
couraging obstacles and very limited success. The movement began 
and had its origin in Owego previous to 1825, when it was proposed to 
navigate the waters of the Susquehanna from that village to the in- 
terior of Pennsylvania. The efforts in this direction were honest and 
commendable, and for a time were rewarded with partial success, but 
the series of rifts, rapids and bars between Owego and Binghamton 
precluded the possibility of commercial intercourse without a greater 
expense than the probable results would justify. In 1825 the Delaware 
and Susquehanna Navigation company was incorporated, and had for 
its object the navigation of the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers in 
this State. John A. Collier and Chester Patterson were interested in 
the company, yet neither they nor their associates were able to establish 
successful river navigation. Still later, in April, 1855, the Bingham- 
ton, Owego and Slack Water Navigation company was incorporated. 
In this enterprise we find the names of James S. Hawley and Dr. Edwin 
Eldridge, of this village, with many other prominent men of Tioga 
county. It was the intention of the company to construct necessary 
dams, locks, gates and other erections for the purpose of making and 
maintaining slack water navigation from the southern terminus of the 
Chenango canal to the Pennsylvania line in the town of Barton, Tioga 
county. The company, however, never carried out its plans, and all 
like attempts to navigate our rivers for general commercial purposes 
have met with unfortunate results. The southern terminus of the 
Chenango canal, just mentioned, was at the extreme point of land at the 
angle formed by the junction of the Chenango with the Susquehanna 
river, west of the lower end of Washington street. 

THE CHENANGO CANAL. 

The construction of a canal through the central portion of this State, 
connecting the Hudson River with Lake Erie, had a greater stimulating 



272 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

effect upon the settlement and development of the region through 
which it passed than all other efforts in that direction, and resulted in 
numerous applications to the legislature for like thoroughfares for the 
benefit of other localities. The Erie canal was begun at Rome, July 4, 
1817, and was finished in October, 1835. Its original cost was $7,143,- 
789.86. 

The Chenango canal was authorized by an act of the legislature, passed 
February 23, 1833. The work of construction was begun the same year 
and was finished in 1837, at a total cost of $1,737,703. From Utica, the 
northern terminus, to the summit of the greatest elevation on its line, a 
series of seventy-six locks gave a rise of 706 feet; thence the canal de- 
scended 303 feet by thirty-eight locks to the southern terminus at the 
junction of the Susquehanna and Chenango rivers in Binghamton. The 
feed supply was obtained from the elevated water bodies of southern 
Madison county, and were Madison brook. Woodman's pond, Leland's 
pond, Bradley's brook, Hatch's lake and Eaton brook reservoir. The 
length of the canal was ninety-seven miles, and of its feeders, thirteen 
and three-fourths miles. The greatest altitude above tide water was at 
Bouckville, the elevation being 1,128 feet. 

The old canal is now a thing of the past, but during the period of 
its existence it was one of the most important factors of our village 
history, and in a hundred ways it contributed to municipal growth and 
prosperity. The section between Chenango Forks and Binghamton 
was the last to be finished, and the earth excavated from the channel 
through our then village was used to fill Court street between the canal 
bridge and Water street. 

On May 6, 1837, a canal boat arrived in Binghamton, having made a 
trip from Crooked Lake (now Lake Keuka) via Crooked Lake canal, 
Seneca Lake, and the Seneca, Erie and Chenango canals to this village. 
On this memorable occasion, according to the published account in the 
Broome County Republican at the time, there was "considerable rejoicing 
and some powder burnt." Indeed, the celebration was continued sev- 
eral days, for never before in our history had such a gigantic enterprise 
been carried to a successful end. 

The first boat to leave this port was that fitted out by Deacon Wat- 
tles, a worthy resident of the town of Chenango, who was about to take 
his departure for the West. His craft was built on the Chenango river, 
above the village, and thence, with a cargo of household goods, the 
good deacon and his family floated down the river to the outlet lock, 
where his boat entered the canal. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 273 

From the time of the completion of the canal to the time when the 
New York and Erie railroad was opened for traffic the former was the 
principal avenue of commercial intercourse with the markets of the 
East and West. Previous to that time all importations for domestic 
use were transported from the commercial centers overland by team 
and wagons, but when the canal opened the old custom was discontin- 
ued. One of the first families to reach the village by the new route 
was that of Samuel H. P. Hall, on whose arrival the opening celebra- 
tion was still in progress. 

Hardly a vestige of the old canal is now visible within the city limits, 
except the ill- defined outline east and north of the Chenango street 
crossing. Its general course through the city was on the line of State 
street, which is laid out on the " filled-in " canal bed. From Susque- 
hanna street to Chenango street. State street is on the exact line of the 
canal. As has been stated, a stone lock was constructed on the point 
where the canal discharged into the river. The next lock was about in 
rear of the brewery property on Collier street, on the south side of 
Evans' basin. Another was about opposite or a little above the West- 
cott building on State street. Still farther up was the well known 
"upper level," the most popular skating place in the village. This 
stretch extended from the lock mentioned to the famous " one-horse 
grocery," which stood just south of the Bevier street crossing. The 
lower level, in common parlance among boys of the period, was between 
Court street and the lock on the south side of Evans' basin. The basin 
itself was a favored spot for the pastimes of youth, and also a busy lo- 
cality during the boating season, from May to December. It extended 
from the west curb line of State street east along the south line of 
Hawley street to about the west wall of Bartlett & Co.'s main building; 
thence south between these lines to the brewery property. Its main 
use was for turning and loading boats, and otherwise it served many 
and valuable purposes, not the least of which was a skating ground for 
the academy pupils in particular and the whole townsfolk in general. 
The Evans' warehouse and lime-kiln were on the east side of the basin; 
the brewery and a lumber yard on the south; Hull's spoke and hub 
factory and one or two other industries on the west ; the Collier mill 
and the foundery on the north, besides lesser business interests scat- 
tered over the locality. 

The basin above Henry street was of less size, yet was in the center 
of an equally busy locality during the boating season and particularly 

18 



274 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

SO previous to the burning of the Weed & Ayers steam mill and ad- 
joining buildings. Later on several minor industries were maintained 
in the vicinity, one of the largest of which was the Mather lime-kiln, 
where a poor old darkey, whom we all knew only as " Jeff," was burned 
to death. But on these scenes we cannot dwell, notwithstanding the 
many interesting reminiscences which are associated with the history 
of the old Chenango canal. It was a noted thoroughfare for trade and 
traffic during the period of its operation and was perhaps productive of 
as much good in our village as any of its early institutions. While the 
rivers were important auxiliaries during the lumbering and rafting 
period, the canal at the same time acquired a certain prominence in 
that industry. The Susquehanna carried both lumber and logs to 
markets along the river while the canal boats transported manufac- 
tured lumber to both eastern and western markets. In 1840 Christo- 
pher Eldredge, General Waterman, Col. Lewis, John D. Smith and 
Lewis Seymour shipped four million feet of lumber to market over the 
canal route alone, while like outputs were in the same manner mar- 
keted during the years when that industry was at its height. The 
pioneer of the general shipping and forwarding business on the canal 
in this village was Charles McKinney, who, by his energy and thrift, 
accumulated a fortune. In 1851 he began shipping coal and for years 
carried on a large business. His example was followed by other enter- 
prising men, and for at least twenty-five years Binghamton was a ship- 
ping point of much importance on the canal. These interests, how- 
ever, will be further mentioned in the chapter devoted to industrial 
pursuits. 

On April 18, 1838, the legislature passed an act to extend the Che- 
nango canal from its terminus at Binghamton to the state line near Tioga 
Point, at the terminus of the North Branch canal of Pennsylvania. 
More than twenty-five years elapsed, however, before anything was 
done in the matter of extension, and then under new legislation. The 
next act authorizing an extension was passed April 15, 1864, and ap- 
propriated $500,000 for the work. Further appropriations were made 
as follows: $200,000 in 1869; $200,000 in 1870; $175,000 in 1871 
and $120,000 in 1872. In all, nearly $1,250,000 were appropriated 
— and wasted — in this fruitless undertaking. The scheme contemplated 
a change in the route of the canal through this city by following the gen- 
eral course of the Brandywine creek from a point above Chenango street 
to the mouth of the creek at the Susquehanna river. It was not proposed 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 275 

to immediately abandon that portion of the canal which passed through 
the business part of the city. The waters of the Susquehanna were to 
be made more sluggish and deep by raising the Rockbottom dam, while 
at the south end of the dam the extension on the south side of the river 
was to begin. The river itself was to serve the double purpose of a 
canal and feeder for the extension, and for this purpose the dam was 
raised about two feet. This work was done in the summer of 1871, 
but not one boat was ever run into the canal south of the river. The 
mere act of raising the dam would presumably increase the water power 
capacity of the mills on the north side of the river, but a contrary result 
was asserted. Riparian owners also claimed,' and were awarded, ex- 
cessive damages, whereas in fact little if any real injury resulted from 
raising the dam. 

In due time the canal extension was substantially completed, the ap- 
propriations were exhausted, and our city was benefited by the project 
only to the extent that business interests were temporarily advanced by 
the increased trade enjoyed by our merchants. Land owners, through 
whose premises the extension was constructed, were compensated ac- 
cording to the damages suffered by each, but ultimately they were 
again possessed of their lands under acts of the legislature abandoning 
the canal. 

While the work of canal construction was in progress existing railroad 
companies were constantly extending their lines, and new corporations 
at the same time were adding to the number of roads crossing the state 
in every possible directiou. The completion of the Utica & Chenango 
Valley road worked the downfall of the Chenango canal so far as the 
latter was a factor in the carrying trade between this city and. the New 
York Central road which almost paralleled the Erie canal. By the 
canal route from three to four days were required to complete a freight 
boat trip from this city to Utica, while by rail, at about the same ex- 
pense, the distance could be covered in as many hours. The more 
rapid means of travel and transportation proved preferable to business 
men throughout the state, hence in 1872 the Chenango canal was aban- 
doned; and that before the extension to Owego was fully completed. 

The village of Binghamton was indeed a place of busy activity during 
the boating season away back in the forties and fifties, when the canal 
had no competitor in the carrying trade except the New York and Erie 
railroad, and it seemed wrong to close this well traveled thoroughfare 
which had served our business interests so well. Throughout the 



276 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

length of the village, from the Point to the Chenango street bridge, the 
canal banks on both sides were busy places and many of our best indus- 
tries prospered under the fortunate conditions then existing; the incon- 
veniences were few while the benefits were many. Originally, on the 
principal east and west streets, Court, Henry and Hawley, the canal 
was crossed on bridges elevated several feet above grade in order that 
canal boats and horses might pass under them, but between 1865 and 
1869 the legislature authorized the removal of the raised structures and 
the erection of modern swing bridges. The bridge on Court street was 
of iron, and was built in 1870, to the full width of the street. 

By an act of the legislature, passed May 20, 1872, the city was author- 
ized to use (after September) for a public street that portion of the 
canal between the south line of Susquehanna street and the north line 
of Prospect avenue; and by an act passed June 4, 1878, the use of the 
entire canal within the city limits was authorized for street purposes. 
The Chenango canal was permanently closed in 1875. During the 
period of its operation the collectors at Binghamton were as follows: 

Erasmus D. Robinson, appointed Feb. 22, 1837, and ' reappointed 
March 13, 1838; William Cook, March 14, 1839, Feb. 25, 1840 and Feb. 
10. 1841; Giles Orcutt, March 10, 1842, and March 20, 1843; Joseph 
Congdon, March 1, 1844, and Feb. 18, 1845; William E. Abbott, Feb. 
13, 1846, and April 19, 1847; Henry W. Shipman, Feb. 8, 1848, Feb. 9, 
1849, Feb. 20, 1850, and Feb. 5, 1851; John H. Smith, Feb. 5, 1852, 
and Feb. 19, 1853; Hamden K. Pratt, Jan. 20, 1854, and Feb. 21, 1855; 
Patrick H. Drake, Jan. 22, 1856, and Feb. 29, 1857; Charles Davis, 
March 8, 1858, and March 3, 1859; Benjamin De Voe, March 8, 1860, 
March 14, 1861, Feb. 5, 1862, Feb. 4, 1863, Jan. 27, 1864, Feb. 25, 1865, 
Jan. 23, 1866, and Feb. 6, 1867; Ezra F. Davis, March 17, 1868; Ed- 
ward H. Freeman, March 10, 1869; Fred M. Abbott, March 25, 1870; 
George L. Lawyer, Jan. 27, 1871; Elias Conklin, Jan. 24, 1872, and 
Jan. 21, 1873; James O'Brien, Jan. 29, 1874, and Feb. 4, 1875. 

RAILROADS. 

The first effective act to incorporate a railroad company whose line of 
road was intended to pass through the village of Binghamton was passed 
by the legislature April 24, 1832, when the New York and Erie railroad 
company was chartered. General Whitney, Christopher Eldredge and 
James McKinney were among the leading spirits of the enterprise in this 
locality. The preliminary surveys were made in 1832 by De Witt Clin- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 271- 

ton, jr., but in 1834 the route was resurveyed by Benjamin Wright, as 
sisted by James Seymour and Charles Ellett, under orders from the 
governor. In 1835 the company was reorganized, and in 1836 the 
comptroller was directed to issue $3,000,000 of state stock to aid in con- 
structing the road. Work on the eastern division was soon afterward 
begun, yet more than thirteen years elapsed before the anxious, hopeful 
citizens of Binghamton were assured that the enterprise was a complete 
success in the arrival of the first train of cars. The road was com- 
pleted to Binghamton December 28, 1848, and to Owego, June 1, 1849. 

In the meantime, however, a number of our prominent citizens, 
doubtful of the success of the original enterprise and filled with a desire 
to aid in the laudable attempt to have a railroad in actual operation in 
this locality, on April 29, 1833, secured an act of incorporation of the 
Binghamton and Susquehanna Railroad company, with a capital of 
$150,000, and with authority to build and operate aline of railroad from 
this village to the Pennsylvania state line, at or near the village of 
Susquehanna. Daniel S. Dickinson, Stephen Weed and Dr. Ammi 
Doubleday were prominently connected with the undertaking. Noth- 
ing, however, resulted from this endeavor and it remained for the older 
company to accomplish whatever was done in that direction. 

The New York and Erie railroad was completed to Dunkirk and 
opened for traffic in 1851, nearly twenty years after the route was first 
surveyed. Under its several names and various reorganizations the 
road has been in continuous operation for a period of almost half a 
century, and many indeed have been the benefits therefrom to our 
business interests. When the road was opened the village popula- 
tion was hardly more than 4,000 inhabitants, yet within the next 
ten years the number was almost doubled. Direct connection with 
New York city on the east, and Buffalo on the west, greatly in- 
creased the value of property in the vicinity of Binghamton and gave 
great impetus to all interests. The appearance of the first locomotive 
was greeted with a large assemblage of people, and the event was 
hardly less important than the canal opening of ten years before. 
The enthusiasm shown on this memorable occasion was proper, for 
all that Binghamton was and is from a commercial point of view, 
has been due to its several lines of railroad. 

On April 24, 1878, the property and franchises of the Erie Railway 
company, by which name it was then known, were sold under fore- 
closure proceedings. The purchasing agents acted for the New York, 



278 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Lake Erie and Western Railroad company, which was chartered April 
27, 1878. 

The Syracuse, Cortland and Bingham ton Railroad company (now 
known as the Syracuse, Binghamton and New York), was incorpo- 
rated May 21, 1836, with a capital stock of $500,000, and with authority 
to build and maintain a railroad between Syracuse and Binghamton by 
way of the village of Cortland. Daniel S. Dickinson, General Water- 
man and Joseph S. Bosworth were prominently identified with the early 
history of the company, and were also among the commissioners ap- 
pointed to receive subscriptions to the capital stock. Nothing was 
accomplished under the original charter and the company finally passed 
out of existence. 

The next attempt to organize a company to build and maintain a 
railroad between Syracuse and Binghamton was made in 1851, when a 
charter was granted to the Syracuse and Binghamton Railroad company 
of date July 2. In 1852 an act of the legislature authorized the village 
of Binghamton to purchase the company's bonds, and Ammi Double- 
day, Rodney A. Ford, Hazard Lewis, Daniel S. Dickinsoi and Samuel 
H. P. Hall were appointed "commissioners of the railroad fund of 
Binghamton;" to have entire charge of the negotiations and purchase 
of the bonds above mentioned. The work of building the road was be- 
gun in 1852, and was finished in 1854. The road was opened for traffic 
on October 18, of the year last mentioned. On October 13, 1856, the 
road was sold under foreclosure proceedings, and on reorganization 
the name was changed to Syracuse and Southern Railroad company. 
On April 30, 1857, the name was again changed and became Syracuse, 
Binghamton and New York Railroad company, as now known. The 
company's stock was purchased by the owners of the D., L. & W. 
road, and in 1863 the S., B. & N. Y. became a part of the Lackawanna 
system. 

The Albany and Susquehanna Railroad company was chartered by an 
act of the legislature passed April 2, 1851, with authority to construct 
and operate a railroad between Albany and Binghamton. The prelimi- 
nary surveys were made in the early part of 1853 and in September 
following the work of construction was begun. Owing, however, to 
many opposing obstacles and discouragements it was not until September 
1863, that the road was completed to Schoharie Junction. It was opened 
asfarasBainbridgein July, 1867, and to Binghamton, January 14, 1869. 
The city purchased $50,000 worth of stock in the road, and only 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 279 

through the strenuous efforts of our more public spirited citizens were 
we given direct communication with the state capital by rail. In later 
years the corporation controlling the road experienced many vicissi- 
tudes, and owing to many and conflicting processes of law, mismanage- 
ment and malfeasance in office, the opposing factions became involved 
in a bitter struggle ; and only through the determined action of the 44th 
Regiment of militia (a city and county organization) was violence and 
bloodshed averted and quiet restored. On February 20, 1870, the 
road was leased to the Delaware and Hudson Canal company for a term 
of 150 years. 

The Utica, Chenango and Susquehanna Valley Railroad company 
dates its history from January 11, 1866, when a charter was granted 
to a company under that name and with authority to build and operate 
a line of railroad from Utica to Binghamton. Previous to that time, 
however, and about 1850 the Utica and Binghamton Railroad company 
was chartered for that purpose, but its work was never completed. It 
was followed by the Chenango Valley Railroad company, which was in- 
corporated April 22, 1863, with authority to build a road from Water- 
ville to Binghamton. Still it remained for the Utica, Chenango and 
Susquehanna Valley company to complete the work undertaken by its 
predecessors. This was done in 1872. On April 9, 1870, before com- 
pletion, the road was leased to the D., L. & W. R. R. company, by 
whom it is now operated. 

The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad company, whose 
trunk line of railway is one of the most important avenues of travel 
across the state, is a foreign corporation, having been chartered and 
organized under the laws of Pennsylvania. The western terminus of 
the company's road is at the state line about fifteen miles east of this 
city. In 1870 the Valley Railroad company, whose line extends from 
this city to the western terminus of the D., L. & W., was opened for 
traffic; but previous to the formal opening, on April 15, 1869, the road 
was leased to the D., L. & W. company and is now operated as part of 
its main line. 

The New York, Lackawanna and Western Railroad company was 
chartered August 24, 1880, for the purpose of building a line of rail- 
road from the western terminus of the Valley R. R. company's road at 
Binghamton to the city of Buffalo. In other words, the purpose of the 
new road was to furnish the D., L. & W. company with a through line 
from New York city to Buffalo, and thence to the west; and fortunate 



280 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

indeed it was for this city that the enterprise was carried to a success- 
ful end. The Lackawanna system has been an important factor in the 
progressive history of our city during the period of its operation. Sixty 
miles of the road were completed and opened in 1881, and in the follow- 
ing year the entire line was put in operation. The N. Y. , L. & W. 
road was leased to the D., L. & W. company October 2, 1882. 

STREET RAILROADS. 

Few cities in the country can boast of a more complete or efficient 
system of electric street railways than Binghamton, yet we have only 
to look back less than ten years to the time when the several separate 
lines in operation were using horses and mules as a motive power, and 
making slow speed indeed in comparison with the rapid service furnish- 
ed by our modern system. This complete revolution has come chiefly 
since 1890, and represents weeks and months of tireless energy, with 
many sleepless nights to those who were most actively engaged in the 
enterprise. If it were possible that General Whitney, Mason Whiting, 
Dr. Ely or any other of the more prominent ©f our pioneers could now 
visit the city and observe the wonderful changes that have taken place 
since their time, it is doubtful if any of them could find words to ade- 
quately express his thoughts; and if they could stand for a single 
hour on any of our principal business streets and witness the frequent 
rapid passage of the electric cars, not one of the worthy pioneers would 
recognize this city as the scene of their former residence and service 
when Binghamton had hardly enough dwellings to be dignified with the 
name of village. How interesting it would be if Major Morgan, found- 
er and proprietor of the line of stages which made Binghamton famous 
three-quarters of a century ago, could make a trip to Union on the B., 
L. & U. cars, passing over substantially the route followed by his stage 
drivers in journeying to Owego. If we of the present day are frequent- 
ly amazed at the wonderful advancement of our city during the last 
score of years, how could we intelligently comprehend the feelings and 
expressions of the pioneers if they could return and witness the changes 
which have been wrought since their time? 

Binghamton enjoys the distinction of having been the first city in the 
state to adopt electricity as a motive power on its street car lines. In 
March, 1887, the Washington street, State Asylum and Park line was 
equipped with Van Depoele motor cars, and was successfully operated. 
None of the old style motors are still in use, although nearly all the 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 281 

cars are now supplied with more powerful and modern appliances. In 
1890 three lines of street railroad were operated with electricity. Three 
more were added to the number in 1892, three in 1893, one in 1894, 
one in 1895, and two in 1896. However, let us look briefly at the origin 
of our street car system, and then trace its subsequent growth and 
enlargement. 

The Binghamton and Port Dickinson Railroad company, the first in- 
stitution of its kind in the city, was chartered by act of the legislature, 
passed May 6, 1868, and was authorized to build and operate a line of 
street railway through Court and Main streets from the Kirkwood town 
line on the east to the Union line on the west, with a branch road from 
the corner of Court and Chenango streets north through the latter street 
to Port Dickinson. The original intention of the promoters of the road 
was not fully carried out, and the line was at first built from west end 
through Main, Court and Chenango streets to Port Dickinson, and a 
little later was extended to the Union town line,* or to Lestershire as 
now known. The main line was put in operation in 1873. On June 
25, 1893, electricity replaced horse power on this line. 

The incorporators of the B. & P. D. R. R. company were Sherman D. 
Phelps, John E. Sampson, Harvey Westcott, George W. Stow, Benja- 
min De Voe, Norman A. Phelps, Barna R. Johnson, Erastus Ross, J. 
Stuart Wells, Ransom Balcom, Giles W. Hotchkiss, Nelson Stow and 
Charles McKinney. The first directors were Judge Phelps, president; 
Barna R. Johnson, vice-president; Benjamin De Voe, secretary ; Tracy 
R. Morgan, treasurer, and Norman A. Phelps, J. Stuart Wells, Erastus 
Ross, Harvey Westcott, Charles McKinney, Lewis Seymour, William 
Ogden, Alexander E. Andrews and David L. Brownson. This road 
was consolidated with the B. S. R. R. Co., August 11, 1892, under the 
name of Binghamton Railroad company. 

The Washington Street and State Asylum Railroad company was in- 
corporated October 21, 1871, with $40,000 capital, and was authorized 
to build and operate a street railroad from the south end of Washington 
street, near the covered bridge (as then known), to the New York State 
Inebriate asylum, in the town of Binghamton, a distance of 3.54 miles. 
The first directors were Darius S. Ayers, William R. Osborne, Freder- 
ick Lewis, Charles O. Root, James B. Weed, George Whitney, Warren 
N. Bennett, Thomas W. Whitney, Joseph E. Ely, George W. Stow, 
De Witt C. McGraw, Melvin C. Rockwell and Emory Truesdell. The 
road was operated as a separate line until 1887, when it was consoli- 



282 BINGHAMTON ITS SETTLEMENT. 

dated with the Park Avenue road, and was afterward operated by the 
Washington Street, State Asylum and Park Avenue railroad company. 

The Park Avenue Railroad company was incorporated June 7, 1881, 
with $10,000 capital, and with authority to build and operate a street 
railroad from the southern terminus of the W. S. & S. A. road through 
De Russey and South Main (now Vestal avenue) streets and Park 
avenue to the entrance to Ross park. The first directors were Erastus 
Ross, Alonzo C. Matthews, Delancey M. Halbert, David L. Brownson, 
William Trebby, jr., Matthew Hays, Burton M. Babcock, Edward A. 
Matthews, Frederick E. Ross, Eli S. Meeker, Duncan R. Grant, John 
Evans and Isaiah S. Matthews. The road was operated in conjunction 
with the State Asylum road until August 20, 1887, when they were con- 
solidated under the name of Washington Street, State Asylum and Park 
railroad. The first directors of the consolidated company were Samuel 
M. Nash, president; George Whitney, vice-president; Ira J. Meagley, 
secretary; Fred E. Ross, treasurer, and Burton M. Babcock, George F. 
O'Neil and B. H. Nelson. Superintendent, Henry Wilcox. 

The City Railway company was incorporated February 26, 1883, 
with $30,000 capital, and was authorized to build and operate a line of 
street railroad fro.n the corner of Court and Washington streets, through 
Washington, Ferry, Front and Clinton streets, to the Berkshire road, a 
distance of three miles. The incorporators were Erastus Ross, Alonzo 
C. Matthews, F. E. Ross, Rozelle H. Meagley, William Trebby, jr., 
Dan S. Richards, Frank S. Beard. Joseph P. Noyes, Edward A. Mat- 
thews, Charles A.Whitney, Matthew Hays, George A. Kent and Charles 
Davis. This road was the result of the individual enterprise of Rozelle 
H. Meagley, and therefore became known as the " Meagley road." It 
was at the time a hazardous undertaking and called for a considerable 
outlay of money, and also the exhibition of much public-spiritednesson 
the part of the incorporators; but the road was carried into successful 
operation and had the effect of developing and bringing into market a 
large territory in the northwestern portion of the city. This company 
built the Spring Forest Cemetery line in 1884, and in October, 1889, 
extended the road from its western terminus through Glenwood avenue 
to Prospect street. 

The Binghamton Central Railroad company was incorporated Febru- 
ary 26, 1883, with $35,000 capital, and with authority to build and main- 
tain a street railroad from the intersection of Pearneand Liberty streets 
to State street across Chenango street ; thence through State to Susque- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 383 

hanna street; thence to Carroll street; thence to South street; thence to 
the Rockbottom bridge; thence to Liberty street; thence to Henry 
street; thence to Division street; thence to Lewis street; thence to State 
street. The articles of incorporation also contemplated a short branch 
line of road on Susquehanna street between State and Washington 
streets. This road, had it been built in accordance with the original 
intention of its promoters would have been what once was called the 
" Belt line," but the plans were changed after the company was organ- 
ized. It now forms part of several lines of the general system of the 
Consolidated company. The incorporators of the B. C. R. R. Co. were 
Charles O. Root, George L. Crandall, Alonzo Everts, Charles M. Stone, 
S. Mills Ely, James B. Weed, Luke Doolittle, Harmon J. Kneeland, 
Charles J. Bartlett, Watson A. Heath, Nelson Stow, Charles Warner 
and John Linnahan. The officers were George L. Crandall, president; 
Nelson Stow, vice-president; Charles O. Root, secretary, and Harmon 
J. Kneeland, treasurer. This company built the Orphans' Home line 
of road in 1885. 

The Binghamton Street Railroad company was incorporated February 
15, 1890, and was a consolidation of the W. S., S. A. & P., the B. C. 
and the City Railroad companies under the name first mentioned, with 
an authorized capital of $1,600,000. The first directors were Jerome B. 
Landfield, G. Tracy Rogers, Gustave Stickley, George Whitney, Theo- 
dore S. Rogers, John P. E. Clark and Charles O. Root. The first 
officers were Jerome B. Landfield, president; Gustave Stickley, vice- 
president; Charles O. Root, secretary; G. Tracy Rogers, treasurer and 
general manager, and John P. E. Clark, superintendent. With this 
consolidation and reorganization of company interests the street rail- 
roads of the city were placed on a thoroughly substantial basis for the 
first time in their history. The new directors and officers were men of 
energy and determination, and were fully equal to the task of building 
up a general system, increasing its carrying capacity and its general 
service to the public. Mr. Landfield, the president, was a man of means 
and of excellent business qualifications, and was a fortunately chosen 
leader in the new enterprise. With Mr. Rogers as general manager, 
and Mr. Clark, as superintendent, new, young and determined spirit 
was infused into the company, and under their prudent and energetic 
action success was assured almost from the beginning. In the light of 
subsequent events, after our citizens have had the opportunity to ob- 
serve the business management of the road by these young men for a 



284 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

period of ten years, the statement just made cannot truthfully be con- 
tradicted. Both Mr. Rogers and Mr. Clark have taken a prominent 
place among the successful street railroad men of the state and of the 
country. The personnel of the board of directors above mentioned was 
practically maintained throughout the period of existence of the Bing- 
hamton Street Railroad company. 

In August, 1890, an extension of the lines controlled by the B. S. R. 
R, company was authorized and in pursuance thereof it was proposed 
to build another road to Port Dickinson, utilizing the old Chenango 
canal bed for that purpose; also to build a new line through Henry, 
Eldredge and Beman streets, as well as State street. The project was 
not fully carried out, yet enough was done to add to the efficiency of 
the lines then in operation and increase the value of the general 
system. 

The Binghamton Railroad company, the corporation now owning and 
operating all the several lines of street railroads in the city, was the re- 
sult of the consolidation of the Binghamton and Port Dickinson Railroad 
company with the Binghamton Street Railroad company, which was 
effected August 11, 1892. The first directors were G. Tracy Rogers, 
president; John Evans. 1st vice-president; Jerome B. Landfield, 2d 
vice-president; Charles O. Root, secretary; John B. Rogers, treasurer; 
John P. E. Clark, general manager, and Charles J. Knapp. Fred. E. 
Ross, George Whitney and Theodore S. Rogers. 

On March 31, 1894, the Court street and East End Railroad company 
and the West Side Railway company were consolidated with the Bing- 
hamton Railroad company. The certificate of consolidation and incor- 
poration was filed in the office of the secretary of state, at Albany, May 
1, 1894, which being done, all the lines of street railroad in the city were 
united under one management. The directors at that time were 
Jerome B. Landfield, G. Tracy Rogers, John Evans, Charles J. Knapp, 
F. E. Ross, George Whitney, Theo. S. Rogers, and John P. E. Clark, 
of Binghamton, and Arthur Beves, of New York city. The officers 
were G. Tracy Rogers, president; John Evans, 1st vice president; 
Jerome B. Landfield, 2d vice-president; Charles O. Root, secretary; 
John B. Rogers, treasurer; John P. E. Clark, general manager; Samuel 
E. Monroe, engineer. Mr, Landfield succeeded to the 1st vice-presi- 
dency October 4, 1895, and on the same day Joseph M. Johnson was 
chosen secretary in place of Charles O. Root. 

The Court street and East End Railroad company, of which mention 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 285 

is made in the preceding- paragraph, was incorporated March 23, 1886, 
with a capital of $25,000, for the purpose of building and operating a 
street railway from the intersection of Hawley and Washington streets, 
thence through Hawley, Collier and Court Streets to a point where the 
road leading from the Asylum building touches Court street. The 
directors of the company were Charles M. Stone, Oilman L. Sessions, 
Dudley T. Finch, George L. Crandall, James B. Arnold, William G. 
Phelps and Benajah S. Curran. The road was in fact built by Mr. 
Stone and Mr. Phelps. It was operated under the company's man- 
agement until March 31, 1894, when it was consolidated with the 
system owned by the B. R, Co. 

The West Side Street Railway company was incorporated September 
24, 1887, with $25,00) capital, and was authorized to build and main- 
tain a line of street railroad from the intersection of Main and Oak 
streets, through Oak and Le Roy streets, to the western city boundary. 
The first directors were J. Edward Shapley, Samuel M. Nash, George 
F. O'Neil, William J. Welsh, Rozelle H. Meagley, Frederick E. Ross 
and Michael McMahon. On March 31, 1894, this road was consolidated 
with the general system managed by the B. R. Co., as is mentioned in 
a preceding paragraph. 

The Binghamton, Lestershire and Union Railroad company was in- 
corporated October 19, 1894, for the purpose of building and operating 
a line of street railroad from the village of Lestershire to the village of 
Union, a distance of six miles. The incorporators were Jerome B. 
Landfield, John Evans, John P, E. Clark, George Whitney, John B. 
Rogers, Frederick E. Ross, Charles J. Knapp, Theodore S. Rogers, G. 
Tracy Rogers, Harry C. Ross, Edmund O'Connor, George W. Dunn, 
Francis W. Downs, Joseph M. Johnson, George E. Green, Cyrus 
Strong, William H. Male, J. S. Suydam, C. A. Baldwin, H . C. Evans 
and James B. McEwan. The first directors were Jerome B. Landfield, 
president; John Evans, vice president; Joseph M. Johnson, secretary; 
John B. Rogers, treasurer; John P. E. Clark, manager and superin- 
tendent, and George Whitney, F. E. Ross, Charles J. Knapp and 
Arthur S. Beves. Upon the death of John Evans, G. Tracy Rogers 
was elected vice-president of the company; other than that there has 
not been any material change in the officiary. The present directors 
are Jerome B. Landfield, G. Tracy Rogers, John P. E. Clark, Joseph 
M. Johnson, F. E. Ross, Theo. S. Rogers, George E. Green, John B. 
Rogers and Chas. J. Knapp. 



286 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

As is well known, the city railroad lines previous to 1887 were oper- 
ated with horse power. In the year mentioned electricity was first 
used in this city as a motive power for propelling street cars, was 
afterward discontinued and subsequently restored. In this connec- 
tion it may be of interest to note the date when the various horse lines 
were replaced with electric motors: Park and Asylum and Pearne 
street lines, March, 1890; Orphans' Home, August 16, 1890; Spring 
Forest and Glenwood, October 13, 1893; North Chenango, December 
10, 1892; Lestershire, March 3, 1893; Le Roy street. May 27, 1893; 
Port Dickinson, June 25, 1893; Broad Avenue, July 14, 1894; Bing- 
hamton, Lestershire and Union, November 20, 1895; Front street, 
October 10, 1896; Floral avenue, December 14, 1896. 

BRIDGES. 

In 1808, by an act of the legislature the Susquehanna Bridge com- 
pany, a body corporate, chartered and organized for the purpose of 
building and maintaining a toll bridge across the Susquehanna at 
" Okquago," was authorized to build a similar structure across the 
Chenango river at Chenango Point, and to operate and maintain the 
same under the name of the Chenango Bridge company. As a matter 
of fact the " Nevisink " turnpike road company was the governing 
spirit of this enterprise. In the year mentioned the company proposed 
to extend its turnpike from Kingston to the east branch of the Dela- 
ware river, thereto connect with a branch road from the "Cookhouse" 
to Chenango Point. It is understood that the Susquehanna Bridge 
company was comprised of stockholders in the turnpike company, hence 
they also were the incorporators of the original Chenango Bridge com- 
pany and the principal owners of its stock. The bridge was built in 
1808 by Marshall Lewis and Lewis Thurston under the direction and 
at the apparent expense of Lucas Elmendorf, of Kingston, who, it is 
understood, in fact represented the turnpike company. The bridge was 
600 feet long, including substantial frame approaches at either end of 
the structure proper. On the eastern side of the river the approach ex- 
tended nearly half way to Water street and in some places was consider- 
ably elevated above the buildings along the street. The entire struc- 
ture is said to have cost $6,000. 

In the course of twelve or fifteen years the personnel of the company 
was materially changed, and residents of Binghamton became owners 
of the stock. In 1825 a second bridge was built on the site of the older 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 287 

Structure, the work being done by Hazard Lewis under the supervision 
of General Whitney, This bridge was carried away by the extraordi- 
nary freshet of March 16-17, 1865, and at the same time the bridge owned 
by the Binghamton Bridge company was also swept away. Sometime 
during the night of March 16 the waters of the Chenango became so 
swollen that the east half of the upper bridge was carried from its piers, 
and in floating down the river it struck and destroyed half of the Che- 
nango bridge. On the morning of the 17th the west half of each bridge 
was ruined in the same manner. 

Soon after the destruction of these bridges the action entitled " the 
Chenango Bridge company agst. Paige, et als." (the defendants repre- 
senting the Lewis estate interest in the Binghamton Bridge company) 
was begun in the supreme court, the plaintiffs claiming damage for the 
loss of their bridge and tolls by reason of the defendants' unlawful acts 
in erecting a toll bridge within two miles of plaintifiEs' bridge and main- 
taining the same in contravention of plaintiffs' exclusive rights under 
its charter. The case dragged its weary course along through the state 
courts and into the United States supreme coart before final determina- 
tion; but in the meantime commissioners representing the town of 
Binghamton had acquired the property of the Chenango Bridge com- 
pany. 

On March 25, 1865, the legislature passed an act designating Jared 
D. Sessions, J. Stuart Wells and Francis T. Newell commissioners to 
negotiate fo'r and purchase in behalf of the town of Binghamton all the 
lands, privileges and franchises of the Chenango Bridge company and 
the Binghamton Bridge company for the purpose of establishing free 
bridges across the Chenango in the village. The commissioners acted 
with commendable promptness and soon secured the property of the 
Chenango Bridge company, but not of the Binghamton Bridge com- 
pany, whose representatives were struggling under the adverse judg- 
ment of the state courts. In the same year (1865) the commissioners 
above mentioned caused a substantial full street width frame bridge to be 
built across the Chenango, connecting Court and Main streets, at a total 
cost of $38,000. The structure was built after plans prepared by Isaac G. 
Perry. It stood the wear of time and constant use until 1889, when it 
was replaced with the present full-deck iron bridge which was built by 
the Berlin Bridge company, at a total cost of $75,875. The town of 
Binghamton was not required to pay any part of the cost of this bridge, 
having been specially released from such liability by an act of the leg- 
islature passed April 26, 1886. 



288 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

The Binghamton Bridge company, of which frequent mention is 
made in preceding paragraphs, and which was the innocent cause of 
years of bitter and expensive litigation, was incorporated April 5, 1855, 
with $10,000 capital, and with authority to construct and for a period 
of forty years maintain a toll bridge across the Chenango river, at a 
point not less than eighty rods above the Chenango bridge, and south 
of the New York and Erie Railroad bridge. The act designated Daniel 
S. Dickinson, Erasmus D. Robinson, Edward C. Kattell, Henry Mather 
and Morgan S. Lewis commissioners to receive subscriptions to the 
stock. Hazard Lewis was the principal promoter of the company, and 
the builder of the bridge under a contract with the company. He was 
one of the original directors, and was president of the company from 
1858 to the time of his death, July 2, 1863. 

The bridge was built in 1855, and stood until carried away by the 
disastrous flood of March, 1865. Then, for a period of six years the 
residents of the upper part of the First ward, as well as all others who 
had occasion to visit that locality from the east side of the river, were 
compelled to cross the Court street bridge or hazard the uncertainties 
of an inconvenient ferry. However, when Colonel Walton Dwight 
began his splendid work of building up Dickinson's brook meadow loca- 
tion, he, with a few other public-spirited citizens, set out to secure a 
new bridge on the site of the former structure. The result was in the 
erection of a bow-string girder suspension bridge, 360 feet long in a 
single span, at a total cost of $28,000. It was built in 1871 and gave 
excellent service until about 1896, when it was condemned as unsafe. 

The present Ferry street bridge was built by the city in 1897, and 
cost $49,339.48. It is a four span, iron structure, 353.50 feet long, of 
full street width, with asphalt driveway and walks. 

The white bridge across the Susquehanna river, connecting Water 
street with the Montrose turnpike, was a historic structure in early vil- 
lage history. On April 21, 1825, an act of the legislature authorized 
Christopher Eldredge and John A. Collier, their heirs and assigns, to 
build and maintain at their own expense a toll bridge, not less than 
eighteen feet wide, near the termination of Second street (Washington 
street was once known as Second street). The act forbade the con- 
struction of any other bridge, or the maintenance of a ferry, across the 
Susquehanna within three miles of the proposed structure. In accord- 
ance with the authority conferred by the act the first bridge was built 
by Hazard Lewis, under the direction of proprietors Eldredge and Col- 
lier, the work being done in 1825-26. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 289 

After about three years of successful management the owners of the 
bridge determined to organize a stock company, and to that end pro- 
cured an act of the legislature, passed January 31, 1829, by which the 
Susquehanna Bridge company of the village of Binghamton was duly 
incorporated. The incorporators were Christopher Eldredge, John A. 
Collier, Elihu Ely, Hazard Lewis, Gilbert Tompkins, Myron Merrill, 
■Lewis St. John, Martin Hawley and Julius Page. 

In the spring of 1843 the south half of the white bridge was carried 
away by an ice flood, but the loss was not seriously felt by the stock- 
holders as the structure was old and somewhat weakened by constant 
use. It was at once replaced with the famous old covered bridge, the 
latter having been built for the company by Robert Carman, at a con- 
siderable financial loss to the builder. The bridge was about 700 feet 
long. 

An act of the legislature passed April 15, 1869, designated Hurd F. 
Brownson and John W. Cutler, of the town of Binghamton, and J. 
Stuart Wells, of the city, commissioners to negotiate the purchase of 
the property, rights and franchise of the Susquehanna Bridge company 
and also of the Rockbottom Bridge company. They were authorized 
to pay not more than $13,000 for the former and not more than $5,000 
for the latter property. Under this authority the title to both bridges 
became vested in the city, but the act of 1886 released the town of 
Binghamton from future expense on account of either structure. In 
1882 the old bridge was declared to be unsafe, and the roof was removed 
to lighten the weight upon its timbers, but notwithstanding that, it soon 
gave way to a new and more substantial structure. 

The present Washington street bridge was authorized by an act of the 
legislature, passed April 20, 1886, by which George A. Thayer, Dudley 
T. Finch and Burton M. Babcock were appointed commissioners to pro- 
cure plans and cause the erection of a bridge connecting Washington 
and De Russey streets, at a cost not exceeding $33,000. The bridge 
was built in 1886, by the Berlin Bridge company. It is of iron, 495 feet 
long, and cost $38,077.87. 

The Rockbottom Bridge company was originally incorporated April 
1, 1853, with $10,000 capital, and with authority to construct and main- 
tain a toll bridge across the Susquehanna river between the Fifth and 
Sixth wards of the village. William D. Morris, Capt. Marinus Pierce, 
Cyrus Strong, jr., and Horatio Evans were appointed commissioners to 
receive stock subscriptions. The company organized in pursuance of 
19 



290 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

the act mentioned, but afterwards became insolvent and dissolved. It 
was succeeded by a new company under the same name, the latter be- 
ing created by an act of the legislature passed April 21, 1862. The new 
incorporators were Col. Joseph B. Abbott, Horatio Evans, Eli Pratt, 
Allen Perkins and Benjamin N. Loomis, who purchased the property 
and franchise of the defunct concern, and also purchased the Tompkins 
bridge at the head of Court street, the latter by its competition having 
proved the financial ruin of the old Rockbottom company. The avail- 
able timbers of the upper bridge were used to strengthen the lower 
structure, and as a toll bridge the latter was maintained until the pas- 
sage of the free bridge act of April 15, 1869. This act authorized the 
payment of $5,000 for the company's interest in the property, thus 
indicating that the bridge was not specially valuable. 

The present Rockbottom bridge was built by the city in 1874, the 
work being done by the King Iron Bridge and Manufacturing com- 
pany, of Cleveland, Ohio. It is 550 feet long, and cost $35,193.97. 

The East Court street bridge was built in 1856 by Edward Tompkins 
in pursuance of an act of the legislature authorizing its construction. 
Mr. Tompkins was the owner of a large tract of land in the eastern 
portion of the village south of the Susquehanna and the erection of a 
bridge across the river at the mouth of the Brandywine creek was a 
part of his grand scheme of development, although tolls were regularly 
exacted from all who had occasion to cross the bridge. But it appears 
that Mr. Tompkins had not the means to carry out his project, and his 
affairs eventually passed into the hands of Barzilla Marvin for settle- 
ment with creditors. About 1864 the bridge was sold to the Rockbot- 
tom Bridge company, by whom it was taken down. 

Although the inhabitants of Tompkins ville suffered many inconven- 
iences through the removal of the " Tompkins Bridge," as it was call- 
ed, no effort was made to secure another structure until the latter part 
of 1898-9, when the taxpayers generously voted an appropriation for a 
new bridge. In 1899 a contract for construction was made between the 
city and the Groton Bridge company for the erection of the present 
Tompkins street bridge on the site of the old Tompkins bridge. The- 
cost of the new structure, which is in course of erection, is to be 
$34,978.30. 

The Binghamton Foot Bridge company was incorporated April 1, 1865. 
Under the act authority was granted to William Stuart and Augustus 
L. Harding to build for the company a foot bridge across the Susque- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 291 

hanna at the foot of Exchange street. Nothing, however, was accom- 
plished by the company under its charter, neither was anything done 
by the Central Bridge company, which was incorporated April 18, 1866, 
for the purpose of constructing a drive bridge at the same point. In 
1874 a party of public spirited citizens raised $2,500 by subscription, 
and with that sum of money a reasonably secure foot bridge was built 
at the point mentioned. Soon afterward the structure was blown down 
by a severe wind, but it was soon rebuilt, and was used until 1880 when 
its was carried away by the spring ice freshet. 

The present Exchange street foot bridge was erected in 1882, at a 
cost of $4,500. It has four spans and a total length of 387 feet. 

The Pierce Creek bridge was built by the city in 1893, and cost 
$3, 588. 88. Its length is 55. 75 feet. 

The De Forest street bridge was built by the city in 1897, and cost 
$25,238.73. It has two spans and a length of 392 feet. 



CHAPTER XV. 

PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 

The Inebriate Asylum. — The first application to the legislature for a 
charter for the Inebriate Asylum was made in 1852, and was renewed in 
1853, both at the regular and an extra session. The charter was final- 
ly granted in 1854, with amendments in 1855, '57, '59, '61, '64, '65 and 
'66. In 1867, Dr. Willard Parker, president of the board of trustees, 
conveyed the property to the state. 

The original name of the institution under the charter of 1854 was 
the " United States Inebriate Asylum," but by the amendment of 1857 
the name was changed to " The New York State Inebriate Asylum," 
by which it was afterward known throughout the period of its history. 
The institution was founded by Dr. Jonathan Edward Turner, with 
the assistance of Dr. Thomas Jefferson Gardner. According to the 
scheme of the founder, the asylum was to be established and maintained 
by a fund created by voluntary subscriptions from all parts of the 
United States; each subscriber to receive one share of stock for each 
ten dollars contributed, and to have a voice in electing a board of 



293 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

trustees, the latter to have direct control of the institution and 
property. 

The first board of trustees was organized May 15, 1854, when John 
D. Wright was elected president, Newell A. Prince, registrar, and J. 
Edward Turner, treasurer. At the same time the trustees issued an 
appeal to the public, asking for contributions to the stock, and in this 
way the original building fund was created. The committee on location, 
comprising Chancellor Walworth, Ex-Governor Hunt, Judge Balcom 
and Dr. Turner, at a meeting held in New York city. May 19, 1858, 
decided to accept the offer made by the village of Binghamton of 252 
acres of land on the east boundary of the corporation. The excavation 
for the foundation of the main building was begun June 17, 1858, the 
masonry on July 15, and the corner stone was laid on Friday, Septem- 
ber 24, of the same year. 

This event was perhaps the most important occasion in the history 
of the institution, and was performed with full Masonic ceremony by 
John L. Lewis, jr., grand master of the state of New York. The other 
participants on the occasion were Rev. Dr. Beach, prayer; Benjamin 
F. Butler, president of the corporation, address; John W. Francis, M. 
D., LL. D., address; Rev. Henry Bellows, D. D., address; Daniel S. 
Dickinson, address; Edward Everett, remarks; Alfred B. Street, poem; 
Newell A. Prince, benediction. 

The asylum building was erected after plans prepared by Isaac G. 
Perry, then an architect of New York city, but afterward of Bingham- 
ton. At the outset some doubt was expressed by the trustees as to the 
advisability of entrusting a work of such importance and magnitude to 
so young an architect as Mr. Perry was at that time; but Drs. Turner and 
Gardner, whose influence with the trustees was supreme, knew the 
capacity and quality of the young architect, while in the board itself 
Mr. Perry had several warm friends. That his work was well done 
was fully shown in the fact that the original plan was never modified 
in any respect during the work of construction ; and to-day, after a 
lapse of more than forty years, the main structure is still as firm and 
secure on its foundation as when first built. The building was a marvel 
of beauty in its time and now is one of the most attractive edifices in 
the state. It was designed after the castellated gothic style of archi- 
tecture, with towers, turrets and buttresses heavily embattled at the 
top. 

The work of construction was pressed with such energy that patients 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 298 

were received for treatment in 1860, but in the meantime the funds in the 
hands of the trustees were nearly exhausted, while contributions to 
the stock came very slow. Therefore, in their emergency the trustees 
had recourse to the legislature in an application for an appropriation. 
This at first met with disapproval, but finally an act was passed appro- 
priating for the benefit of the institution ten per cent, of all excise 
moneys received by the state. In this way the state became directly 
connected with the asylum. Indeed, the original charter provided that 
in case the institution should cease to be occupied for its intended pur- 
pose, and should be closed, the charter should thereupon forfeit to the 
state. In the course of time dissensions worked themselves into the 
councils of the trustees and bitter feelings arose between the majority 
of the board and the founder. The culmination of trouble was reached 
in 1867, when the asylum was declared closed and the president of the 
board. Dr. Willard Parker, conveyed the entire property to the state 
for the consideration of one dollar. Litigation followed and the ques- 
tions involved were contested in the courts several years, with final 
judgment for the state. In 1879, by an act of the legislature, the New 
York State Inebriate Asylum was changed into an asylum for the 
insane. 

Dr. Turner, the founder and controlling spirit of the institution, was 
removed from his office in 1866. Four times during the period of its 
history the institution suffered loss by fire: First, in 1863, when the 
carpenter shop and machinery were burned, with 250,030 feet of cherry 
lumber, fifty cherry bedsteads and as many wardrobes; second, in the 
same year, when a fire destroyed the inside blinds and a quantity of 
cherry lumber; third, in 1864, when the north wing of the main build- 
ing was burned, for which the insurance companies paid a loss of $81-, 
000; fourth, in 1869, when the rear buildings were destroyed. Dr. 
Turner was charged with having willfully set fire to the buildings on 
the occasion last mentioned, and was indicted for arson. He was tried 
in Binghamton, and was promptly acquitted. 

The presidents of the board of trustees of the New York State Ine- 
briate asylum during the period of its history were as follows : John 
D. Wright, 1854-57; Benjamin F. Butler, 1857-59; Reuben H. Wal- 
worth, 1859-60; John W. Francis, 1860, one month; Dr. Valentine 
Mott, 1861-65; Dr. Williard Parker, 1866-67. 

The Susquehanna Valley Home for Orphan and Indigent Children.^ — 

' Taken largely from a historical sketch prepared by Mrs. C. D. Middlebrook. 



294 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

It is altogether fitting that the Susquehanna Valley Home crowns the 
fairest eminence in the eastern portion of our city, for there are light 
and hope for the future in its very existence. All Binghamton has 
pride in its work and well-being, and is so familiar with its life-saving 
mission that it gives quick response to any appeal to meet its neces- 
sities. 

It is the oldest of our city charities, and to Dr. John G. Orton is ac- 
credited the thought which developed into plans and but waited its op- 
portunity to create a home for destitute and orphan children who were 
then herded together with adult paupers in all our poor houses. The 
opportunity came in 1869, when Wheeler H. Bristol, then state treas- 
urer, learned that a sum of money which the state had at one time ap- 
propriated for the education of indigent children had not been drawn 
by the several counties to which it had been allotted, and had therefore 
lapsed into the state treasury. A successful effort was made to secure 
the money for the maintenance of indigent children, and the Susque- 
hanna Valley Home was no longer a thought, but a fact. For two years 
it was housed in the building then known as Place college (originally 
Susquehanna seminary) but now known as St. Mary's Roman Catholic 
Orphan asylum. Dr. Orton was chosen president of the first board of 
managers, and Mrs. Henry Mather, president of the women's assistant 
board, which was organized the same year. 

Associated with Dr. Orton were the following persons: Abel Bennett, 
William R. Osborn, William E. Taylor, William M. Ely, Dr. Franklin T. 
Maybury, J. Stuart Wells, Benjamin N. Loomis, Charles McKinney, 
Moses T. Morgan and Charles A. Whitney. These persons comprised 
the first board of managers. 

In 1871 the present site, including forty-five acres of land, which had 
previously been a private residence, was purchased by the managers 
for the sum of $19,000, they becoming personally responsible for the 
payment. However, in the course of a few years the managers found 
themselves burdened with a heavy debt, in consequence of which their 
noble charity was threatened with possible dissolution. In this emer- 
gency our member of assembly — George Sherwood — by the most per- 
sistent and almost unaided effort secured an appropriation of $15,000 
from the state with which to pay the indebtedness. From that time 
(1874-75) the finances of the institution have been prudently managed 
and the home has ever been prosperous. Meanwhile, however, a work 
has been accomplished by the assistant managers, of which the public 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 2d5 

knows little, but which is worthy of mention. In 1873 they raised 
$1,500 to meet pressing indebtedness and pay current expenses; and 
during- the period of their connection with the home they have contrib- 
uted for various purposes an aggregate of more than $7,000. The 
board of assistant managers comprises ladies from this city, and also 
from Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Steuben, Sullivan and Tioga 
counties. Their officers are Mrs. Charles D. Middlebrook, president; 
Mrs. George M. Harris and Mrs. Charles M. Stone, vice presidents; 
Mrs. Le Roy D. Farnham, treasurer; Mrs. Charles C. Eastman, record- 
ing secretary ; Mrs. William G. Phelps, corresponding secretary. 

Children are admitted to the home by the authorities of the several 
counties, each jurisdiction paying for maintenance at the rate of $1.75 
per week for each child. This sum provides board, clothes and educa- 
tion. The present number of inmates is 130. The buildings comprise 
the home proper and school, the chapel and the hospital. 

In addition to the charter members of the board of managers, whose 
names are mentioned in a preceding paragraph, the office of manager 
has also been held by Jeremiah Dean, Joseph E. Ely and Robert J. 
Bates, all of whom are now dead. 

The present board of managers is constituted as follows: Joseph P. 
Noyes, president; J. Stuart Wells, vice-president; Alonzo C. Matthews, 
treasurer; Charles A. Wilkinson, secretary, and Dr. John G. Orton, 
Erastus C. Delavan, William H. Stilwell, William J. Welsh, George 
Sherwood. Newton W. Edson, superintendent; Mrs. Eunice Edson, 
matron; Dr. Joseph H. Chittenden, physician. 

The office of president has been filled by Dr. John G. Orton, Abel 
Bennett and Joseph P. Noyes. The superintendents, in succession, 
have been Samuel Lee, August, 1869-June, 1871; A. C. Van Epps, 
June, 1871-May, 1872; Almond R. Payne, May, 1872-May, 1873; Sam- 
uel J. Northrup, May, 1873-May, 1878; A. H. La Monte, May, 1878- 
May, 1888; Newton W. Edson, May, 1888-1900. 

St. Mary's Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum was incorporated March 
6, 1878, under the general statute, and was designed to protect, care for 
and educate popr and destitute children of both sexes under eighteen 
years of age, committed by overseers of the poor or by parents or 
guardians. The purposes of this commendable charity have been fully 
carried out, and it is now regarded as one of the most worthy institu- 
tions in the southern tier. For a time the trustees rented the water 
cure property on Mount Prospect, but soon afterward purchased from 



296 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Abel Bennett the Susquehanna seminary building and grounds, in- 
cluding about ten acres of land, for all of which was paid the sum of 
$23,000. The purchase was made in 1881. The building was re- 
modeled to suit its new occupancy. 

St. Mary's Home, as it is commonly known, is conducted on the plan 
of management of the Susquehanna Valley Home, and receives a like 
compensation of $1.75 per week for each child sent to it. The business 
affairs are in charge of a board of trustees, while the immediate care of 
the children is entrusted to the Sisters of St. Joseph. The late vener- 
able Father Hourigan, pastor of St. Patrick's church, was chiefly in- 
strumental in founding the institution and establishing its business 
affairs on a safe basis. 

The incorporators of the Home association were William S. Smith, 
Matthew Hays, Carlos Cortesy, Dennis J. Sullivan, Timothy Good, 
Rev. Nicholas J. Quinn, James Prendergast, John A. McNamara and 
Dennis J. Dowden. Mr, McNamara for several years held the office of 
president of the board, after which the bishop of the diocese assumed 
charge and placed the management more directly under the sisters of 
St. Joseph. The business affairs, however, of the Home are conducted 
by a board of trustees or managers, the personnel of the present 
board being as follows: Rev. John J. McDonald, president; Rev. 
Nicholas J. Quinn, vice-president; Dr. Edward Mulheron, secretary; 
Francis W. Downs, treasurer, and George F. O'Neil, William Shanley 
and Matthew Hays. 

The Chapel and House of tlie Good Shepherd was incorporated Janu- 
ary 25, 1870, the object of its founders being to establish and maintain 
in Binghamton a free chapel for religious worship according to the prin- 
ciples and forms of the Episcopal Church, and also to found and main- 
tain a charitable home or refuge and shelter for infirm persons, or per- 
sons in destitute circumstances by orphanage or old age; including the 
temporary cradling of infants and small children while their mothers 
were at their daily work. 

The incorporators were Mrs. Helen S. Wright, Rev. William A. 
Hitchcock, Rev. Walter Ayrault, Rev. Amos B. Beach, William R. 
Osborne and Frederick Lewis. The incorporators, except Mrs. Wright, 
comprised the first board of trustees. As is well known throughout 
the city, the House of the Good Shepherd was founded chiefly through 
the liberality of Mrs. Wright, and the buildings were largely erected 
and furnished through her gifts. Mrs. Wright is the widow of the late 
Thomas D. Wright and the daughter of the late John A. Collier. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 297 

The House of the Good Shepherd is one of the worthy charities of the 
city and is under the immediate fostering care of the Protestant Epis- 
copal churches of Binghamton. The original buildings have been en- 
larged to meet the growth of the work of the trustees and the conse- 
quent increasing application for admission to the home. 

The Hospital of the Good Shepherd was incorporated and founded in 
connection with the work of the House of the Good Shepherd, but on 
the organization of the Binghamton City Hospital association this fea- 
ture of the institution was partially abolished. The House hospital 
was incorporated January 31, 1885, by Rev. R. G. Quennell, Rev. G. 
Livingston Bishop, Moses Stoppard, John C. Robinson, Clark Z. Otis, 
John Anderson, Erastus C. Delavan and Daniel Lyons. The hospital, 
like its allied institution, the House of the Good Shepherd, has always 
been supported as one of the dependencies of the Protestant Episcopal 
churches of the city. 

The present trustees of the House of the Good Shepherd are as fol- 
lows: Rev. R. G. Quennell, Rev. S. D. Day, Rev. J. H. La Roche, 
John Anderson and Daniel Lyons. The lady managers are Mrs. 
Charles S. Case, president; Mrs. J. St. John Cronin, secretary; Mrs. J. 
Fuller, treasurer, and Mrs. John Ray Clarke, Mrs. Gilbert C. Walker, 
Mrs. Charles F. Moore, Mrs. Lewis Baird, Mrs. Fred. H. Westcott and 
Mrs. E. A. Clark. Matron, Mrs. Henry Heady. 

The Home for Aged Women was incorporated July 6, 1891, " to fur- 
nish relief and a home for aged women." The incorporators were Dr. 
John G. Orton, Charles A. Wilkinson, Asa R. Tweedy, Horace H. Crary, 
Tracy G. Rich, S. Mills Ely, L. M. Bowers, G. S. Humphrey, John J. 
McElroy, James M. Stone, Edwin Taylor, Charles A. Whitney, John 
A. Porter, Dr. E. E. Snyder, William M. McLean, Henry A. Smith, J. 
Stuart Wells, J. L. Lusk, William E. Taylor, William J. Welsh, George 
E. Hall, Mrs. Olive S. Newell, Mrs. T. L. Bayless, Mrs. Helen R. Land- 
field, Mrs. Permelia Corby, Mrs. M. Rogers, Mrs. Mary V. Holmes, Mrs. 
K. E. Johnson, Mrs. Horace H. Crary, Mrs. Stephen C. Millard, Mrs. 
Fannie M. Kinney, Mrs. James M. Stone, Dr. Emily H. Wells, Mary H. 
Ely and Hannah Hammond. 

The Home has been liberally supported by the charitable residents of 
Binghamton, and particularly by the ladies of the city. Mrs. Mary A. 
Johnson, widow of the late Col. James W. Johnson, gave to the trustees 
the Home property on Fairview avenue, which cost about $6,000. Mrs. 
Polly Burr Crary, widow of the late Horace H. Crary, in her will be- 



298 BINGHAMTON ITS SETTLEMENT, 

queathed to the institution the sum of $5,000, which, with previous gifts 
of money, has established a comfortable fund for home maintenance. No 
person less than sixty years, of age is eligible to the benefits of the home, 
and each applicant for admission must provide at least $300 for support. 
The present number of inmates is fourteen, which number fills the 
building to its total capacity. 

During its history the matrons of the home have been Mrs. Charles 
O. Watrous, Mrs. Luzerne Gates and Mrs. John A. Hunt. The present 
officers of the board of managers are Mrs. Julius S. Corbett, president; 
Mrs. S. Mills Ely, first vice president; Mrs. S. C. Millard, second vice- 
president; Mrs. Fannie M. Kinney, secretary; Mrs. Charles E. Mann, 
treasurer; Mrs. Jerome B. Landfield, auditor. 

BingJiamton State Hospital. — By an act of the legislature passed May 
13, 1879, the New York State Inebriate asylum was abolished and all its 
property and privileges were declared to belong to the State, to be en- 
trusted to the care and management of the Binghamton asylum for 
the chronic insane, the latter being established by the act. Pro- 
vision also was made for the appointment of nine citizens of the 
State to constitute a board of trustees of the insane asylum, the 
appointees to hold office two, four and six years, according to the 
three classes into which they were divided. In later years, however, 
the number of trustees was changed, and under the act of 1896 the 
trustees were called managers, and the number was reduced to seven. 

The original board of trustees, appointees of the governor, was 
charged with the duty of remodeling the entire interior of the asylum 
building and repairing the same for its new occupancy. This work was 
not completed until the latter part of 1881, and was only accomplished 
after an outlay of many thousands of dollars. The building was opened 
for patients in the latter part of October, in the year mentioned, but in 
the course of a few years it became necessary to erect a new building 
on the grounds adjoining the asylum building proper for the accommo- 
dation of the increased number of inmates. In still later years other 
buildings were required, hence the auxiliary structures known respect- 
ively as the north, south, east and west buildings were erected. When 
opened in October, 1881, one patient was at first sent to the asylum; 
the present number of inmates exceeds 1,250. In 1881 the asylum 
farm tract included 225 acres of land; the present farm is 1,060 acres 
in extent. In 1890 the legislature changed the name from Binghamtom 
Asylum for chronic insane to Binghamton State Hospital. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 299 

In 1879 the trustees appointed Dr. Carlos McDonald superintendent 
and physician of the asylum, but no patients were received during his 
incumbency of the office. On June 1, 1880, Dr. Theodore Spencer 
Armstrong was appointed superintendent and served in that capacity 
to the time of his death, December 28, 1891. His successor. Dr. 
Charles Gray Wagner, the present superintendent of the hospital, was 
appointed February 8, 1892. In 1882 the trustees appointed Dr. 
Charles C. Eastman first assistant physician. He is still serving in that 
position. 

The first steward was Harlan G. Blanding, appointed in 1879. In 
1881 Major Edwin Evans was appointed to the position and is still in 
office. 

The presidents of the board of trustees (the office is now known as 
chairman of the board of managers) have been as follows: Rodney A. 
Ford, 1879-80; Col. George W. Dunn, 1881; Tracy R. Morgan, 1882-94; 
Alexander Cumming, 1895-96; John B. Stanbrough, 1897-99. 

The secretaries have been William S. Smith, 1879-80; Harris G. 
Rodgers, 1881-95; John Anderson, 1895-97; Kate Moss Ely, 1897 (re- 
signed); George C. Bayless, 1897-1900. 

The office of treasurer was filled by Jerome DeWitt from 1879 to 
1894, when he resigned and was succeeded by John Rankin, the present 
treasurer. 

Edmund O'Connor was appointed counsel to the board of managers 
in 1896, and served until his death, July 15, 1898, when he was suc- 
ceeded by George B. Curtiss, the present counsel. 

In noting the personnel of the board of trustees it is not deemed 
necessary to repeat the names of incumbents with each succeeding year, 
but rather to furnish the names of the original board, and then note 
the year of appointment of later incumbents of the office. In 1879 the 
trustees were Rodney A. Ford, William S. Smith, F. O. Cable, G. 
Prince, William E. Knight, S. D. Halliday, Alvin Devereaux, Erastus 
Ross and E. D. Van Sly ck. In 1880, no change; 1881, George W. 
Dunn, Harris G. Rodgers, Edmund O'Connor, George Truman, James 
Stewart and Tracy R. Morgan; 1882, Alexander Cumming, Charles 
Davis, John Rankin; 1883-85, no change; 1886, Dr. J. Franklin Barnes, 
vice Ford; 1887-91, no change; 1892, D. B. Cushman, Stephen W. 
Leach, John B. Stanbrough, Francis W. Downs; 1893, no change; 1894, 
George H. Barlow, vice Rankin; 1895, Charles M. Dickinson, Burton 
M. Babcock, John Anderson; 1896, no change; 1897, Mrs. Kate M. Ely, 



I 



300 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Henry L. Armstrong, A. J. French, Anna L. Piatt (resigned and James 
Forsyth appointed); 1898, George C. Bayless; 1899, Theodore Gere, 
vice Forsyth, resigned. 



CHAPTER XVI. 
BANKING INSTITUTIONS. 

Previous to the organization of the old Broome County bank all bank- 
ing business of the village of Binghamton and its vicinity was done 
through the merchants who controlled the largest trade. Soon after 
1830 several business men and capitalists became convinced that a 
prudently managed banking house would not only add to the commer- 
cial importance of the village, but also would be of great convenience 
to all interests and prove to be a profitable investment. Accordingly, 
on April 18, 1831, an act of the legislature incorporated the Broome 
County bank, with $100,000 capital, and authority to increase the 
amount to $150,000. The association was formally organized June 13, 
1831, when the stockholders elected the following board of directors: 
Cyrus Strong, Cary Murdock, Daniel Evans, Samuel Smith, Myron 
Merrill, Peter Robinson, Jesse Orcutt, Lewis vSt. John, Virgil Whitney, 
Thomas G. Waterman, Christopher Eldredge, John A. Collier and 
Joshua Whitney. Each of these directors was directly and prominently 
identified with the early history of the village in many ways. (Not 
one of the number is now living, but descendants of all save one or two 
are known in city business circles, one of them being the head of the 
strongest financial institution in the city.) The directors above men- 
tioned organized by electing Myron Merrill, president, and Cary Mur- 
dock, cashier. 

The Broome County bank was opened in the early summer in 1832 
and from that time on it did a large and successful business without 
change in its corporate character until it resolved into a national bank. 
Mr. Merrill was president until June 13, 1853, when he was succeeded 
by Cyrus Strong (the latter being grandfather to the present president 
of the Strong State bank). In 1865 Mr. Strong died, and was suc- 
ceeded in the presidency by his son, Cyrus, the late Colonel Strong, in 
allusion to whom the Strong State bank takes its name. He was presi- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 301 

dent of the Broome County bank under its original charter, and also 
after the institution was reorganized under the name of National 
Broome County bank. He remained in office until about 1889 or 1890 
and was succeeded by the late David L. Brownson, who was president 
of the bank when its doors were closed by the bank examiner in Janu- 
ary, 1895. 

Cary Murdock was cashier of the old bank from 1833 to 1841, when, 
on April 23, he was succeeded by Tracy R, Morgan. Thereafter and 
for a period of fifty-five years. Colonel Morgan was known in local 
financial circles, and in his official capacity transacted the business of 
the bank under its original charter of 1831, under the free state bank 
charter of 1855, and also under its national banking charter of 1865. 
He was the cashier and active managing officer of the bank at the time 
of the disastrous failure of January, 1895. 

On January 1, 1855, the bank was reorganized as a free state bank, 
and retained that distinctive character until August 9, 1865, when it 
was converted into a national bank, agreeable to the provisions of a 
general enabling act of the legislature. The name of the new institu- 
tion was the National Broome County bank. The directors and officers 
of the state bank were continued in office under the reorganized con- 
dition. 

The history of the old Broome County bank, and also of its successor 
banks, is thus briefly narrated. It was the pioneer institution of its char- 
acter in the village and was always regarded as one of the sound finan- 
cial institutions of this part of the state. The banking house stood on 
an elevated site at the corner of Court and Chenango streets, where is 
now the Phelps building. It was erected in 1833 and was taken down in 
1871. (To properly recall the old structure the reader must have known 
Binghamton thirty years ago, and it may be assumed that at least half 
of our present population never saw the old building that once orna- 
mented the village. The accompanying view of Chenango street in 
1856 affords an interesting study. The building in the foreground is 
the bank, standing on an elevation of about ten feet above Court street. 
North of the bank the old Congregational, Presbyterian and Baptist 
churches are shown in the order mentioned. The building now owned 
by Smith, Kinney & Co. stands on the Congregational church site. 
The edifice was eventually converted into a theatre, and was known as 
the Academy of Music. It burned in the wintor of 1883-83. The view 
also shows many other buildings which arouse the interest of our older 



I 



302 



BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 



citizens, hence the reader will pardon this digression from the proper 
subject of this chapter.) 

The Binghamton bank, an associate financial institution with a capi- 
tal of $100,000, was chartered December 26, 1838, and began business 
in the early part of the following year. Its directors were John 
La Grange, president, Calvin L. Cole, cashier, Dwight Danforth and 




CHENANGO STREET IN 1856. 
View taken from the Court House. The Broome County Bank is seen in the foreground. 



Samuel Brown. It was organized for the laudable purpose of doing a 
general banking business, but at that time the commercial interests of 
the village were not sufficient to profitably support two banks, and the 
lesser must of necessity go to the wall. The new concern struggled 
against adversity until about 1842 and then closed its doors. The fail- 
ure was not disastrous and only the stockholders suffered losses. The 
bank began business in rooms in the Binghamton hotel, on the corner 
of Court and Water streets, but soon afterward removed to the north 
side of Court street, just east of Water street. In local business circles 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 303 

the bank was commonly known as the " Red Dog bank," its currency 
having a bright red back, with a picture of a large mastiff in the center. 
The Bank of Binghamton was organized under the laws of the state, 
July 29, 1852, with a capital of $150,000 (increased September 6, 1853, 
to $200,000). The first board of directors comprised Dr. Ammi Double- 
day, John A. Collier, Edward Tompkins, William R. Osborne, Charles 
McKinney, Charles W. Sanford, Judson Smith, Cyrenus H. Crosby, 
Benjamin F. Sisson, Joseph B. Abbott, Waring S. Weed, Hazard 
Lewis and John E. Sampson. The first officers were Dr. Doubleday, 
president; Charles W. Sanford, vice-president, and WilHam R. Osborne, 

cashier. 

It would have been difficult at any time during our early village his- 
tory to gather in a single corporation a stronger body of men than the 
above board of directors. They came from all branches of professional 
and business life and were men of the highest integrity and moral 
worth. Only one of them— Waring S. Weed— now survives, but all 
were once prominent factors in Binghamton history. 

The history of the Bank of Binghamton covered a period of thir- 
teen years, throughout which was shown a record of complete success. 
The original officers were continued in their respective positions until 
the institution was converted into a national bank, and were then re- 
elected. The bank began business on the north side of Court street 
(now No. 31), and thence removed to the corner of Court and Washing- 
ton streets, j'anuary 1, 1856. On May 4, 1885, the directors made a 
contract with J. Stuart Wells for the erection of the four story building 
on the site mentioned, and during the remaining months of the year 
the structure was completed. It cost $10, 500. Early in the summer of 
1865 the stockholders determined to reorganize under the provisions of 
the national banking act and the City National bank was the result. 

The City National Bank of Binghamton, No. 1,189, was organized 
July 1, 1865, with a capital of $200,000, the stock of the old bank being 
exchanged for that of the new. The old board of directors was re- 
elected'and continued in office, and was as follows : Dr. Ammi Double- 
day, William R. Osborne, John E. Sampson, Lewis S. White, William 
E. Taylor, Benjamin F. Sisson, Horace S. Griswold and Joseph B. 
Abbott. The officers, president, vice-president and cashier, were the 
same as previous to reorganization. Dr. Doubleday retained the pres- 
idency until his death, July 23, 1867, and in January, 1868, Charles W. 
Sanford was elected to fill the vacancy. On January 8, 1878, Mr. San- 



304 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

ford declined a re-election, upon which William R. Osborne succeeded 
to the presidency and served to January 10, 1893, when he resigned. 
He was followed by Harris G. Rodgers (who was made additional vice- 
president March 25, 1882), who was president at the time of his death, 
May 2, 1895. John B. Van Name, the present president of the bank, 
was elected May 17, 1895. Mr. Sanford was vice-president of the Bank 
of Binghamton and of the National bank, from 1852 to 1868, when he 
was succeeded by Judge Griswold. The latter died in 1870, and in 
January, 1871, William E. Taylor was elected to the vacancy. On the 
accession of Col. Rodgers to the presidency Charles F. Sisson was 
elected vice-president, and is still in office. 

Mr. Osborne was cashier of the Bank of Binghamton from 1852 to 
1865, and of the City National bank from its organization to January 8, 
1878, when he was made president. On the day last mentioned Hart- 
well Morse (a descendant of one of the oldest and most respected 
pioneer families of the historic town of Eaton, Madison county) was ap- 
pointed cashier, and still serves in that capacity. Much of the success 
which has characterized the career of this bank has been due to Mr. 
Morse's untiring efforts. He began work as clerk in the Bank of 
Binghamton in 18G4, hence is one of the oldest banking officials in the 
city. 

As shown by the report of its condition at the close of business June 
30, 1899, the aggregate amount of assets of the bank was $746,789.95; 
surplus, $40,000; undivided profits, $4,555.65; deposit account, $400,- 
000. 

The present directors and officers of the bank are as follows: John 
B. Van Name, president; Charles F. Sisson, vice-president; Hartwell 
Morse, cashier; Edward P. McKinney, John Bajdess, Robert E. Hooper, 
William W. Sisson, Walter Morse and Charles M. Stone. 

The First National Bank of Binghamton, No. 202, was organized in 
September, 1863, and began business in January, 1864, with a capital 
of $100,000 (afterward increased to $200,000). The first directors and 
officers were Abel Bennett, president; Elias Hawley, Charles McKinney, 
Moses T. Morgan, Locy Halsted, Ransom Balcom and Jared D. Ses- 
sions, none of whom are now living. The first cashier was George 
Pratt. Mr. Bennett resigned the presidency of the bank. May 5, 1884, 
and was succeeded in office by Francis T. Newell. Mr. Newell died 
April 27, 1898, and on January 1, 1899, Waring S. Weed was elected 
his successor. At the same time Frank B. Newell was elected vice- 




ABEL BENNETT. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 305 

president to succeed Mr. Weed. The late George Pratt was cashier of 
the bank from the time of its organization to January, 1884, when he 
resigned and was succeeded by John Manier, The latter resigned July 
1, 1895, and was succeeded by Addison J. Parsons, the present cashier 
of the bank. In banking circles Mr. Parsons is regarded as one of the 
brightest and most capable young financiers in the city. 

The First National is the oldest banking house of its character in the 
city, and, as is indicated by its number, it is one of the oldest in the 
state. During the period of its existence probably as much business 
has been transacted over its counters as in any similar institution in the 
city. It has always stood high in the public confidence, and its man- 
aging officers have been selected from the best material of the board 
of directors. The first president, Abel Bennett, during the long pe- 
riod of his residence in Binghamton was looked upon as our first citizen. 
He came here about 1850, and from that time to his death he was 
active both in the public and his personal welfare. He was the first 
mayor of the city, and was selected for that office by the people rather 
than by his own political party. In 1869, with others, he founded the 
Susquehanna Valley Home. He built Hotel Bennett in 1877. He in- 
vested largely in city real estate and erected several substantial busi- 
ness blocks and fine residences. Mr. Bennett died June 11, 1889. 

Francis T. Newell was a fit successor to Mr. Bennett in the presi- 
dency of the bank. He came to Binghamton from Morrisville half a 
century ago and for many years was engaged in mercantile pursuits. 
He was one of our most respected citizens. 

Waring S. Weed, the present president, is a native of Binghamton, 
and a lifelong resident of the village and the city. He has been in 
active business for sixty years, and is one of our most substantial men. 

George Pratt, the first cashier, was born here and was the son of 
pioneer Zenas Pratt. The late Hallam E., William H. and Frederick 
Pratt were brothers of George Pratt. 

At the close of business on June 30, 1899, the First National bank 
had a deposit account of more than $800,000, a surplus and profit ac- 
count of $74,148.74, and total assets amounting to more than $1,189,000. 

The present directors and officers of the bank are as follows : War- 
ing S. Weed, president; Frank B. Newell, vice-president; Addison J. 
Parsons, cashier; Stephen C. Millard, George F, O'Neil, Julius E. 
Rogers and Arthur S. Bartlett. 

The Susquehanna Valley bank — more frequently known throughout 

20 



806 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT. 

the period of its history as the Phelps bank — was incorporated under 
the laws of the state, January 1, 1854, with a capital of $100,000. The 
first board of directors was elected November 25, 1854, and comprised 
Sherman D. Phelps, Giles W. Hotchkiss, James Munsell, Hazard Lewis, 
William M. Ely, William E. Taylor, Charles McKinney, Henry S. 
Hitchcock, Augustus Morgan, Henry Mather, S. T. Scranton, Martin 
Stone and Barzilla Marvin. The first officers were Sherman D. Phelps, 
president, and R. W. R. Freeman, cashier. Mr. Freeman was a capa- 
ble officer, yet throughout the period of his life Judge Phelps — as he 
was best known — was the controlling factor in the affairs of the bank, 
and under his masterly management it stood at the head of the banking 
institutions of the city. 

Judge Phelps died November 13, 1878, having spent the best part of 
his business life in Binghamton. He was a Lincoln presidential elector 
in 1860, and mayor of this city in 1872. The Phelps mansion on Court 
street is one of the most costly residences ever built in the city, while 
the Phelps bank building, erected in 1871, is now one of the most pre- 
tentious business structures in this part of the state. Judge Phelps 
was identified with several large business enterprises, notably the Bing- 
hamton Gas company, of which he was president and chief owner. 

Egbert A. Clark succeeded to the presidency of the bank in January, 
1879, and served to June 2, 1884. He was not an old resident of Bing- 
hamton but spent the greater part of his business life in other localities, 
where, as a tanner, he acquired a fortune. In this city he was identi- 
fied with various enterprises, among which was the wholesale grocery 
house of Marks & Clark. Mr. Clark devoted little of his time to busi- 
ness affairs, entrusting their management to those with whom he was 
associated. He is remembered as a generous and public-spirited citi- 
zen. 

James W. Manier, present president of the bank, was chosen to that 
office June 2, 1884. He was acting cashier from June, 1865, to June, 
1867, and cashier from June, 1867 to 1884. 

The cashiers of the bank have been as follows: R. W. R. Freeman, 
April 6, 1855-1856; George Pratt, June 2, 1856-Dec., 1863; Henry W. 
Ibbotson, acting, Dec, 1863-June, 1864; James W, Manier, acting, 
June, 1865-June, 1867, and cashier, 1867-June 2, 1884; Arthur Griffin, 
assistant, Dec, 17, 1881-June 2, 1884, and cashier from the latter date 
to the present time. 

The present officers and directors of the bank are James W. Manier, 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 307 

president; Sigmund J. Hirschmann and James B.Weed, vice-presidents; 
Arthur Griffin, cashier; Frances A. Phelps, Oilman L. Sessions, Robert 
W. Manier, Charles M. Stone, Z. Bennett Phelps, George A. Kent, 
William G. Phelps, David H. Carver and James M. Stone. 

The Merchants National bank of Binghamton was organized March 
9, 1874, with $100,000 capital, and with directors and officers as follows: 
Erastus Ross, president; Wra. H. Wilkinson, vice-president; Allen 
Perkins, Benjamin N. Loomis, Harvey Westcott, George Craver, Ly- 
man Pollard, Joseph B. Chaffee, Osborne E. Bump, Rufus K. Amory, 
Henry W. Chubbuck, Charles Davis and Allen Barlow. Cashier, 
George Burr. 

The bank began business at the corner of Court street and Commer- 
cial avenue, and soon won its way into the public confidence. Its busi- 
ness was large and under the cashiership of Mr. Burr its affairs were 
admirably conducted. At one time it had the largest list of depositors 
of any city bank. On May 24, 1891, the national charter was surren- 
dered, and the bank was reorganized under the state laws, and thence- 
forth became known as the Merchants bank. At that time the board 
of directors comprised Erastus Ross, president; Dan S. Richards, 1st 
vice-president; Charles Davis, 2d vice-president; Frederick E. Ross, 
cashier; Clinton Ross, assistant cashier; Allen Barlow, Wm. H. Wil- 
kinson, George Craver, C. G. Armstjong, B. H. Nelson and George J. 
Babcock. 

On January. 21, 1895, after a period of twenty years of business exist- 
ence, the doors of the Merchants bank were closed by the banking de- 
partment of the state. On January 25, Col. George W. Dunn was ap- 
pointed receiver and the affairs of the bank are now in process of 
liquidation. 

The Binghamton Trust company was incorporated under the laws of 
the state, September 8, 1890, with a capital of $400,000 (decreased in 
June, 1897, to $300,000). The first board of trustees and managers 
comprised Charles J. Knapp, Horace H. Crary, Jerome B. Landfield, 
Stoddard Hammond, jr., Cyrus Strong, jr., J. Stuart Wells, Adelbert J. 
Schlager, John B. Simpson, Frank Gould, William E. Taylor, G. Tracy 
Rogers, William J. Welsh, Henry S. Jarvis, Maurice Birdsall and Peter 
K. Burhans. The first officers were Charles J. Knapp, president; 
Horace H. Crary, vice-president; Cyrus Strong, jr., treasurer; Stoddard 
Hammond, jr., secretary; Wm. J. Welsh, attorney, and George H.Ford, 
cashier. On July 1, 1898, Mr. Landfield was elected vice-president in 



308 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

place of Mr. Crary, deceased. In 1891 Mr. Landfield was made treas- 
urer in place of Mr. Strong, and in 1893 Mr. Schlager was elected to 
the position. In the fall of 1891 Jacob Wiser succeeded George H . 
Ford as cashier, the latter resigning the position on account of ill 
health. 

The Binghamton Trust company, though in operation less than ten 
years, is known as one of the largest and most successful banking in- 
stitutions in the southern tier. Its affairs have been carefully and 
prudently managed, yet wise liberality has always characterized the 
action of its officials. As shown by the report of the condition of the 
company at the close of business June 30, 1899, the total resources 
were more than $2,199,000; deposits, above $1,720, 000; accrued interest, 
$17,900, and surplus assets, $161,226.78. 

The present trustees and officers are Charles J. Knapp, president; 
Jerome B. Landfield, vice-president: A. J. Schlager, treasurer; Stod- 
dard Hammond, secretary; Jacob Wiser, cashier; F. Percy Knapp, as- 
sistant cashier; William J. Welsh, attorney, and Fred F. Hammond, 
Thomas B. Crary, John S. Wells, John B. Simpson, Frank Gould, G. 
Tracy Rogers, Maurice Birdsall and Jerome B. Landfield, jr. 

The Strong State bank was the outgrowth of a private banking house 
established in April, 1892, by Cyrus Strong and Cyrus Strong, jr., both 
of whom were well known in city business circles as men of means and 
unquestioned integrity. The disastrous failures of January, 1895, which 
wrecked the National Broome County bank, the Chenango Valley Sav- 
ings bank, the Merchants bank, and also the private banking house of 
Erastus Ross & Sons, is still fresh in the mind of the reader and a de- 
tailed narrative of events of that unfortunate occasion, with all its at- 
tending results, is not necessary to this chapter. The loss of three 
commercial banks and one savings bank was a serious blow to all in- 
terests, and the establishment of a new bank of undoubted solidity at 
once became a necessity. In the emergency, the firm of Strong & 
Strong determined to organize a state bank, and the Strong State bank 
was the result. The organization was effected March 5, 1895, the capi- 
tal being $100,000. The directors were Cornelius H. Ackerman, Fred. 
Bennett, George H . Barlow, George W. Dunn, Charles C. Jackson, 
Frederic W. Jenkins, Charles E. Lee, Charles D. Matthews, Arthur S. 
Miner, Patrick J. McTighe, Michael McMahon, Edward L. Rose, Cyrus 
Strong, Cyrus Strong, jr., and James W. Sturtevant. The first officers 
were Cyrus Strong, jr., president; George W. Dunn and Edward L. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 309 

Rose, vice-presidents; Cyrus M. Strong, assistant cashier. On August 
3, 1896, Mr. Rose was appointed cashier, and Mr. Sturtevant was 
elected vice-president in his stead. In 1898 Mr. Rose resigned the 
cashiership and Cyrus M. Strong was appointed in his place; and at the 
same time Charles F. Gale was appointed assistant cashier. Other 
than is mentioned there has been little subsequent change in the offi- 
ciary of the bank. 

The Strong bank, as commonly known, has been in operation less 
than five years, yet during that time it has assumed a position of com- 
manding importance among the financial institutions of southern New 
York. It has a present surplus of $50,000, an undivided profit account 
of $19,000, and during its history has paid dividends to the amount of 
$20,000. This record has never been equalled by any other bank of the 
same age in the city. The present directors are Cyrus Strong, presi- 
dent; George W. Dunn, 1st vice-president; James W. Sturtevant, 2d 
vice-president; Cyrus M. Strong, cashier; Cornelius H. Ackerman, 
Frederic W. Jenkins, Fred. Bennett, F. E. Taft, C. F, Hotchkiss, 
Charles C. Jackson, Patrick J. McTighe, Charles D. Matthews and M. 
J . Corbett. Charles F. Gale, assistant cashier. 

The People's bank was incorporated and began business June 1, 1895 
(capital, $100,000), occupying quarters formerly used by Erastus Ross 
& Sons. The first directors, as indicated by the articles of association, 
were William H. Wilkinson, Alonzo Roberson, Harvey Westcott, Will- 
iam E. Taylor, Harlow E. Bundy, John Hull, jr., Charles A. Weed, 
George M. Harris, Robert R. Griswold, Edward F. Leighton, Walter J. 
Moon, Clark W. Greene, Chauncey B. Waterman, Henry G. Jackson 
and Wellington W. Williams. The first officers, who still retain their 
respective positions (except Vice-President Roberson, who died in 
1899) were William H. Wilkinson, president; Alonzo Roberson, vice- 
president; George W. Ostrander, cashier; Carver, Deyo & Jenkins, at- 
torneys. 

The present directors are Wm. H. Wilkin.son, Harvey Westcott, 
Charles A. Weed, George M. Harris, Fred. W. Grummon, Robert R. 
Griswold, Edward F. Leighton, Walter J. Moon, C. W. Greene, C. B. 
Waterman, Austin W. Clinton, Henry G. Jackson, W. W. Williams and 
Tracy G. Rich. The bank ha^, enjoyed a steady and healthful growth, 
and with ample capital and an efficient board of directors is assured of 
future success in all lines of legitimate banking. 

The private banking house of B. H. Nelson & Son began business at 



310 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

the northeast corner of Chenango and Eldridge streets, January 7, 
1890. The bank is distinctively an institution of the busy north side, 
and is owned and managed by one who has done much toward building 
up that important portion of the city. 

The private banking house of Erastus Ross & Sons was established 
in June, 1890. The firm did a large business several years, but specu- 
lations outside of legitimate banking led to its ultimate downfall in 
January, 1895. 

Savings Banks. — The first attempt to organize a savings bank in 
Bingharaton was made in the early part of 1848, when, on April 11, 
an act of the legislature incorporated the '* Binghamton Savings Insti- 
tution," and named as trustees and incorporators John Clapp, Franklin 
Whitney, Edward White, Silas West, Levi Dimmick, Elias Hawley, 
Augustus Morgan, Myron Merrill, Gilbert Tompkins, Christopher 
Eldredge, Charles W. Sanford, Samuel H. P, Hall, Uriah M. Stowers, 
Hamilton Collier and Vincent Whitney. For some now unknown rea- 
son the bank was never organized in accordance with the provisions of 
the act, and it was almost twenty years later that the village in fact 
had a savings bank. 

The Chenango Valley Savings bank was incorporated April 14, 1855, 
with trustees as follows: Benjamin N. Loomis, John J. Youmans, 
Ransom Balcom, Elijah Castle, Judson Smith, Richard Mather, Simon 
C. Hitchcock, Isaac L. Bartlett, Lewis Seymour, Albert Way, Samuel 
J. Olmsted, Francis T. Newell, Hallam E. Pratt, Charles McKinney, 
Augustus Morgan, Sherman D. Phelps, Giles W. Hotchkiss and Martin 
Stone. These trustees represented the most substantial element of our 
village population at the time, but not one of their number is now liv- 
ing. Mr. Newell outlived his associates, but he himself died in 1898. 
But notwithstanding the acknowledged capacity of the board of trustees 
certain complications had the effect to delay the formal organization for 
some time, and before that result was in fact accomplished five of the 
original members withdrew. They were John J. Youmans, Elijah 
Castle, Judson Smith, Samuel J. Olmsted and Francis T. Newell. Al- 
bert Way died September 34, 1863. The vacancies were filled by 
Tracy R. Morgan, Hiram M. Myer, Henry Mather, Joseph E. Ely, 
George Pratt and W. N. Wilson. 

The permanent organization was effected April 20, 1867, by the elec- 
tion of Simon C. Hitchcock, president; Augustus Morgan and Benja- 
min N. Loomis, vice-presidents, and Sherman D, Phelps, treasurer. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 311 

The bank was then opened for business and within a year was estab- 
lished on a firm basis. The officers were men of undoubted integrity, 
hence depositors unhesitatingly opened accounts. The history of the 
bank under its original charter covered a period of almost thirty years; 
a period of gratifying success both to the depositors and the manage- 
ment. In the early part of 1895, however, the institution failed and 
its doors were closed by the banking department of the state on Janu- 
ary 24. It is not deemed advisable to refer at length to the causes 
leading to the failure, or to the losses of depositors, or to the generally 
disturbed condition existing in business circles in the city during the 
period. The event is passed, the bank is reorganized under new man-: 
agement and public confidence is again restored. 

Mr. Hitchcock was president of the bank until May 13, 1868, when 
he was succeeded by Judge Phelps, who served to the time of his death, 
November 13, 1878, after which the office had no incumbent, its duties 
being performed by Judge Loomis, the surviving vice-president. Ma- 
jor Morgan, an original vice-president, died September 26, 1868, and 
Richard Mather was elected in his stead. He died in office May 1, 1870. 
Tracy R. Morgan was elected treasurer upon the elevation of Judge 
Phelps to the presidency. Colonel Morgan was one of the oldest bankers 
in the city, having become an officer of the Broome County bank in 
1841. As years passed the old trustees of the savings bank were re- 
placed with others, and the affairs of business gradually came more and 
more under Colonel Morgan's immediate control. At the time of the 
failure in 1895 he was almost in sole charge of the bank, and he alone 
knew of the character of the investments and the disposition of the 
funds. This policy was an undoubted mistake on the part of the 
trustees, yet it was a most natural error as the treasurer enjoyed the 
confidence of every business man in the city; and even now, in the light 
of all subsequent revelations, the present writer is not prepared to state 
that that confidence was wholly misplaced. Disaster came and thou- 
sands of persons suffered losses. Public excitement ran high and many 
bitter feelings were engendered. Prosecutions and indictments fol- 
lowed, but the end has not yet been reached. The affairs of the de- 
funct concern are unsettled, but the bitter passion of the period has 
subsided. The bank is under entirely new management. From Janu- 
ary 24 to April 25, 1895, the officials of the state banking department 
remained in charge of the bank. In the meantime the old board of 
trustees (Benjamin N. Loomis, Job N. Congdon, James W. Manier, 



312 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Solomon F. Gary, George W. Dunn, Arthur S. Miner, Gyrus Strong, 
W. N. Wilson, David L. Brownson, James Prendergast, Joseph M. 
Johnson, Wallace B. Hallock and Tracy R. Morgan) resigned, and 
under an order of the supreme court on the date last mentioned the 
bank was reopened by a new board of trustees, comprised as follows: 
George A. Kent, James W. Manier, George W. Dunn, Charles E. Lee, 
Michael McMahon, William G. Phelps, Asa R. Tweedy, Henry Marean, 
James Prendergast, George C. Bayless, James W. Sturtevant, Arthur 
vS. Miner and Edward L. Rose. The new management began business 
with deposits amounting to $141,711.02, or about seventy-eight per 
cent, of the first dividend paid to the depositors of the defunct bank. 

The first officers of the reorganized bank were George A. Kent, presi- 
dent; John Manier, treasurer; Henry Marean, secretary, Mr. Kent is 
still president, Mr. Manier resigned January 10, 1899, and was suc- 
ceeded by Mr. Marean. The present vice-presidents are James W. 
Manier and James W. Sturtevant. The board of trustees is comprised 
of Arthur S. Bartlett, C. F. Hotchkiss, George A. Kent, James W. 
Manier, John Manier, Henry Marean, Michael McMahon, William G. 
Phelps, Julius E. Rogers, James W. Sturtevant, Asa R. Tweedy and 
George F. O'Neil. The bank now has 6,889 depositors. 

The Binghamton Savings Bank^ concededly one of the most substan- 
tial institutions of its kind in this part of the state, was incorporated 
April 18, 1867, with the following board of trustees: Frederick Lewis, 
Horaces. Griswold, Cyrus Strong, Oliver C. Crocker, William E. Taylor, 
Harris G. Rodgers, Charles W. Sanford, Erasmus D. Robinson, Will- 
iam P. Pope, Abel Bennett, Lewis Seymour, Henry Mather and Horace 
N. Lester. The permanent organization was April 34, 18G7, by the 
election of Horace S. Griswold, president; Wm. P. Pope and Frederick 
Lewis, vice-presidents; Harris G. Rodgers, treasurer, and Erasmus D. 
Robinson, secretary. 

Not one of the original officers or trustees is now living, but the in- 
stitution which they founded still survives, and has grown in popularity, 
usefulness and strength from its inception to the present time. The 
bank began business in the Ely building on Washington street, where 
it remained until 1870, when it was removed to the First National 
bank building. In 1879 it occupied more comfortable quarters in the 
McNamara building at the corner of Court and Collier streets. In 
1899 the trustees purchased the land next north of the municipal build- 
ing, and erected thereon a five story structure for its own use. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 313 

The business career of the Bingham ton Savings bank needs no special 
mention in this chapter, as it has been a constant record of growth and 
prosperity from its inception to the present time, and now it is more 
firmly intrenched in the public confidence than at any previous time in 
its history. Its assets, as shown by the sixty-fifth semi-annual state- 
ment of July 1, 1899, aggregate $2,429,669.02. The total deposits are 
$2,322,450.43, representing 9,914 separate accounts. The present sur- 
plus, at par value of the securities, is $107,218.59; at market value the 
surplus is $162,509.96. 

An interesting element of history in connection with this bank is the 
succession of its trustees and officers, an accurate record of which has 
been kept by Mr. Gennet, who has been in the service of the bank, in 
one connection or another, since 1868. The succession of trustees has 
been as follows: 

Horaces. Griswold, died Aug. 9, 1870; Frederick Lewis, resigned 
Mar. 4, 1873; Cyrus Strong, died Sept. 21, 189(3; Oliver C. Crocker, re- 
signed June 2, 1874; Wm. E. Taylor, office declared vacant Mar. 4, 1884; 
Harris G. Rodgers, died May 2, 1895; Charles W. Sanford, died July 
30, 1883; Erasmus D. Robinson, died Oct. 10, 1890; Wm. P. Pope, died 
Dec. 22, 1879; Abel Bennett, resigned Jan. 20, 1874; Lewis Seymour, 
died Jan. 4, 1873; Henry Mather, died May 1, 1870; Dr. John G. Orton, 
elected Oct. 4, 1870; Oilman L. Sessions, elected May G, 1873; James 
B. Weed, elected Jan. 23, 1873; Darius S. Ayers, elected Jan. 20, 
1874, served to June 3, 1879; William S. Smith, elected March 3, 1874, 
died May 12, 1889; Orlow W. Chapman, elected Feb. 3, 1880, died Jan. 
19, 1890; Wm. B. Edwards, elected Aug. 5, 1879, died Nov. 23, 1893; 
Charles M. Stone, elected Nov. 1883; James K. Welden, elected May 
6, 1884, died July 14, 1895; Edward C. Smith, elected Oct. 1, 1889; 
SigmundJ. Hirschmann, elected July 1, 1890; John Bayless, elected 
Jan. 20, 1891; George M. Harris, elected Feb. 24, 1894; Edward P. 
McKinney, elected Feb. 24, 1894; Charles W. Gennet, elected March 5, 
1895; Charles F. Sisson, elected July 2, 1895; Charles A. Weed, elected 
Nov. 3, 1896. 

The presidents, with their terms of office, have been as follows: 
Horace S. Griswold, elected April 24, 1867, died Aug. 9, 1870; Fred- 
erick Lewis, elected Jan. 3, 1871, resigned March 4, 1873; Charles W. 
Sanford, elected March 4, 1873, died July 30, 1883; Harper Dusenbury, 
elected Jan. 28, 1884, died Nov. 19, 1893; William H.Wilkinson, pres- 
ent president, elected Dec. 5, 1893. 



314 BINGHAMTON ITS SETTLEMENT. 

The vice-presidents has been as follows: William P. Pope, April 24, 
1867-Jan. 6, 1874; Frederick Lewis, April 24, 1867-Jan. 3, 1871; Wm. 
E. Taylor, Jan. 3, 1871-Jan. 6, 1880; Harper Dusenbury, Jan 6, 1874- 
Jan. 28, 1884; Horace N. Lester, Jan. 6, 1880-died Oct. 2, 1882; Wm. 
B. Edwards, Jan. 23, 1883-Nov. 23, 1893; Wm. H. Wilkinson, Jan. 28, 
1884-Dec. 5, 1893; Dr. John G. Orton, Dec. 5, 1893; Oilman L. Ses- 
sions, Dec. 5, 1893. 

The secretaries have been as follows: Erasmus D. Robinson, April 
24, 1867-Oct. 10, 1890; Charles M. Stone, Jan. 20, 1891. 

The treasurers have been as follows: Harris G. Rodgers, April 24, 
1867-May 2, 1895; Charles W. Gennet, May 7, 1895. 

The tellers have been as follows; Charles W. Gennet, June 1, 1868- 
May 7, 1895; Asbury C. Deyo, May 7, 1895. 

The trustees of the bank are William H. Wilkinson, Edward C. Smith, 
Sigmund J. Hirschmann, Edward P. McKinney, George M. Harris, 
Charles F. Sisson, Dr. John G. Orton, Oilman L. Sessions, James B. 
Weed, Charles M. Stone, John Bayless, Charles A. Weed and Charles 
W. Gennet. 

The officers are William H. Wilkinson, president; Dr. John O. Orton 
and Oilman L. Sessions, vice-presidents: Charles W. Gennet, treasurer; 
Charles M, Stone, secretary; Asbury C. Deyo, teller. 



CHAPTER XVn. 
THE BENCH AND BAR. 

The sentiment is frequently expressed that the judicial system of the 
state of New York is largely copied or derived from the common law 
of England, and slightly from the civil law of the continent. In many 
respects this is true and resemblances may be traced therein, but a close 
study of the laws and judicial practice of this state will reveal the fact 
that they are an original growth and differ materially from the older 
systems of Europe. This difference is strikingly manifested in the 
simple act of entitling a criminal writ. In this state it is " the People 
versus the Criminal;" in England it is " Rex versus the Criminal." In 
the genius of the one the requirement is an independent judiciary re- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 315 

sponsible directly to the people only; in the other it is a court subser- 
vient to a king. 

In the early history of the colony of New York the governor was in 
effect the maker, enforcer and interpreter of the laws, the chief judge 
of the court of last resort, while his councillors were generally his 
obedient followers. The execution of the English and colonial statutes 
rested with him, as also did the exercise of the royal authority in the 
province ; and it was not until the adoption of the first constitution that 
he ceased to contend for these prerogatives. By the constitution of 
1777 the governor was entirely stripped of the judicial power he exer- 
cised under the colonial rule, and that power was vested in the lieuten- 
ant-governor and the senate, also in the chancellor and justices of the 
Supreme court — the former to be elected by the people and the latter 
appointed by the council. This was the first radical separation of the 
judicial and legislative powers and the advancement of the judiciary to 
the position of a co-ordinate department of government, subject only 
to the limitation consequent upon the appointment of its members by 
the council; but even this mild restriction was soon felt to be incompat- 
ible, though it was not until the adoption of the constitution of 1846 
that the last connecting link between the purely political and judicial 
branches of state government was finally abolished. From this time 
the judiciary became more directly representative of the people. The 
development of the idea of the responsibility of the courts to the people, 
from the time when all its members were at the beck and nod of an 
irresponsible master, to the time when all the judges are voted for di- 
rectly by the people, has indeed been remarkable. Let us look briefly 
at the present arrangement and powers of the courts of the state, and 
then at the elements from which they have grown. 

The whole scheme involves the idea, first, of a determination of the 
the facts and law by a trial court, then a review of the law and facts by 
a higher court, and ultimately of the law by a court of last resort. To 
accomplish the purposes of the scheme there has been devised and 
established, first, the present Court of Appeals, the ultimate tribunal of 
the state, perfected in its present form by the conventions of 1867 and 
1868. When first organized under the constitution of 1846, the court 
comprised eight judges, four of whom were elected by the people and 
the remainder chosen from the justices of the Supreme court hav- 
ing the shortest time to serve. As reorganized in 1870, and now ex- 
isting, the court consists of a chief judge and six associate judges, who 



316 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

hold office for a term of fourteen years. The legislature has provided 
how and when the decisions of inferior tribunals may be reviewed 
in the Court of Appeals, and under the revised constitution of 1894 the 
legislature is authorized to still further restrict the jurisdiction of the 
court, and the right of appeal thereto. Upon the reorganization of the 
court in 1869 its work was far in arrears, and the law commonly known 
as the judiciary act provided for a commission of appeals to aid the 
Court of Appeals; and still later there was organized a second division 
of the Court of Appeals to assist in the disposition of the business of the 
general court. The several limitations placed upon the Court of Appeals 
by the constitution of 1894 are in part designed to relieve it from future 
similar embarrassments. 

Second in rank and jurisdiction stands the Supreme court, which was 
created originally in 1691, and comprised a chief justice and four assist- 
ant justices to be appointed by the governor, and empowered to try all 
issues, civil, criminal or mixed. Appeals lay to the governor and coun- 
cil. The judges made an annual circuit of the state, under a commis- 
sion which gave them Nisi Prius, Oyer and Terminer and jail delivery 
powers. Under the first constitution the court was reorganized, and all 
proceedings were directed to be entitled in the name of the people. 
The constitution of 1821 made many changes in the character and 
methods of this court; the judges were reduced to three and were ap- 
pointed by the governor, with the consent of the senate, to hold office 
during good behavior, or until 60 years of age. By the constitution of 
1846 the Supreme court was abolished and a new court of the same 
name, having general jurisdiction in law and equity, was established in 
its place. Its members comprised 33 justices elected by the people. 
The judiciary act of 1847 provided that General Terms be held at least 
once each year in counties having more than 40,000 inhabitants, and in 
other counties once in two years; and at least two special terms and 
two circuits were to be held yearly in each county, except Hamilton. 
The court was authorized to name the time and places for holding its 
terms, and also those of the Oyer and Terminer, the latter then being 
a part of the Circuit court, and held by a justice, the county judge and 
two justices of sessions. After 1882 the Oyer and Terminer consisted 
of a single justice of the Suprem-e court; but by the sweeping changes 
made by the constitution of 1894, Circuit courts and courts of Oyer and 
Terminer were abolished, and their jurisdiction vested in the Supreme 
court. Provision was also made for an Appellate division of this court, 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 317 

to consist of seven justices in the first, and five in each of the other 
three judicial departments into which the state was divided. The Ap- 
pellate division is invested with the jurisdiction previously exercised by 
the Supreme court at General Term, and such other power as the legis- 
lature is authorized to confer. From the justices of the Supreme court 
the governor designates those who shall constitute the Appellate Divis- 
ion, and also the presiding justice thereof; the latter to act during his 
term of office, and the others for a term of five years. 

The judiciary article of the constitution of 1846 was amended in 1869, 
and the legislature was authorized to provide for the organization of 
General Terms, consisting of a presiding justice and not more than 
three associates; but by the law of 1870 the then organization of Gen- 
eral Terms was abrogated, and the state was divided into four depart- 
ments, with provision for General Terms in each. By the same act the 
governor was directed to designate from the justices of the Supreme 
court a presiding justice and two associates to constitute a General 
Term in each department. A constitutional amendment was adopted in 
1882, and the legislature in 1883 divided the state into five judicial de- 
partments, and provided for the election of twelve additional justices, 
to hold office from the first day of June, 1884. The constitution of 
1894 provided for the election of twelve more justices of the Supreme 
court. 

The old Court of Chancery of this state was an heirloom of the colo- 
nial period, and had its origin in the Court of Assizes, the latter being 
vested with equity powers under the dake's laws. The court was 
established February 16, 1683, and went out of existence by limitation 
in 1698; was revived by ordinance in 1701, suspended in 1703, and re- 
established in 1704. At first the court was unpopular, both the assem- 
bly and colonists opposing it with the argument that the crown had no 
authority to establish a court of equity in the province. Under the 
constitution of 1777 the court was reorganized, and in 1778 masters 
and examiners were designated by the Council of Appointment, while 
registrars and clerks were appointed by the chancellor; and the latter 
also licensed all solicitors and counsellors of the court. Under the con- 
stitution of 1831 the chancellor was appointed by the governor, and 
held office during good behavior or until sixty years of age. The 
constitution of 1846 abolished the Court of Chancery and vested its 
powers and duties in the Supreme court. By an act of the legislature 
passed in 1848 and entitled "The Code of Procedure," all distinction 



318 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

between actions at law and suits in equity was abolished, so far as 
method of procedure was concerned, and one uniform practice was 
adopted. In June, 1877, the legislature enacted the "Code of Civil 
Procedure," to take the place of the code of 1848; by this act many 
minor changes were made in the practice of the court. 

These are, in brief, the changes through which the Supreme court 
has passed in its growth from the prerogative of an irresponsible mas- 
ter to one of the most independent and enlightened instrumentalities 
for the protection and attainment of rights of citizens of which any 
state or nation, ancient and modern, can rightfully boast. So well is 
this fact understood by the people that by far the greater amount of 
business which might be done in inferior courts at less expense is actu- 
ally taken to this court for settlement. 

Next in rank to the Supreme court is the County court, held in each 
county in the state at such times and places as its judges may direct. 
This court had its origin in the English Court of Sessions, and like it, 
had at one time only criminal jurisdiction; but in 1691 it was given 
both civil and criminal powers in cases of trial by jury. By the act of 
1691, and the decree of 1699, the civil jurisdiction of the court was con- 
ferred on the Common Pleas; but by the radical changes made by the 
constitution of 1846, provision was made for a County court in each 
county of the state, except New York, to be held by an officer desig- 
nated the "County Judge," having such jurisdiction as the legislature 
should prescribe. County courts have been given jurisdiction in vari- 
ous classes of actions, and have also been invested with equity powers 
in the foreclosure of mortgages, the sale of infants' real estate, and to 
partition lands, admeasure dower and care for the persons and estates 
of lunatics and habitual drunkards. The judiciary act of 1869 continued 
the existing jurisdiction in all actions in which the defendant lived in 
the county, and the damages claimed did not exceed $1,000. The con- 
stitution of 1894 likewise continued the court, and increased its power 
by extending the amount of damages claimable to $2,000. 

Like the Supreme court, the County court has its civil and criminal 
sides. In criminal matters the county judge was formerly assisted by 
two justices of sessions, elected by the people from among the justices 
of the peace of the county. In the criminal branch of this court, known 
as " the Sessions," all minor offences were disposed of, and all indict- 
ments, except for murder, could be sent to it from the Oyer and Term- 
iner for trial. The constitution of 1894 abolished the Court of Sessions, 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 319 

except in the county of New York, and vested its powers in the County 
court. By the codes of 1848 and 1877 the procedure and practice in 
this court were made to conform as nearly as possible to the practice of 
the Supreme court. This was done with the evident design to attract 
litigation into the minor courts and thus relieve the Supreme court ; but 
in this attempt there has been a failure, as litigants much prefer the 
shield and broader powers of the higher court. Under the code county 
judges perform the duties of a justice of the Supreme court at chambers. 
The County court has appellate jurisdiction over actions arising in Just- 
ices' courts and Courts of special sessions. 

The old court of Common Pleas of New York, the oldest tribunal of 
the state, which survived the changes of two constitutional revisions, 
was another heirloom of the colonial period, and was established origin- 
ally under the charter of 1686, for the counties of New York and Albany, 
and was made general to the province by the act of 1691. Under the 
first constitution the number of judges was various, there being as many 
as twelve in some counties, but the act of 1818 limited the judges to 
five in each county, including the first judge. The constitution of 1821 
continued the court, and its judges held office five years under appoint- 
ment by the governor and senate. The court, except in the county of 
New York, was abolished by the constitution of 1846. 

Surrogate's courts, one of which exists in each county of the state, are 
now courts of record, having a seal, and their especial jurisdiction 
is the care and settlement of estates of infants and of deceased persons. 
The derivation of the powers and practice of these courts is from the 
Ecclesiastical court of England, also in part through the Colonial Coun- 
cil which existed during the rule of the Dutch, and exercised its au- 
thority in accordance with Dutch Roman law, the custom of Aasdom, 
the Court of Burgomasters and Scheppens, the Orphan Masters, the 
Mayor's, the Prerogative and the Probate courts. Under the colony 
the Prerogative court controlled all matters relating to the probate of 
wills and settlement of estates, but in 1692, by an act then passed, all 
probates and granting of letters of administration were to be under the 
hand of the governor or his delegate, and two freeholders were appointed 
in each town to care for the estates of persons dying intestate. Under 
the Duke's laws this duty had been performed by the constables, over- 
seers and justices of each town. In 1778 the governor was divested of 
all these powers, except the appointment of surrogate, and they were 
conferred on the judge of the Court of Probate. Under the first con- 



320 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

stitution surrogates were appointed by the Council of Appointment, but 
under the second by the governor with the approval of the senate. The 
constitution of 1846 provided that the county judge should perform the 
duties of surrogate in counties of less than 40,000 inhabitants. By the 
code of civil procedure, surrogates are clothed with all the necessary 
powers to carry out the equitable and incidental requirements of their 
office. In its present form, and sitting weekly, this court affords a 
cheap and expeditious medium for the care and settlement of estates 
and the guardianship of infants. 

The only remaining courts which are common to the whole state are 
the Special Sessions, held by justices of the peace for the trial of minor 
offences, and Justices' courts with limited civil jurisdiction. Previous 
to the constitution of 1821 (modified in 1828) justices were appointed, 
but since that time have been elected. The office and its duties are 
descended from the English office of the same name, but are much less 
important, and under the laws of this state are purely creatures of the 
statute. The office is of little importance in the administration of law, 
and with the loss of its old-time power has lost much of its former dig- 
nity. 

This brief survey of the courts of the state, which omits only those 
that are purely local in character, gives some idea of the machinery 
provided for the use of the members of the bench and bar at the time 
of the creation of Broome county in 1806. 

The organization of the courts in Broome county was accomplished 
with little difficulty and no ceremony. Indeed, when the county was 
set off from Tioga our people were well accustomed to courts and other 
proceedings in law. In 1703 courts were held at the house of Joshua 
Whitney in the little hamlet called Chenango village, which was located 
in the town of Union, on the west side of the river, and less than 
half a mile north of the present northern boundary of the city. At 
that time Abraham Miller was first judge of Tioga county; James 
McMaster was sheriff, and Thomas Nicholson was clerk of the court. 
Once in each year these worthies and their successors in office held a 
term of the Common Pleas and General Sessions of the peace at the 
house of the elder Joshua Whitney until 1801, when the legislature 
authorized courts to be held at the house of Joshua Whitney (son of 
Joshua, of Chenango village) in the town of Chenango. The house of 
Joshua Whitney, or General Whitney, as afterward known, stood very 
near the intersection of Court and Water streets. Courts were held 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 331 

there until the erection of the first court house, which stood about on 
the site of the present Perry building; and continued to be held there 
until after Broome county had become a separate jurisdiction. As a 
matter of history the statement may be made that Tioga became a two- 
shire county in 1792. Separate jury districts were formally established 
in 1801, and were continued until after Broome county had been set off. 

In May, 1806, Broome county was created, and at the same time the 
legislature authorized two sessions of the Court of Common Pleas and 
General Sessions of the peace to be held therein; and also, under the 
laws then existing, authorized at least one term of the Supreme or Cir- 
cuit court to be held at the same place. The first judicial officers of 
the county were Gen. John Patterson, of Lisle, first judge; and James 
Stoddard, of Lisle, Amos Patterson, of Union, and Daniel Hudson, of 
Chenango, associate judges. In the following year, 1807, George 
Harpur and Mason Wattles, both of Windsor, were added to the num- 
ber of associate judges. 

In May, 1809, Daniel Hudson succeeded to the first judgeship, while 
James Stoddard and Amos Patterson were appointed associates, John 
Brown, of Berkshire, being added to the latter number in October of 
that year. Stephen Mack, of Owego, became first judge, and Jacob 
McKinney, of Chenango Point, one of the associate judges, in 1810. 
In 1812 the names of William Chamberlain, Tracy Robinson, Samuel 
Rexford, Asa Beach, Chester Lusk, Joseph Waldo, Mason Wattles, 
George Harpur, William Camp and Daniel Le Roy appear as associates 
to Judge Mack. 

John R. Drake succeeded to the office of first judge in April, 1815, 
and continued in that position until 1823. During his term the associ- 
ate judges were Briant Stoddard, of Union, Jonathan Lewis, of Lisle, 
Mason Wattles and David Williams, all of whom were reappointed in 
1815; William Stuart and Anson Camp in 1817; Thomas Blakeslee, 
David Williams and Jonathan Lewis in 1821, and David Barstow in 
1822. 

In 1823 the Court of Common Pleas was reorganized under the pro- 
visions of the constitution of 1821, and Dr. Tracy Robinson was ap- 
pointed first judge, with Nathaniel Bos worth, Briant Stoddard, Thomas 
Blakeslee and David Barstow as associates. In 1827 these judges were 
reappointed, with the exception of Oliver Stiles in the place of Judge 
Bosworth. In 1832 General Waterman succeeded Judge Stiles. 

William Seymour was appointed first judge in 1833 and served till 

21 



322 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

the abolition of the Common Pleas court under the constitution of 1846. 
Among the associate judges who served during his term of office were 
Dr. Robinson, Briant Stoddard (who succeeded Dr. Robinson in 1834), 
George Wheeler, Grover Buel and John Allen. All were reappointed 
in 1838. 

The first term of the Supreme or Circuit court in this county was held 
in May, 1807, Judge Daniel D, Tompkins, presiding, and Amos Patter- 
son, Mason Wattles and George Harpur, associates. The first case 
tried was that of James Jackson and James Caldwell vs. John Hollen- 
beck. The jury comprised Lewis Squires, Jesse Wilmot, Benj. Gibbs, 
Solomon Moore, Elias Morse, Daniel Clark, William Collins, Alvah 
Leonard, Reuben Stephens, Stephen Piatt, Joshua Adams and Samuel 
Crocker. In May, 1808, another term of the court was held at the 
court house, with Justice Smith Thompson on the bench. So long as 
this court was in existence under the first and second constitutions 
Broome county furnished no presiding justice. The first incumbent 
of the office, resident in the county, was Ransom Balcom, whose first 
term began January 1, 1856. 

THE BENCH. 

Ransom Balcolm was a native of Chenango county, and was born in 
1818. His early life was spent in Oxford, where he acquired a good 
education in the famous old Oxford academy. He read law in the same 
village and was duly admitted to practice. In 1847 he was elected to 
the assembly from Chenango county, and was generally recognized as 
one of the leading young lawyers in that region. Soon after 1850 he 
came to Binghamton to practice, and became junior partner in the law 
firm of Hotchkiss, Seymour & Balcom. In the Republican convention 
of 1855 Mr. Balcom was the successful candidate for the office of justice 
of the Supreme court, and was elected in November following. His 
term began January 1, 1856, and continued eight years. In 1863 he 
was re-elected for a like term, and in 1871 was elected for a term of 
fourteen years. He served until May, 1877, when failing health com- 
pelled his retirement from the bench, but relief from the cares and 
responsibilities of office had not the desired effect. The judge had be- 
come broken and worn out during the long period of his judicial career 
and he died on January 6, 1879. In January, 1863, as one of the 
justices of the Supreme court having the shortest time to serve, Judge 
Balcom sat on the bench of the Court of Appeals. 




RANSOM BALCOM. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 323 

Judge Balcom is Still kindly remembered by our older members of 
the bar, and was undoubtedly one of the most agreeable trial justices 
on the circuit in this district, and one for whom the entire bar enter- 
tained the highest regard. While on the circuit he never lacked the 
championship of the profession, for after adjournment his rooms were 
always filled with the brightest lights of the bar, and among all, the 
judge himself was one of the readiest wits. His popularity through- 
out'the sixth district was well shown in the following remark made by 
Judge Martin at a meeting of the bar of this county after Judge Bal- 
com\ death: " Perhaps I have had a better opportunity for the last 
year and a half to learn the feelings of the members of the profession 
throughout the district than any other person here; and the feeling has 
been but a single one— one of respect, one of sympathy for him who 
has passed away. I have never, since I have been upon the bench, 
gone into a single county in this judicial district where there have not 
been tender inquiries after him who was prostrated by disease. This 
indicated an attachment and respect which I have seldom seen in re- 
gard to any living person." 

Celora E. Martin, present associate judge of the Court of Appeals, was 
born in Newport, Herkimer county, August 23, 1834. His father, 
Ellis Martin, was a farmer in Newport, and was the son of Aaron Mar- 
tin, a Rhode Islander by birth and a pioneer in Herkimer county, 

N. Y. 

Judge Martin (we prefer to speak of him as judge, even m alludmgto 
the events of his early life, as all the bar and all the people of Broome 
county know him best as Judge Martin) acquired his early education 
in the district schools, a select school in Newport, and in the academies 
at Fairfield and Holland Patent. He then read law in the office of John 
C Harris of Newport, and in July, 1856, was admitted to practice. In 
the next year he opened an office in the village of Whitney's Point, 
where he lived and practiced eleven years. In 1867 he became partner 
with Orlow W. Chapman, but retained his office in Whitney's Point 
until 1868, when he removed to Binghamton. 

As a member of the law firm of Chapman & Martin, the judge is best 
remembered by the bar, for in that relation his true legal capacity was 
developed and brought into full play in the extensive and varied prac- 
tice in which the firm engaged. The writer well recalls the period of 
years between 1870 and 1880 when the number of cases on the calendar 
often exceeded two hundred, and the firm name of Chapman & Martin 



324 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

appeared on one side or the other of at least one-third of them. It is 
no idle compliment to say that this firm stood at the head of the bar, 
not only in the county but in southern New York. Mr. Chapman was 
the orator, and as an advocate at the bar was the peer of any lawyer in 
the region, while Judge Martin devoted himself particularly to the prep- 
aration of cases for trial and also to the examination of witnesses in 
court. He could, and on frequent occasions did, present a legal argu- 
ment to the court or an address to the jury, both with telling effect, but 
his especial forte was in the actual preparation and trial of causes rather 
than their argument. He was, moreover, one of the most careful 
students of the county bar, and never went half prepared into the trial 
of a case; or if in any emergency that preparation was not complete, 
the other side never discovered the defect. 

Dnring the period of his practice in Binghamton, Judge Martin was 
naturally somewhat drawn into the arena of politics, and in one of the 
most heated presidential campaigns in the history of the country he 
was chairman of the county committee. Yet he never, during all that 
period, sought public office, but often refused it. However in May, 
1877, he was appointed by Governor Robinson as successor to Judge 
Balcom, who had recently retired from the bench by reason of impaired 
health. In November following he was the nominee of both the Re- 
publican and Democratic parties for the Supreme court judgeship, hence 
was unanimously elected at the polls. He was re elected in November 
1891. On November 23, 1887, he was taken from the Circuit and ap- 
pointed to the General Term of the fourth department, and served as 
one of its justices until that court was abolished by the constitution of 
1894. In November, 1895, he was elected associate judge of the Court 
of Appeals. 

In this elevation to the bench of the highest court in the state, Judge 
Martin has reached the goal of his legal ambition. On the circuit he 
was known as one of the most efficient and rapid trial judges in the 
state; on the General Term bench his legal powers were more clearly 
apparent, and many times the writer has heard leading lawyers declare 
that if they could get "an opinion from Judge Martin the judgment 
was pretty sure to stand with the Court of Appeals." In his present 
position Judge Martin is at his best; in almost daily association with 
the leading legal minds of the state, where men of his erudition and 
attainments find full scope for all their powers, he thus can aid in the 
honest and able administration of law. 




CELORA E. MARTIN. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 325 

On September 33, 1857, Celora E. Martin married with Aimanza R. 
Barney, daughter of Jonathan and Nancy Barney, of Newport, N. Y. 
Three children were born of this marriage, viz. : Mary L., wife of Isaac 
T. Stoddard; Fannie A., wife of F. Newell Gilbert; and Nellie T., 
wife of George C. McMurty. Mrs. Martin died December 12, 1898. 

George F. Lyon, present justice of the Supreme court, was born in 
the town of Barker, July 13, 1849. His father was Harry Lyon, for 
for many years a merchant and respected citizen of Binghamton. His 
mother was Pamelia (Livermore) Lyon. About 1859 the family re- 
moved from Barker to the then village of Binghamton. George spent 
his youth on a farm and attended a district school. He finished his 
early education in the union schools and Binghamton academy, gradu- 
ating from the latter in 1867. He entered Hamilton college in 1868, 
and was graduated in 1872; studied law with Chapman & Martin; was 
admitted to practice in 1875, and became partner with his former legal 
tutors, January 1, 1876. On the accession of Judge Martin to the bench 
in 1877 the law firm of Chapman & Lyon was formed, and was con- 
tinued until the death of the senior partner in 1890. After Mr. Chap- 
man's death Mr. Lyon continued practice alone until his elevation to 
the bench of the Supreme court, January 1, 1896. He was the nominee 
both of his own — the Republican — and of the Democratic party, hence 
his election was practically without opposition. 

Previous to his election to the Supreme court judgeship. Judge Lyon 
was a prominent factor in Broome county Republican politics, and was 
chairman of the county committee of his party from 1884 to 1895. In 
1894 he was a member of the New York State Constitutional conven- 
tion. From 1888 to 1899 he was president of the Broome County Bar 
association. On April 9, 1884, George F. Lyon married with Elizabeth 
R. Mather, daughter of Henry and Frances Mather, and granddaugh- 
ter of Mason Whiting, the latter one of Binghamton's pioneer residents 
and lawyers. 

William Seymour was the first educated lawyer to fill the office of 
first judge of the Common Pleas. His predecessors on the bench have 
been mentioned, and were chosen from among the foremost men of the 
county. While they were not "learned in the law " they were never- 
theless efficient officers and dispensed law and justice with the same 
good judgment as their more learned successors. Mr. Seymour first 
came to Binghamton in 1802 and acquired his legal education in the 
office of Daniel Le Roy. He was licensed to practice in 1806, at the 



326 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

first term of court held after the erection of Broome county. He soon 
afterward settled in Windsor village, where he practiced until 1833, 
when he succeeded to the bench. From 1812 to 1828 he was a justice 
of the peace in Windsor, and was generally known as " Squire Sey- 
mour." He is recalled as a good judicial officer, and a man much re- 
spected in the county. He stood high in political circles, and in 1834 
was elected to congress. Of his life after retiring from the bench little 
is known. As has been stated, he was the first lawyer to act as first 
judge of the Common Pleas, and was also the last of the judges of that 
court, the latter having passed out of existence in 1846. 

Edward C. Kattell, the first incumbent of the office of county judge 
under the constitution of 1846, was born at Kattellville in 1817, and 
was a lifelong resident of this county. He was the son of Elias Kat- 
tell, the latter a settler in the county in 1796, but formerly a Vermonter. 
Edward was the youngest of three children of Elias Kattell, the others 
being Alonzo and Jane (wife of Dr. Royal R. Carr) Kattell. He was 
educated in the common schools and in New York city, and when his 
legal studies were completed he was known as one of the most scholarly 
young lawyers at the bar. He read law with William M. Patterson and 
was admitted to practice about 1840. Six years later he was elected 
county judge, as the candidate of the Whig party. 

Judge Kattell served on the bench of the County court from June, 
1846, to January 1, 1852. He was one of the most popular members of 
the old bar, for he possessed the fortunate quality of being always 
pleasant and companionable, with a strong vein of humor in his nature. 
In politics he was originally a Whig, and was one of the organizers of 
the Republican party in the county. During the war of 1861-65, Judge 
Kattell was provost marshal of this district, and spent much of his time 
at the headquarters in Owego. He did not afterward engage actively 
in law practice, but in 1867, in company with Colonel Wells, Era.stus 
Evans, William R. Osborne and others, he founded the Binghamton 
Oil Refining company. He was president of that corporation until 
his death, August 29, 1882. Judge Kattell's wife was Abigail Toby, of 
Wareham, Mass. 

John R. Dickinson succeeded to the bench of the County court, Janu- 
ary 1, 1851. He was a native of Chenango county, and came to Bing- 
hamton in 1831. He read law in the office of his brother, Daniel S. 
Dickinson, and was admitted to practice in the Supreme court, and also 
the Court of Chancery, in 1838. He was surrogate from 1844 to 1847, 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 32-7 

and county judge from 1851 to 1855. Judge Dickinson was one of the 
prominent lawyers of Bingliamton for many years, but neither in the 
profession nor political life did he attain the distinguished prominence 
enjoyed by his elder brother. 

Horace S. Griswold, countyjudge and surrogate from January 1, 1856, 
to the time of his death, August 9, 1870, was one of the most popular 
members of the old bar and one of the most capable incumbents of the 
bench of the County court. He was born in Huntington, Pa., October 
24, 1813, and at the age of sixteen years came to Binghamton to attend 
school; he remained one year. In 1832 his father. Dr. Griswold, re- 
moved to Broome county and settled on the west side of the Chenango, 
about three miles above the village, on what for many years afterward 
was known as the "Griswold farm." In the spring of 1837 the family 
moved to the village. Horace was a student at the Cazenovia seminary 
from 1833 to 1836, and prepared to enter Hamilton college, but the 
death of his mother changed his plans. He then read medicine under 
his father's direction, with an intention to enter the medical profession, 
but in 1837 he began a course of law study with Joseph K. Rugg, and 
was admitted to the bar in 1840; later on he was admitted to practice 
in the United State courts. Judge Griswold — he was best known by that 
title — at once took a prominent position at the county bar. He pos- 
sessed fortunate traits of character and seemed especially fitted by na- 
ture for his chosen profession. As a lawyer he was successful and se- 
cured a large and lucrative practice, and throughout his entire career 
he had the respect, confidence and esteem both of his clients and the 
bar in general. During the thirty years of his professional life his part- 
ners, in succession, were Joseph K.Rugg, Solomon Judd and George A. 
Northrup. In November, 1855, he was elected to the bench of the 
County court, and was re-elected three times. In his official capacity 
Judge Griswold is best remembered by the bar, by whom it is said he 
was a superior judicial officer and was seldom mistaken as to the exist- 
ence or form of any rule of law. He delighted in imparting knowl- 
edge, and there was no mind so dull as to fail to comprehend his state- 
ments and illustrations of legal principles. Withal, he was a model 
citizen, a devoted husband and father and an honor to his profession. 
At the time of his death Judge Griswold was president of the Bingham- 
ton Savings bank, vice-president of the City National bank and a trus- 
tee of the Inebriate Asylum. In 1869 he was elected school commis- 
sioner of the second ward. 



328 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

Benjamin Newberry Loomis, county judge by appointment from 
August 18, 1870 to January 1, 1871, was born September 15, 1810, in 
East Windsor, Conn. He was the son of Nathaniel and Anna (Williams) 
Loomis and with his parents settled in Pawlet, Vermont, in 1814. He 
was educated in the Vermont common schools and select high school 
for teachers, and graduated from the latter at the age of 
twenty years. Still later he was a student of Latin and modern lan- 
guages and the sciences at Granville, after which he devoted himself 
to teaching in various schools in Saratoga county, N. Y., and to still 
further study in the old Fairfield academy. His education was com- 
pleted at Cazenovia, from which village he came, in 1835, to Bingham - 
ton and taught school, and also read law with Joseph K. Rugg and 
Daniel S. Dickinson. At Albany, in October, 1838, he was admitted 
to practice in the Supreme court, and soon afterward was licensed to 
chancery practice in New York city, by Chancellor Walworth. He at 
once opened an office in Binghamton and was appointed master and ex- 
aminer in chancery, continuing in that office until it was abolished by 
the constitution of 1846. In 1844 he was elected justice of the peace, 
serving twelve years, and thus acquired the title of "Squire" Loomis. 
In 1870 he was appointed county judge to fill the vacancy caused by the 
death of Judge Grisvvold, and served until January 1, following. He 
was the nominee of his party for the office in the fall of 1870, but at 
that time a Democratic candidate in Broome county could not hope for 
success at the polls. 

At the time of his death in 1898, Judge Loomis was the senior mem- 
ber of the bar of Broome county and was one of the most highly es- 
teemed citizens of Binghamton. His allegiance to Democracy was un- 
yielding, yet he was always conservative in the expression of his polit- 
ical opinions. He was appointed acting village attorney in 1842; was 
elected village president in 1858; mayor of the city in 1873; was a Til- 
den presidential elector in 1876; was one of the organizers of the Che- 
nango Valley Savings bank, and its vice-president until his death. 
Judge Loomis had a large office practice, giving special attention to the 
care of estates, and the investment of money under trusteeship. He 
had little inclination for the trial of contested cases in court but devoted 
himself to work in the office. 

In October, 1837, Benjamin N. Loomis married with Sarah, daughter 
of Howell Gardiner, of Saratoga county. The children of this marriage 
were Benjamin F. Loomis, now attorney of the Central-Hudson Rail- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 329 

road company; Horace Loomis, a civil engineer connected with the 
public works department of New York city; Edward H. Loomis, of the 
Central- Hudson freight department; Charles W. Loomis, of the Bing- 
ham ton bar; and Mary A., Clara M. and Nellie G. Loomis. 

William B. Edwards was county judge and surrogate of Broome 
county from January 1, 1871, to January 1, 1888, a period of eighteen 
years, and with the single exception of Judge Kattell, was the onl}^ in- 
cumbent of the office who was a native of the county. Judge Edwards 
was born in Lisle, February 13, 1829, and was of New England stock, 
being a descendant of Rev. Jonathan Edwards, a noted metaphysician, 
author of " Freedom of the Will," and at the time of his death, presi- 
dent of Princeton college. Edward Edwards, grandfather of William 
B. Edwards, was the pioneer of the family in what is now this county, 
having settled here in 1795. The judge spent his early life in Lisle, 
and was edvicated in the schools of that town and in the Binghamton 
academy. He finished his school course in Portland academy in 1850, 
and then began teaching. He read law with Alexander McDowell, 
was admitted to practice in 1853, and at once became partner with his 
legal tutor, under the firm style of McDowell & Edwards. The prac- 
tice of this firm was both at Lisle and the county seat. The partner- 
ship was maintained until Judge Edwards' election to the bench of the 
County court in the fall of 1870. 

Judge Edwards served on the bench three full terms of six years 
each, and is remembered as possessing a good understanding of law. 
He was therefore an efficient and capable judicial officer. He had little 
sympathy for unrepentant criminals, yet dealt leniently when a hope 
of reformation was probable. Throughout the long period of his ser- 
vice. Judge Edwards' relations with the legal profession of the county 
were always pleasant and he was much respected both by the bar and 
people. After leaving the bench he resumed practice in the city, giv- 
ing special attention to work in connection with the Surrogate's court. 
He lived prudently and was of industrious, frugal habits, hence accumu- 
lated a fair property, but trusting too much to the representations of 
others, he was led into unfortunate investments which seriously 
impaired his fortune, and undoubtedly shortened his life. He died 
Nov. 33, 1893. At one time Judge Edwards was a director of the Sus- 
quehann I Valley bank, and of the Whitney-Noyes Seed company; he 
was vice-president of the Binghamton Savings bank, and was one of 
the city park commission and secretary of the board. Judge Edwards' 



330 BINGHAMTON ITS SETTLEMENT, 

wife was Mary J. McCall, by whom he had two children : Helen E., 
wife of Frank Snyder, and William Howell Edwards, a teacher in the 
Boys' High school of Brooklyn. 

Taylor L. Arms, present county judge and surrogate, was born in 
Guilford, Chenango county, February 3, 1847, and was the sixth of 
nine children of Samuel and Phebe (Arnold) Arms. His father was a 
farmer and until eighteen years old Taylor lived on the farm, working 
and attending district school. He completed his elementary education 
at the Norwich academy, and at the Delaware Literary institute at 
Franklin. In 1869 he was employed as clerk in a general store in Nor- 
wich, after which he kept books for E. Smith & Co., forwarding and 
commission merchants on the line of the old Chenango canal. In 1873 
Mr. Arms began reading law at Unadilla, in the office of Clifford vS . 
Arms, his brother, and at the general term of the Supreme court held 
at Binghamton in May, 1876, he was admitted to practice law. He at 
once became a partner with his brother at Unadilla, under the firm 
style of Arms & Arms. In the fall of 1879 the firm was dissolved, and 
Taylor L. Arms came to live and practice in Binghamton. Two years 
later his brother removed to the city and the old firm name of Arms & 
Arms was restored. This relation was continued to 1884, when Taylor 
L. Arms was appointed division deputy of the 21st Internal revenue 
district of New York. The partnership was then dissolved and for the 
next two years Mr. Arms divided his time between the revenue office 
and law practice. In 1886 he resigned the office and formed a law 
partnership with George B. Curtiss, the firm style being Arms & Cur- 
tiss. This firm was continued until January 1, 1889, when Judge Arms 
began his first term as county judge and surrogate, to which office he 
was elected in November, 1888. He was re-elected in 1894. Ten 
years of active professional life had given Judge Arms an extensive 
acquaintance in Broome county, and during that period his voice was 
frequently heard in each political campaign as well as in the trial of 
causes in court. His Republicanism required no test to prove its qual- 
ity ; his professional capacity was well established ; his integrity was 
never questioned, hence he was chosen by the bar and Republicans of 
the county as the natural successor of Judge Edwards. Other candi- 
dates of course were in the field, yet Judge Arms' nomination was easily 
accomplished, while his election was beyond the question of doubt. 
His first term of service on the bench of the County court was entirely 
satisfactory both to the bar and the people, and his renomination was 




TAYLOR L. ARMS. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 331 

practically without opposition. Further comment on the professional 
and political career of our county judge is unnecessary ; his constituents 
have ever been satisfied with their choice. Judge Arms is a Templar 
Mason, and also a member of the Masonic bodies and the several social 
clubs of the city. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church. 
On October 11, 187G, Taylor L. Arms married Ada Frances Lines, 
daughter of M. H. Lines, manufacturer of leather goods in Utica. Of 
this marriage four children have been born, of whom three are now 
living. 

REMINISCENCES OF THE OLD BAR. 

In its personnel and practice the bar of Binghamton has always main- 
tained an elevated position and among its members have been some of 
the best legal and judicial minds of the state. Beginning with the organi- 
zation of the county and continuing thence to the present time there 
have been leaders at its circuits whose character and attainments have 
placed them in the "front rank of the profession. It is indeed difficult 
to separate the few from the many and exalt them above their fellows, 
yet in writing of the old bar we may properly recall those whose lives 
and character, ability and power, naturally marked them as leaders of 
the profession in their time. In preceding paragraphs the attempt has 
been made to mention in a general way the distinguishing character- 
istics of those who attained to positions on the bench, in view of which 
it is appropriate that some brief mention be made of the laity of the 
profession, whose energies and powers were devoted to the arduous 
labors of trials of cases in court, or who, having political ambition 
gratified at the polls, thus became prominent in the civil history of the 
county and state. 

Balthazar de Hart was undoubtedly the pioneer lawyer of Bingham- 
ton, having come to the little settlement on Chenango Point as early as 
1801. He was a native of New Jersey, in which state he was educated 
for the profession, and where, also, he acquired the title of judge. He 
afterward practiced in New York City, and is said to have been associ- 
ated with Alexander Hamilton; but financial reverses so impaired his 
fortune that personal mortification impelled him to seek some new field. 
He therefore came to Chenango Point, and is remembered as a man of 
good capacity, though not specially prominent in the profession in the 
village. 

James de Hart, brother of the judge, came about the same time. He 
was a lawyer, but seldom appeared in court. 



333 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

Daniel Le Roy came to the village in 1801, and is remembered not 
only as a lawyer of excellent ability, but also as one of the foremost 
men in the work of developing- the resources of the region. He was 
the owner of a considerable tract of land at the lower end of what is 
now Front street, and Le Roy street was named after him. He was 
at one time law partner with John A. Collier, and so great was the es- 
teem in which he was held by the latter that the once pretentious block 
where now stands the Ross and O'Neil buildings was named by Mr. 
Collier in honor of Mr. Le Roy. In 1817 Mr. Le Roy sold all his re- 
maining property interests to hispartner and removed from the village. 

Mason Whiting was one of the earliest educated lawyers to settle in 
the village at the beginning of the century, being attracted hither, no 
doubt, by the fact that this part of Tioga county formed a halfshire 
district. Squire Whiting, as he was called, was not only learned in the 
law, but was one of the most prominent figures in our early history, 
and was distinguished alike for his legal ability, his upright personal 
character and his honorable ancestry. His family surname is not now 
known in the city, though his descendants are among the most highly 
respected of our people. Mr. Whiting was born in Great Harrington, 
Mass , May 3, 1774; he was the son of Dr. William Whiting, of Hart- 
ford, Conn. ; the grandson of Colonel William Whiting, of Bozrah ; the 
great-grandson of Rev. Samuel Whiting, of Windham; the great-great 
grandson of Rev. John Whiting, of Hartford, and great-great-great 
grandson of William Whiting, the immigrant ancestor of the family. 
His maternal ancestry was equally distinguished, his mother, Anna 
Mason, being of the fifth generation of descent from Major-General and 
Deputy-Governor John Mason, the hero of the Pequot war. He was 
also a cousin of Jeremiah Mason, a distinguished lawyer and jurist of 
New England. 

Mr. Whiting was educated at the Greenfield academy, under the in- 
struction of Timothy Dwight, afterward president of Yale college. He 
read law with Barnabas Bidwell, of Stockbridge, and was admitted to 
the bar in 1791. He practiced at Lanesboro and Great Harrington 
about ten years, and in 1801 came to Chenango Point, where he was a 
pioneer, both in the legal profession and in the development of the 
locality. His first home was on the bank of the Chenango, in a log 
house, but in 1805 he built a more pretentious frame residence, which 
still stands, at the southeast corner of Water and Hawley streets. His 
office was a one-story frame building on the river bank. Mr. Whiting 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 333 

was member of assembly in 1816, district attorney in 1833 and again in 
1831-37, and clerk of the board of supervisors from 1821 to 1836. He 
was active in professional and political circles and one of the most use- 
ful men of the village in his time. His wife was Mary Edwards, with 
whom he married April 26, 1800. Their children were Mary E., who 
married with John T. Doubleday; William E., a successful merchant 
of New York for many years and afterward officially connected with the 
American Missionary society; Caroline, who married with Richard Math- 
er; Rhoda Ann, wife of Ralph Lester; Frances, who married with Henry 
Mather and is one of the oldest living natives of Binghamton; Mason, 
once a merchant of Binghamton but afterward of New York; Catharine 
S,, who became the wife of Uriah M. Stowers, of Binghamton and 
Scran ton; and Amelia O., who married with William S. Tyler, D.D., 
LL. D., of Amherst college. 

Daniel Rogers and William Seymour came to the village in 1802. 
Mr, Seymour is mentioned at length as one of the Common Pleas judges, 
while little is now known of Mr. Rogers' antecedents or professional at- 
tainments. He was for a time partner with Mr. Le Roy, but after- 
ward removed to New York, where he published the City Hall Re- 
corder. 

William Low became a member of the county bar in 1801, remained 
a few years and then removed to Cortland county. 

William Stuart, familiarly known in early village history as Judge 
Stuart, was one of the most conspicuous figures in the legal profession 
in the county for many years, and a patriot of the Revolution, having 
abandoned school to enter the American army. He served with marked 
valor in many of the severest battles of the war, and came to Geneva 
with an untarnished record and also a good legal education, the latter 
having been acquired in New York city. In March, 1796, he was ap- 
pointed assistant attorney-general for the western district of the state, 
and located at Geneva in connection with his official duties. In 1802 
he was appointed district attorney for Tioga county and thereupon se- 
lected Chenango Point as a place of residence. He came the next year 
and was afterward closely identified with the civil and political history 
of the village and county. He was one of the judges of the Common 
Pleas from 1817 to 1821. Judge Stuart died in Binghamton, leaving 
descendants who were also prominent in local history, as will be seen 
by reference to other chapters of this work. 

Sherman Page, elder brother of Gen. Julius Page, came in 1803, prac- 
ticed a short time and then removed to Unadilla. 



334 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Robert Monell, afterward Judge Monell, came to practice law in this 
county in 1807, having- been previously admitted to the bar. He built 
an office on Water street in 1808, which he occupied until 1811, when 
he removed to Greene, where he attained a high standing in the pro- 
fession as justice of the Supreme court. 

John A. Collier was one of the most distinguished members of the 
old bar, and was also one of the chief factors in building up a prosper- 
ous condition of affairs in the village. He was an extensive real estate 
operator both in the village and vicinity, and was the owner of Watts' 
Patent, comprising 14,000 acres which he purchased in 1835 at a cost of 
$10,000. He was not a bold operator, and all his transactions were the 
result of mature deliberation. Mr. Collier was well satisfied that Bing- 
hamton was destined to become a flourishing city, and that the sur- 
rounding country would ultimately become well settled and developed. 
He therefore made large investments and subsequent events proved the 
accuracy of his judgment, and a splendid fortune was his reward. 

Mr. Collier was born in Litchfield, Conn., November 13, 1787, and 
was graduated at Yale college. He was admitted to the bar at Troy', 
N. Y., in 1809, and in the same year came to Binghamton to practice. 
In 1810 he became law partner with Daniel Le Roy. The practice of 
the firm was large, but each member of the firm seemed inclined to 
operate in lands. In 1817 Mr. Le Roy sold all his real estate to his 
partner and removed from the village. Thus, with his large operations 
outside of professional work, Mr. Collier was always a very busy man, 
but whether lawyer, land dealer or citizen, he was the foremost man in 
the village in his time, and the acknowledged leader of the county bar. 
His knowledge of law was deep; his oratorical powers fine and per- 
suasive, and his long professional course a splendid success. His for- 
ensic efforts for half a century and more bear testimony to his great 
power and ability as a lawyer and an advocate. 

During the period of his active practice he was constantly engaged 
at every term of court, and his cool judgment, acute apprehension of 
the points of a case, quick perception of every advantage and every 
danger, and his indomitable energy gave confidence and frequently 
success to his clients, and made him a very powerful legal adversary. 
His clients knew he was incapable of trick, the bench knew that candor 
and fairness were his characteristics. He never sought public office, 
and often refused it; he never felt the "pride of office; " for him to 
fawn or scheme for it was an impossibility. And yet he was a public 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 335 

man. He was appointed district attorney June 11, 1818, and served to 
February 25, 1822; was elected to congress in 1830; was comptroller of 
state from January 27, 1841, to February 7, 1842; was one of the com- 
missioners under an act of the legislature to codify the laws of the state 
under the constitution of 1846; was elector at large in 1848, and presi- 
dent of the electoral college. Blessed with a happy family and an 
abundance of this world's goods, his home at Ingleside was the seat of 
comfort, generous hospitality and social enjoyment. 

Mr. Collier was thrice married. His first wife was Barbara Doty, 
whom he married in 1810. The children of this marriage were Frances, 
Julia, Henry M. and James Collier. His second wife was a Miss Shep- 
ard, who died six months after marriage. He next married Elizabeth 
Morris. Helen Stuyvesant Wright, wife of Thomas D. Wright, was 
the daughter of this marriage. (Thomas D. Wright was one of the 
brightest lights of the legal profession in this county previous to his 
death, and was once the partner of Daniel S. Dickinson). 

George Park — we all remember him best as Squire Park — came to 
the village bar in 1810, and from that time to his death, about twenty- 
five years ago, was closely identified with local growth and history. He 
was a native of Amenia, Duchess county, and was admitted to practice 
previous to his settlement here. Squire Park never assumed to be a 
strong lawyer, nor did he aim to attain a high standing in the profes- 
sion; but he was one of those quiet, observing characters who always 
easily find their way into public favor, and thus occupy a position of 
peculiar prominence. He was interested in every measure proposed 
for the welfare of the village and its people, and took an especial inter- 
est in the early history of the locality. His collection of material and 
manuscripts was large and valuable, but on his death they were sold 
and scattered. Squire Park was an uncompromising Democrat, yet 
not specially active in politics outside of the village. He was deputy 
county clerk in 1817-18; surrogate from 1823 to 1835, and filled the 
office of justice of the peace many years. From this office he acquired 
the title by which he was generally known. 

Thomas G. Waterman, otherwise known as General Waterman, and 
also as Judge Waterman, was an early member of the village bar, hav- 
ing come here from Connecticut in 3 813. He was educated at Yale 
college, and read law with Judge Sherwood. Although much of his 
business life was devoted to pursuits outside of the legal profession. 
General Waterman was nevertheless a lawyer of ability, and was the 



336 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

author of " The Justice's Manual," a work of much value in justice's 
court practice. He devoted his energies chiefly to lumbering and 
kindred pursuits, and thus withheld from the public the benefits to be 
derived from a splendid intellect. 

Peter Robinson, a native of New Hampshire and a graduate of Dart- 
mouth college, came to Binghamton in 1815. He read law with Gen- 
eral Waterman and was admitted in 1819. He is recalled as a lawyer 
of excellent abilities and a prominent figure in the early political history 
of the count3^ He was surrogate in 1822, district attorney from 1823 
to 1831, and in 1829 was elected to the assembly, served six years, at 
one time (1829) was speaker of the house. 

Daniel Stevens Dickinson, the most eminent lawyer, jurist and states- 
man who ever honored Binghamton with a residence and noble life and 
character, came to the county bar in 1831, when the village numbered 
hardly more than 1,500 inhabitants; and he was a continuous resident 
here until his death, April 12, 1866. He is still reverently remembered 
by all our older citizens, and to those who never saw or knew him in 
life an excellent idea of his magnificent personality can be obtained 
from the following public utterance of John A. Dix: " I never knew 
a man more free from all concealment. What he thought of men or 
measures he never hesitated to speak. There was nothing about him 
of what the world calls policy; nothing of what the phrenologists 
call secretiveness; nothing tortuous, but everything fair, open and di- 
rect. In controversy he may have been rough with an adversary, but 
he would have scorned to circumvent him by hidden or unworthy 
acts." 

Mr. Dickinson's professional life belonged to two counties — Chenango 
first, and then Broome; his public life was the property of the whole 
country, the union to which he was devoted and to which he freely gave 
his masterly powers. In the course of his long career much of his time 
was spent away from home, yet Binghamton has ever been benefited by 
his life, his works and his example ; and our people are ever ready to 
pay homage to his memory. Let us look briefly at the antecedents, 
birth and education of this man of mark, and then glance at his sub- 
sequent professional and public career. 

Mr. Dickinson was born in Goshen, Litchfield county, Conn., Sep- 
tember 11, 1800, and was the son of Daniel T. and Mary (Caulkins) 
Dickinson, his father being a farmer of moderate means. In 1806 the 
family left Connecticut and settled in Chenango county, N. Y., in the 




DANIEL S. DICKINSON. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 337 

town of Guilford, where they were pioneers and where the young life 
of our later intellectual giant was spent, at work on the farm or strug- 
gling for an education without one encouraging advantage to assist him 
other than his own determination to succeed. He did succeed, and 
eventually found a private tutor with whose assistance he was soon 
equipped for teaching others. He then set up a little school in his 
father's house, and was known as a school master until 1825, although 
he had previously determined to enter the legal profession and was 
preparing himself to that end. He read law in the office of Clark & 
Clapp, of Norwich, and in 1828 was admitted to practice in the Supreme 
court and also the Chancery courts of this state. He practiced in Guil- 
ford about three years, during a portion of which time he was post- 
master, but in 1831 he removed with his family to Binghamton. 

His practice in the county soon become large and varied, and he was 
at once recognized as a leading young lawyer and formidable opponent 
in any legal contest. His manner was pleasing, his address fine and 
oratorical, and his reasoning sound and logical. As years passed he 
gradually drifted away from close professional work more and more in- 
to the field of politics; and while this indulgence in no manner dwarfed 
his legal power, it doubtless deprived him of the splendid fortune 
which would have been his had he confined himself to the profession 
alone. Mr. Dickinson certainly was a lawyer of distinguished ability 
and an advocate of rare brilliancy and power, yet his grandest achieve- 
ments were the result of his public and political career. In 1834 he 
was elected president of the village and held that office four years. In 
1835 he was a delegate to the Democratic National convention that 
nominated Van Buren and Johnson. In 1836 he was elected to the 
state senate, and served through the legislative sessions of 1837-40. 
During this time he also served as a member of the Court for the Cor- 
rection of Errors, then the ultimate tribunal of the state. In 1840 he 
was the Democratic nominee for the office of lieutenant-governor, but 
was defeated at the polls. He was renominated and elected in 1842. 
As lieutenant-governor he was the presiding officer of the senate, pre- 
siding judge of the Court of Errors, vice-chancellor of the board of 
regents, and member of the state canal board. In 1844 he was a dele- 
gate to the Democratic National convention that nominated Polk and 
Dallas, and was a presidential elector the same year. In December 
following he was appointed to a seat in the United States senate, vice 
Talmadge, resigned. Upon the expiration of his term he was elected 

22 



338 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

to the same office and served six years. During his term in the upper 
house of congress, Mr. Dickinson found full scope for his powers, and 
he was prominently identified with all the leading questions of the time — 
the annexation of Texas, the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, the Oregon diffi- 
culty with England, and also the formation of governments for Cali- 
fornia, New Mexico, Oregon, etc. He earnestly advocated the annex- 
ation of Texas in a speech which engaged the attention of every states- 
man in the house, and was widely circulated throughout the country by 
the public press. With equal warmth he opposed the Oregon treaty 
with Great Britain on the well-founded ground that the latter power 
would acquire a vast area which justly belonged to the United States. 

In 1848 Mr. Dickinson was a delegate to the Democratic National 
convention at Baltimore, and warmly supported General Cass for the 
presidency. "In 1850," says Mr. Dickinson's latest biographer, 
" Henry Clay introduced in the senate a proposition for amicably ad- 
justing questions of dispute between the free and slave states growing 
out of the slavery question. The entire matter was referred to a select 
committee, of which Mr. Dickinson was a member. Mr. Clay was 
chairman, and Mr. Webster, General Cass, Mr. King, Mr. Clayton and 
other eminent senators were his co-laborers, who gave their ablest ef- 
forts in the cause. From January until September, 1850, the question 
in debate occasioned no little excitement, and was finally ended by the 
passage of bills admitting California to the union of states, organizing 
the territories of Utah and New Mexico without reference to the sub- 
ject of slavery, dispensing with the slave trade in the District of Colum- 
bia, and amending the law relating to fugitive slaves." 

During this eventful period in our national history, Mr. Dickinson 
was a power in congress and threw his every energy into the debates. 
So wonderful indeed was his intellectual strength as shown throughout 
this memorable period that after the session was closed Daniel Web- 
ster sent him a letter, expressing regret at certain incidents which oc- 
curred during their earlier acquaintance, and also commending his 
"noble, manly and patriotic conduct in support of the great measures 
of that session of congress." 

In 1852 Mr. Dickinson was again a delegate to the Democratic Na- 
tional convention at Baltimore, and was the warm supporter of his 
friend, General Cass. The balloting continued four days without re- 
sult, when Virginia cast her whole vote for Mr. Dickinson as the pres- 
idential nominee. Thus this distinguished honor was within his reach, 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 339 

but he was in the convention as a Cass delegate, and whatever may 
have been his feelings or aspirations, he would not violate his pledge, 
and declined the nomination. Had he accepted his election at the polls 
would have been virtually assured. 

In 1853 Mr. Dickinson was appointed collector of customs of the port 
of New York, but declined the office on account of professional and 
private engagements at home. From that time until his appointment 
as United States district attorney, in IS&S, our people saw more of their 
favorite citizen than formerly, while the old court room frequently re 
echoed with his thrilling oratory and his deep convincing arguments; 
and now, in our mind's eye, his figure can be seen, with a conventional 
swallow-tailed coat, stock collar and cravat, deep ruffled shirt front and 
long waving white hair reaching almost to his shoulders. Indeed he 
was a man of the nation, a schooled diplomat and statesman, and thor- 
oughly loyal American. Still, he was Binghamton's citizen, and our 
people delighted in honoring him. When our union school system was 
organized in 1861 he was commissioner of the first ward, and was also 
the first president of the board. 

After being somewhat released from the cares of business life, Mr. 
Dickinson purchased a considerable tract of land west of the Chenango 
and north of the railroads. This tract he subdivided and laid out with 
convenient streets, the latter being named in allusion to members of 
his family. The mansion house stood in an ample space on the east 
side of Front street, and was known as "The Orchard." The entire 
tract was known in the county records as Dickinson's Brook Meadow 
location, but now it is commonly mentioned as Dwightville. During 
the half-score of years following 1850, Mr. Dickinson spent much of 
his time at home, devoting himself to professional work and the de- 
velopment of his property, while his family and friends enjoyed the 
pleasure of his almost constant presence in the village. During this 
period, however, he was anxiously watching the current of political 
events just previous to the presidental campaign of 1860; and he un- 
doubtedly foresaw the results of the discussion of the slavery question, 
which then occupied the pubHc mind. On various occasions his voice 
was heard, and the writer's earliest recollections of him were in joint 
debate with Henry J. Raymond on the court house porch about 1859. 
When, following Mr. Lincoln's election, the crisis came and. war with the 
south could no longer be averted, Mr. Dickinson declared for the Union, 
and throughout that awful struggle he stood loyal and true, and aided 



340 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

the state and general government to raise and equip troops for the ser- 
vice, and also assisted in quieting the dissentient element at home. In 
1861 he was nominated by the Union party for the office of attorney- 
general, and was elected in November following, but in 1863 he declined 
a renomination. In the latter year his name was proposed for the 
governorship, but he gave no encouragement to the movement. About 
this time he was nominated by Mr. Lincoln, and was confirmed by the 
senate, as one of the commissioners to settle the northern boundary dis- 
pute with Great Britain, but this appoinment he also declined; and also 
declined a seat on the Court of Appeals bench which Gov. Fenton offered 
him about the same time. 

In April, 1865, Mr. Dickinson was appointed United States district 
attorney for the southern district of New York, and was performing the 
duties of that office at the time of his death, April 12, 1866, at the home 
of his son-in-law, Samuel G. Courtney, of New York city. The news 
of this sad event came upon our people as a terrible shock. Our strong- 
est man, our most distinguished citizen, had been suddenly taken away. 
Three days later the funeral was held at the Orchard, and our entire 
people paid his memory a last token of love when his body was laid in 
the grave in Spring Forest cemetery. In 1822 Mr. Dickinson married 
with Lydia, daughter of Dr. Colby Knapp, of Guilford. Their children 
were Virginia E., who married with Henry K, Murray; Lydia L., who 
became the wife of Samuel G. Courtney; Manco C, who died in 1850; 
and Mary S., wife of John T. Mygatt. 

George Bartlett was born in the old mountain town of Salisbury, 
Conn., November 12, 1817. He was the son of Col. Loring Bartlett, of 
Salisbury, and the nephew of Captain Isaac Bartlett, the latter the pi )neer 
of the Bartlett families of Tioga and Broome counties. The early life 
of George Bartlett was spent chiefly in Connecticut, where he acquired 
a good education. Later on he entered Union college, and was grad- 
uated in 1840, He then came to Binghamton and studied law in the 
office of Daniel S. Dickinson, and was admitted to practice about 1843 
or '44; and from that time to his death, April 14, 1870, he was one of 
the foremost lawyers of the county, and a criminal lawyer of distin- 
guished prominence in this part of the state. His practice was large and 
his relations with the bench and his professional associates were always 
of the most pleasant character. At the time of his death Mr. Bartlett 
was partner with Gilman L. Sessions. 

Mr. Bartlett was held in high esteem by Mr. Dickinson, his old legal 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 341 

tutor, "between whom and himself there grew up such an intimacy of 
a personal, professional and political nature, that no subsequent lapse 
of time, no changes of state or society, no professional rivalries or an- 
tagonisms, no party transactions or exactions, nothing but the death of 
that distinguished statesman could terminate." ' 

" In his professional life, though plain and outspoken, he was frank, 
genial and obliging, doing whatever he had to do in a direct straight- 
forward way, with no sympathy for circumlocution, and an undisguised 
contempt for tricks and technicalities. He was always ready to assist 
the weak, and never in his line of duty hesitated to encounter the 
strong. Ever ready to stand without flinching by his friends, yet car- 
ing lightly for those who would care to call themselves his enemies, he 
gained a reputation, even among his adversaries, as an honest man, 
who never trifled with his word or sold out a trust confided to him." 

"Like most professional men of that time Mr. Bartlett early be- 
came a politician, and was prominently connected with the Demo- 
cratic party. For many years in the old county of Broome, as an 
active political manager, no man, not even Dickinson himself, wielded 
a wider influence in the ranks of the undivided Democracy, than he. 
Party affiliations and personal sympathies made him of necessity a posi- 
tive party man; yet when he felt the time had come to sink all partisan- 
ships, and to rally, regardless of old watchwords and organizations, to 
the support of the government, no man came forward more promptly 
or was more outspoken than he, and none labored more earnestly for 
the establishment of the Union cause." 

In his speech before the legislature, at Albany, in the dark days of 
62, Mr. Bartlett said: "Whatever others may say or do, I have hung 
up the party harness until this contest is ended, and taken my position 
on the broad platform of the Union. " And again, in a subsequent speech, 
he exclaimed: " Sir, I have been all my life a Democrat and still claim 
to be one ; but irrespective of all party considerations, I am in favor of 
prosecuting this war till the last man and the last dollar shall have been 
raised, or until the old flag floats unresisted over our whole country." 

Such were the personal and professional characteristics of one who is 
justly entitled to mention among the distinguished members of the old 
city and county bar. Mr. Bartlett represented this county in the 
assembly in 1862. In 1852-53, and again in 1860, he was attorney for 
the village corporation. 

'Extracts of a sketch of Mr. Bartlett's professional and public life written by his former law 
partner. 



342 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Giles W. Hotchkiss was a practitioner at the bar of the courts of 
Broome county for a period of forty years, and was perhaps the strong- 
est trial lawyer and advocate that the county ever produced. He almost 
invariably prepared, tried and argued his own cases, although his part- 
ner, Lewis Seymour, with whom he was professionally associated many 
years, was noted as one of the shrewdest trial lawyers in southern New 
York. Mr. Hotchkiss was born in Windsor, October 25, 1815, and was 
educated in the common schools of that town, in the Windsor academy 
and in the old Oxford academy, the latter for many years one of the 
most noted educational institutions in this part of the state. During 
this period Mr. Hotchkiss worked to maintain as well as to educate 
himself, and of a truth it may be said that in every respect he was the 
"architect of his own fortune." More frequently than otherwise the 
night was half spent ere he laid down to sleep. This habit of night 
work clung to him throughout his professional career, and infrequently 
indeed did he leave the office earlier than one o'clock in the morning; 
and on occasion the court and jury were held awaiting his arrival after 
the morning session had opened. Still, the court was never known to 
rebuke Mr, Hotchkiss for tardiness, as his habit was too well known 
and too well fixed, and his worth was too well appreciated to attempt a 
change so radical. He was one of our legal giants and was the leading 
lawyer of the county for more than a quarter of a century. 

While engaged with his general studies Mr. Hotchkiss began reading 
law with F. G. Wheeler, of Windsor, and afterward completed his 
course in Judge Loomis' office in Binghamton. In November, 1837, 
he was admitted to practice in the Common Pleas and Chancery courts, 
and in the Supreme court, in 1840. His professional life was at once 
begun, and from that time until he was stricken with partial paralysis 
in November, 1877, his name appeared on the court calendar as fre- 
quently as that of any lawyer at the county bar. The law firm of Hotch- 
kiss & Seymour was formed in July, 1846, and was continued until 1853, 
when Mr. Balcom came into the firm. Judge Balcom went on the 
bench in 1856, upon which the old name was restored, and so remained 
until 1862, when Mr. Hotchkiss' election to congress necessitated his 
withdrawal from the partnership. At the close of his last term in con- 
gress he returned to the profession, and in 1873 Mr. Millard became 
his partner and active associate. 

Mr. Hotchkiss first represented his district in the 38th congress, in 
1863-65. He was re-elected to the 39th congress (1865-67) and also 




GILES W. HOTCHKISS. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 343 

to the 41st (1869-71). His official career is well stated in the words of 
his biographer, as follows: "In all the most trying years of the war 
and the delicate period of reconstruction he was one of the aggressive 
leaders of the dominant party in congress. The dark hours of that 
struggle bore no terrors for him. When others faltered he was as firm 
as a rock. When others counseled peace upon almost any terms, he 
insisted that death was better than dishonor, that the Union must be 
preserved at any cost, and that no peace could be permanent that did 
not right the wrongs and eradicate the causes that led to the war. Once 
only his strong heart failed: He could not bear to vote to send other 
men to the front while he remained in safety. Though in frail health, 
he resolved to resign and enlist for service in the field. In some way 
his plans were carried to President Lincoln, who sent for Mr. Hotch- 
kiss and impressed upon him the importance of remaining at his post, 
that the greatest danger then confronting the administration was the 
timidity and weakness of some of its friends, and that no resolute man 
like Mr. Hotchkiss could be spared from congress at that critical time. 
Other friends urged the same view, and he was persuaded to serve out 
his term." 

But to those who knew Mr. Hotchkiss best his official life and labors 
make up only a small part of that which was most admirable in the man 
and his career. As a lawyer his character was a model for imitation. 
He was always indefatigable in his labor in the examination and prepara- 
tion of causes; careful and conscientious in his conclusions and his ad- 
vice to clients; determined and unyielding in the vindication of the 
rights of his client, and in the defense of the principles which he as- 
serted with energy and thorough conviction ; properly deferential, but 
never more than that, to the court; courteous always to his antagonist, 
and never more so than when dealing his severest blows, and always 
especially kind and considerate to the younger and more timid members 
of the profession. 

As a stump speaker, addressing an assembly of farmers or mechanics, 
Mr. Hotchkiss at times was simply inimitable. The wit and pathos 
that sometimes brought tears and laughter and of pity almost commin- 
gled, the homely but striking illustrations, always drawn from the life 
of those he was addressing, and the deep pervading earnestness of 
everything he said, frequently made his appeals well nigh irresistible. 
But it was as an advocate before the court and the jury that Mr. Hotch- 
kiss was at his best. No matter how skillfully the opposing counsel 



344 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

had prepared and tried the case he was often compelled to sit by and 
see both law and facts which he supposed invincible swept away by the 
verdict after one of Mr. Hotchkiss' powerful arguments. Lawyers who 
perhaps were his superiors in all the niceties of legal lore and the train- 
ing and polish of the schools were not infrequently amazed to find their 
firmest logic and finest rhetoric of no avail against his native power 
and ability to convince. If the jury were farmers, his thoughts were 
of the farm; if mechanics, of the workshop. If the occasion had an 
amusing side his wit was equal to it, sometimes merciless, but never 
unkind or malignant. 

Mr. Hotchkiss was one of the founders of the Republican party in 
Broome county, and throughout his career he was one of the leading 
exponents of that party's principles in the state. Still he was not a 
seeker after public office, and declined several appointments to posi- 
tions of trust. He was the near friend of Ro?coe Conkling, and by the 
latter was held in high esteem. General Grant also had great regard 
for his noble qualities, and urged him to accept a place as a token of 
respect. The United States attorney-generalship for the southern dis- 
trict of New York, the life office of United States judge for the north- 
ern district of New York, and later the circuit judgeship for the south- 
ern district, were vainly pressed upon him by the president and Senator 
Conkling. 

Mr. Hotchkiss' devotion to his family was remarkable, and their 
lightest wish was law with him. His wife, with whom he married 
March 24, 1842, was Bessie R., daughter of Dr. Colby Knapp, of Guil- 
ford, N. Y. Their children were Bessie Virginia, wife of Charles M. 
Dickinson; Cyrus F. , one of the most gentlemanly and popular young 
men of this city previous to his untimely death in March, 1873; and 
Lucy and Henry Hotchkiss, both of whom died young. Mrs. Hotch- 
kiss died March 6, 1852. Mr. Hotchkiss died July 5, 1878 

William H. Hecox came to the city bar in 1870. He was admitted 
to practice in 1838 and for more than half a century afterward he was 
in professional life, although ill health frequently compelled him to 
change his residence from the east to the west. In 1849 he undertook 
a journey to the gold fields of California, but not being able to get up 
the Pacific coast from the isthmus he returned home. Twice during 
his professional career Mr. Hecox lived in St. Paul, Minn., where he 
practiced law. He also practiced in Buffalo and New York city before 
coming to Binghamton in 1870. Mr. Hecox is remembered as a lawyer 




L. SEYMOUR. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 345 

of ability, and a citizen of unquestioned integrity. He was an honor 
to the bar and the city. For several years he held the office of justice 
of the peace. Mr. Hecox's wife was Augusta Foster, who survives him. 
Of their three children only one — William H. Hecox, of this city — is 
now living. 

Lewis Seymour was a native of Broome county, being born in Vestal, 
October 25, 1823. He was a son of Lewis Seymour, the latter.a former 
merchant and successful business man of Binghamton, but who was 
drowned in the Chenango river while attempting to save the life of a 
young man. Samuel Seymour, grandfather of Lewis Seymour, the 
lawyer, was an early settler in Union, and was a man of much note in 
his day. In 1831 Lewis Seymour, sr., removed with his family to the 
village from Vestal, hence the son had the advantages of the village 
schools in laying the foundation for his later education. He prepared 
for college at Cazenovia, and at the age of fourteen years entered Wes- 
leyan university, at Middletown, Conn. While pursuing his studies 
his father's fortune was seriously impaired by unfortunate investments, 
and although he still had sufficient means to enable his son to complete 
his college course, the young man, against his parent's expressed hope, 
left his studies and returned home. He then taught school a short 
time, after which he began a course of law study in the office of Judge 
Loomis, and completed his legal education with John Clapp. 

In 1846 Mr. Seymour was admitted to practice, and in July of the 
same year he formed a law partnership with Giles W. Hotchkiss. 
Seven years later Ransom Balcom came into the firm, continued three 
years and then went on the Supreme court bench. Then the old firm 
name of Hotchkiss & Seymour was restored, and was continued until 
1862, when Mr. Hotchkiss was elected to congress. The name how- 
ever, was seen on the court calendars for several years after the disso- 
lution of the firm. "This firm achieved a remarkable reputation," says 
Mr. Seymour's biographer, " and so great was the public confidence in 
their skill and integrity that they not unfrequently appeared as at- 
torneys in two-thirds of the cases on the Supreme court calendar. This 
large practice was the result of marked ability and untiring labor in the 
interests of clients. Mr. Seymour was a deep thinker. His integrity 
and the consciousness of his duty to clients would not permit him to be 
satisfied with a superficial examination of a case; his great mind 
threaded its tortuous intricacies until he had solved it into the sem- 
blance of a simple problem, and laid it before the court and the jury 
in its most comprehensive light." 



346 BINGHAMTON ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Lewis Seymour was not an ordinary man. It was his good fortune 
to be so gifted by nature, his mind so improved by culture and constant 
study, his judgment so matured by observation and reflection and ex- 
perience, that he was able to do much good in his professional life, and 
thus set an example worthy of imitation by younger members of the 
bar. His well balanced mind never yielded to the novel vagaries of 
the day, either in practice or theory, but led him safely and success- 
fully through all the transactions of life. But as a professional man 
his worth was most evident, and in that character, we, as members of 
the same fraternity, can fully appreciate him. No other figure in court 
was similar to his, and once seen the man could never be mistaken for 
another. He was of medium stature, not of strong physical build, yet 
his deep, piercing black eyes marked him as a thinker and logician. As 
an advocate before the jury his address was not particularly pleasing, 
but in the argument of questions of law before the court his legal 
ability was plainly apparent. As a general trial lawyer he had no 
superior at the Broome county bar. Along in the late 'sixties Dr. J. 
Edward Turner stood charged with arson, and was defended by Roscoe 
Conkling, one of the ablest lawyers in the state. The district attorney 
was assisted by Mr. Seymour, who in fact tried the case for the people. 
After the trial was finished a prominent member of the city bar asked 
Mr. Conkling as to his impressions of Mr. Seymour, to which the reply 
came promptly: "I think I never met a more shrewd and careful trial 
lawyer in all my experience." As in the case referred to so it was 
throughout the period of his practice ; he was a careful, thorough lawyer, 
and never worked more earnestly than on his last case in court. He 
was not well, and had worked hard all through the circuit, yet the case 
in hand had often been put over, and his clients were anxious that it 
be tried. It was tried; the verdict was for the plaintiff, whom Mr. 
Seymour represented, but it was his last professional work. He was 
broken down, and neither rest nor quiet nor the loving care of wife 
and children could restore him to health. Death came January 4, 1873, 
and thereby the Broome county bar lost one of its best and most worthy 
members. 

Orlow W. Chapman was a native of Ellington, Conn. He was born 
January 7, 1832, and was descended from old New England colonial 
stock. Several of his ancestors were patriots of the Revolution, while 
still others were among the pioneers of New England and contended 
against the Indians during the period of the early wars. Orlow was 




ORLOW W. CHAPMAN. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 347 

given the advantages of a good common school education, followed by 
a college preparatory course at the Ellington and Monson academies. 
In 1850 he entered Union college, and was graduated in 1854. 
While in college Mr. Chapman in part maintained himself by teaching 
school, and after graduation he was for a year teacher of languages in 
Fergusonville academy. In the fall of 1855, having determined to en- 
ter the legal profession, he began reading law with Parker & Gleason, 
attorneys at Delhi, and at a general term of the Supreme court held in 
Owego in 1857, he was admitted to practice. 

In 1858 Mr. Chapman came to live in Binghamton, and in the course 
of a few years he attained a position of influence and popularity in the 
profession. He proved to be an excellent trial lawyer and an advocate 
of unusual ability and force. His personality, too, was in his favor, as 
also were his splendid physique and cheerful countenance. In 1868f 
the law firm of Chapman & Martin was formed, and was one of the 
strongest legal partnerships in this part of the state. ' Judge Martin 
was the careful, thoughtful member of the firm and Mr. Chapman, 
while possessing in a less degree the characteristics of his associate, 
was the orator and advocate before the court and the jury. Their com- 
bined strength made them formidable legal opponents. 

Mr. Chapman was fortunately constituted by nature. He instinct- 
ively shrank from the bitter legal contest, yet when earnestly engaged 
in the trial of a case his alert, incisive intelligence, his blithe and some- 
what aggressive independence, certainly made him appear to splendid 
advantage and augured well in his favor. His true capacity as a law- 
yer was fully displayed in the trial of the famous case entitled Strong 
vs. Dvvight, in which Mr. Hotchkiss appeared for the plaintiff, with 
Chapman & Martin, attorneys, and Francis Kernan, of counsel, for the 
the defense. The evidence was nearly closed and Senator Kernan was 
to present the case to the jury for the defendant on the opening of 
court in the afternoon. However, during the noon recess, a message 
announced the death of his daughter, upon which the distinguished 
lawyer was compelled to withdraw from the case and hasten home. 
Then the burden of the argument fell upon Mr. Chapman, but not- 
withstanding the embarrassment of his position, with hardly a note or 
memorandum as his guide, he made one of the most masterly addresses 
every heard by any jury in Broome county. Every latent power seemed 
to come to his aid on this occasion and carried him safely through the 
case, with a final verdict in his favor. 



348 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

In character Mr. Chapman was a man without reproach, and neither 
in public or private life was there ever an imputation or wrong to sully 
his fair name. A fine scholar, a profound lawyer, a blameless citizen, 
an upright public servant, a faithful friend, a trusted counsellor, his 
life was certainly complete. 

Mr. Chapman was a tried and true Republican and a power in the 
councils of his party in the state. On September 4, 1862, he was ap- 
pointed district attorney to succeed George A. Northrup, and served in 
that capacity until January, 1863, when he resigned. In the fall of 
1867 he was elected to the state senate, and was re-elected in 1869. In 
1872 he was appointed a member of the constitutional commission, but 
resigned the position to accept that of superintendent of the insurance 
department, to which he was appointed November 22, 1872. This 
•office he resigned January 31, 1876. On May 29, 1889, he was ap- 
pointed by President Harrison as solicitor-general of the United States. 
While residing temporarily in Washington, in connection with his offi- 
cial duties, Mr. Chapman was suddenly stricken ill, and on January 19, 
1890, he died. 

Edmund O'Connor, while not a member of the old bar of the county, 
was nevertheless one of the honorable representatives of his profession 
and is worthy to be mentioned in these reminiscences as a leading law- 
yer in the city, the county and the state. Best of a.11, Mr. O'Connor 
was a purely self-made man, having been thrown entirely on his own 
resources at the early age of fourteen years. His life was a success, for 
he ranked as one of our foremost lawyers, and arose to that station from 
an humble beginning. As a trial lawyer he had few equals in the county, 
and as an advocate before the court and the jury his character and 
especial legal strength were fully displayed. His, in many respects, 
was a remarkable personality ; his vitality was so rich and sparkling, 
his abilities were so varied, and his humor so affluent that he was a 
most interesting companion and associate. He loved his family first, 
then his profession, then politics; and it was his conversion to Repub- 
licanism in the presidential campaign of 1872 that led to his ultimate 
success in political as well as professional life. Under Republican in- 
fluences he was brought into new associations and companionships, and 
he soon became a factor in the ranks of the party in the county, followed 
by still higher honors in the legislative halls of the state. In 1880 he 
was appointed one of the trustees of the Binghamton asylum for chronic 
insane — the Binghamton State hospital — and served in that capacity 




HDMU^U O'CONNOR. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 349 

until he was chosen attorney for the institution. In 1889 he was elected 
to the state senate, and was re-elected in 1891 and 1893. During his 
second term he became a leader in the senate and retained that prom- 
inence to the end of his service. 

Edmund O'Connor was born near Mallow, County Cork, Ireland, in 
November, 1848, and when three years old came with his parents to 
the United States, the family locating at Little Falls, N. Y. Here 
Edmund attended the village school, and also a parochial school, but 
the unfortunate death of his father in 1862 compelled the young man to 
leave school for a time and find employment for his own and his moth- 
er's support. He worked in the railroad shops, and saved enough of 
his earnings to eventually finish his early education in the academies at 
Little Falls and Delhi, from the latter of which he was graduated. He 
then determined to study law, and accordingly became a student in 
Judge Smith's oiifice at Little Falls; at a general term of the Supreme 
court held at Oswego in October, 1870, he was admitted to practice. 
He at once removed to Binghamton and formed a law partnership with 
William J. Ludden. This relation continued about four years, after 
which, until 1888, Mr. O'Connor practiced without a partner. His 
subsequent career has been told in preceding paragraphs. It is well 
known that he was one of the brightest, keenest trial lawyers in the 
county, and one for whom his professional associates had the greatest 
esteem. His practice was large and varied, and secured for him a sub- 
stantial fortune. Indeed, it may be truthfully said that Edmund 
O'Connor was an honor to his profession, and his untimely death was 
a serious loss both to the bar and the city. He died July 15, 1898. 

In addition to those whose names and lives have been specially men- 
tioned as prominent members of the old bar still others maybe recalled 
in this connection. Joseph S. Bosworth was at the bar in the village 
between 1835 and 1840 and was a lawyer of ability. He afterward re- 
moved to New York, where he was elected to the bench of the Supreme 
court in 1851 ; he was in the assembly in the same year, and was one of 
the metropolitan district police commissioners in 1864. 

Hamilton Collier was a younger brother of John A. Collier, with 
whom he read law, and was admitted to practice in 1809. He lived for 
several years in Owego, but in 1822 came to Binghamton. In 1837 
he was appointed district attorney, and was surrogate from 1841 to 1843. 
He died in Ohio in 1865. 

David Woodcock came to the county bar in 1834, but previous to that 



350 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

time had lived in Seneca and Tompkins counties, where he attained 
considerable prominence; he was member of assembly, district attor- 
ney, and was also elected to congress. He is recalled as an able lawyer, 
a fluent speaker and a gentleman. 

Mayhew McDonald came to the village in 1838 and was admitted to 
practice the next year. 

Joseph K. Rugg was once a prominent lawyer in the village. He was 
a graduate of Mr. Bosworth's office; surrogate from 1836 to 1840, 
though not admitted to practice until 1838. He was one of the first 
chief engineers of the village fire department. He afterward removed 
to Michigan, where he died. 

Gabriel Bouck, eldest son of Ex-Gov. William C. Bouck, of Scho- 
harie, read law with Dickinson & Wright and was admitted to the bar 
previous to the war of 1861-65. Mr. Bouck afterward went to Wiscon- 
sin, settling at Oshkosh, where he became a noted lawyer and the leadei 
of the Oshkosh bar. He was colonel of a famous Wisconsin regiment 
during the war, and on returning from the service he was elected to 
congress; and is known throughout the land as " the Sage of Oshkosh." 

Ausburn Birdsall, who now lives in New York city, was a former 
member of the bar in this city. He came from Chenango county in 
1832 and was admitted to practice in 1836. He read law with Mr. 
Dickinson and was afterward his partner about six years. He was dis- 
trict attorney from 1842 to 1847, and member of congress from 1847 to 
1849. For many years Mr. Birdsall was closely identified with profes- 
sional and business life in our village and subsequent city, and was 
numbered among our worthy citizens. About ten years ago he removed 
to New York. Mr. Birdsall is a pleasant, scholarly writer, and his con- 
tributions to the columns of the city press on subjects relating to the 
early history of Binghamton have been read with much interest. 

Matthew P. Mayham, a gifted son of old Schoharie county, the son 
of Judge and Congressman S. L. Mayham, read law in the office of 
Barna R. Johnson, and was admitted to the bar in 1874. He died in 
1876. 

Thus might our reminiscences be continued indefinitely but the scope 
and policy of our chapter forbid. The successors to the old bar were 
equally worthy and honorable, but many of those who entered the pro- 
fession subsequent to 1860 are still living and in practice, and it is con- 
trary to the design of our work to review at great length the lives of 
the younger members of the profession, except as they may have in 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 351 

some manner been specially identified with the civil or political history 
of the city, or have attained positions of prominence in the ranks as 
lawyers. 

ROSTER OF THE BAR. 

The purpose of the appended list is to record and preserve as many 
as possible of the names of members of the village and city bar, past 
and present. It is not claimed that the record is absolutely complete, 
or that the year is in all cases correctly stated, but in the absence of 
reliable records it is the best that can be done. To accomplish what is 
done the writer has availed himself of county and court records, news- 
paper files, public and legal documents, old court calendars, and in 
fact all known sources of information, and has compiled therefrom a 
chronological register of the bar. Previous to 186(5 the court calendars 
did not furnish the names of lawyers as now printed, but svibsequent to 
that time the list has been regularly published in each year. A law 
student's greatest aim in life is to secure admission to the bar, and that 
accomplished he is not slow to suggest to the county clerk the propriety 
of inserting his name in the published list of attorneys. Therefore the 
appended list, subsequent to 1866, may be regarded as substantially 
correct. When we consider that no special record of the bar has ever 
been kept, and that our information has been drawn from scattered and 
at times doubtful sources, the reader will appreciate something of the 
difficulty attending the preparation of the roll. However, the roster 
shows for itself, and also shows with reasonable accuracy the names of 
lawyers with the year in which each was admitted to the bar or began 
practice in the county. That the record may be still more complete, 
the personnel of the bar is given for the years 1855, 1859-60 and 1866. 
Extant records covering the period from 1850 to 1865 are decidedly 
imperfect. 

1791'— Mason Whiting. 

1801 — Balthazar De Hart, Daniel Le Roy, William Low. 

1802 — Daniel Rogers, William Stuart. 

1803 — Sherman Page. 

1806 — William Seymour. 

1807— Robert Monell. 

1809 — John A. Collier, Hamilton Collier. 

1 Year of admission to practice. 



352 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

1810— Horace Williston. 

1811— George Park. 

1813— Thomas G. Waterman. 

1819— Peter Robinson. 

1830— Joseph S. Bosworth. 

1831 — Daniel S. Dickinson. 

1834— David Woodcock. 

1836 — Ausburn Birdsall, Joseph Boughton, Laurel O. Belden. 

1837— Giles W. Hotchkiss. 

1838 — John R. Dickinson, Joseph K. Rugg, Benjamin N. Loomis. 

1839— Mayhew McDonald. 

1840 — Horace S. Griswold, Calvin Mather. 

1841— Solomon Judd, Edward C. Kattell.' 

1843 — William H. Hecox, Ransom Balcom, George Bartlett. 

1846 — George A. Northrup, William M. Patterson, Joseph Shaw, 
Lewis Seymour, Charles H. Hunt. 

1847 — Phineas B. Tompkins, Hallam Eldredge, Philo B. Stillson, 
Robert Bloomer, Thomas W. Waterman, Hiram R. Bates, Alexander 
McDowell. 

1850 — Perry P. Rogers. 

1851— Charles S. Hall. 

1853 — Franklin A. Durkee, George Beebe. 

1854— Dan S. Richards. 

1855 — Alexander E. Andrews, Barna R. Johnson. The personnel of 
the bar in this year was about as follows: Daniel S. Dickinson (Dickin- 
son & Wright), Edward Tompkins, Horace S. Griswold, Charles S. 
Hall, George A. Northrup, George Bartlett, Franklin A. Durkee, Ben- 
jamin N. Loomis, Corydon Tyler, Phineas B. Tompkins, Jacob Morris, 
Solomon Judd, Giles W. Hotchkiss (Hotchkiss, Seymour & Balcom), 
Lewis Seymour, Frederick Tallent, Ransom Balcom, Philo B. Stillson, 
John R. Dickinson, Dan S. Richards, A. G. Stillson, who was a younger 
brother of P. B. Stillson, and was accidentally shot while hunting. 

185G — Celora E. Martin, Luther Badger, Gabriel Bouck (admitted 
about this time). 

1857 — Orlow W. Chapman, Edward M. Fitzgerald, Reuben H. 

Root. 

1858 — Gilman L. Sessions, Benajah S. Curran, Alexander Gumming, 
Henry Welsh. 

1 Judge Kattell was admitted about this time; the exact year is not known. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 353 

1859 — According to the village directory this year the lawyers in 
practice were, A. E. Andrews, Luther Badger, Ransom Balcom, Will- 
iam Barrett, Ansburn Birdsall, O. W. Chapman, John Clapp, John A. 
Collier, B. S. Curran, Daniel S. Dickinson, John R. Dickinson, Franklin 
A. Durkee, Horace S. Griswold, Charles S. Hall, Giles W. Hotchkiss, 
Merrick C. Hough, Solomon Judd, Edward C. Kattell, James La- 
Grange, B. N. Loomis, George A. Northrup, Dan S. Richards, G. L. 
Sessions, Lewis Seymour, Benjamin Sherwood, George J. Spencer, 
Philo B. Stillson, Edward Tompkins, Corydon Tyler, William M. 
Waterman, Thomas D. Wright, Aaron W. Young. 

1860 — J. H. Bronson, William L. Headley, James C. Edson, Benja- 
min H. White, Clifford S. Arms, George Becker, Peter W. Hopkins. 

1861— Samuel L. Comstock, John T. Mygatt, Edwin C. Moody, J. 
Ancrum Winslow. 

1862 — Frank Loomis, Edward K. Clark, Henry T. Seeley, Stephen 
A. Walker. 

1863— George Whitney. 

1865— Wallace P. Hunt, Daniel Hanna, Albert D. Armstrong, 
Charles M. Dickinson, Joseph M. Johnson. 

1866— Clark L. Hood, Benjamin F. Smith, Christopher Callan. The 
court calendar this year shows the members of the bar as follows: A. 
E. Andrews, A. D. Armstrong, Ausburn Birdsall, George Bartlett, 
William Barrett, O. W. Chapman, B. S. Curran, E. K. Clark, C. M. 
Dickinson, F. A. Durkee, H. S. Griswold, G. W. Hotchkiss, W. P. 
Hunt, P. W. Hopkins, C. S. Hall, C. L. Hood, S. Judd, B. R. John- 
son, J. M. Johnson, B. N. Loomis, James La Grange, Dan S. Richards, 
Lewis vSeymour, G. L. Sessions, Corydon Tyler, T, W. Waterman, 
George Whitney, Thomas D. Wright. 

1867— Stephen C. Millard, Theodore F. McDonald, Isaac P. Pugsley, 
Charles H. Wickham. 

1868— William L. Griswold. W. H. Johnston, William H. Stoddard, 
William H. Scoville, Neri Pine, Andrew A. White, George Becker. 

1870— A. Harry Bissell, W. Dalton Cornish, Newell D. Whitney, 
Wm. J. Ludden, Edmund O'Connor. 

1871— George W. Penrie, David E. Cronin, Jerome De Witt, E. S. 
Hopkins, John N. Pomeroy, A. De Witt Wales, William A. McKinney. 

1872— Frank G. Bishop,' Charles W. Loomis. 

' Mr. Bishop was a native of this county. He afterward lived in the south, and returned to 
this city in 1872. 
23 



354 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

1873— Edgar A. Monfort, Lewis C. Aldrich. 

1874— William M. Crosby, jr. 

1875 — David H. Carver, George F. Lyon, Frank Stewart, William 
Trebby, jr. 

1876— M. Fillmore Brown, Willis D. Edmister, Walter M. Hand, 
Charles A. Hull, Charles F. Tapper, Charles E. Welch, Marvin Can- 
niff, John P. Wheeler, Taylor L. Arms. 

1877— Clement L. Boon, John F. Gulliver, M. Julius Keeler, George 
H. Williams, Asahel W. Gumming. 

1878— James L. Greene, Scott G. Sayer, Francis W. Downs, Robert 
E. Prince, Silas W. Crandall. 

1879— Albert Hotchkiss, L. H. Jackson. 

1880 — George B, Curtiss, Augustus Babcock, Roswell Bump, Har- 
mon J. Kneeland, George Hull, David Murray, Charles M. Stone, 
Gilbert C. Walker,' J. Stuart Wells, jr., Edward Ronneberger, Win- 
throp D. Painter. 

1881 — Charles F. Abeel, Thomas B. Merchant, Henry L. Beach. 

1882 — Fremont F. Williams, David J . Barry, John M. Cahill, Bruce 
Winner, Thomas A. Harroun, Thomas H . Larkin. 

1883— Israel T. Deyo, A. Perry Fish, F. Newell Gilbert, Robert R. 
Griswold, Almiron M. Sperry. 

1884— Eldon R. Carver, Arthur W. T. Back, Allan M. North, James 
P. Callan, Charles H. Hitchcock, Frederic W. Jenkins. 

1885— S. Mack Smith, Robert A. Stone, H. C. Sells. 

1887— Robert B. Richards. 

1888 — Harry F. Lyon, Marshal V. Andrews, Elmer E. Maddox, 
Henry C. Olmsted, James H. Roberts, Charles F. O'Brien, David D. 
Porter, Watson E. Roberts. 

1889 — John J. Irving, Leslie M. Merchant, John A. Brown, Lewis 
Seymour, William F. Van Cleve, Harry C. Perkins, Cortland A. 
Wilber. 

1890— Le Roy Bennett, Harlow E. Bundy, John F. Charlton, Will- 
iam W. Newell, Hiram M. Rogers, Robert S. Parsons, Theodore R. 
Tuthill. 

1891 — R. F. Bieber, James H. Greeley, Harvey D. Hinman, Elmore 
G. Page, Albert S. Barnes. 

1892 — James T. Rogers, Rollin W. Meeker. 

1 Ex-Gov. Walker was admitted to practice about 1856 and afterward went South, returning 
in 1880, 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 355 

1893— Franks. Anderson, Roger P. Clark, Frank S. Harper, Dennis 
E. Keefe, Charles O. Morgan, Frank M. Hays. 

1894— Harry C. Walker, Maurice E. Page, Edward L. Randall, 
Frank H. Short, W. D. Vanderworken . 

1895— Walter S. Flint, Peleg H. Reed, Frederick W. Welsh, Harry 
A. Yetter. 

1896— Burr W. Mosher, Thomas W. Mangan, Archibald Howard. 

1897— Thomas J. Keenan, Royal A. Gunnison, Frank H. Bassett, 
Urbane C. Lyons, Frank J. Mangan. 

1898— Benajah S. Curran, jr., John M. Davidge, Ralph D. Smith, 
George A. Smith, Albert R. Humphrey, William H. Riley, Harry J. 
Hennessey, Charles Avery Hickey. 

1899— Thomas B. Kattell. 

SKETCHES OF MEMBERS OF THE PRESENT BAR. 
Charles Samuel Hall was born in Middletown, Conn., May 18, 1827, 
and was the eldest of five children of Samuel Holden Parsons and Eme- 
line (Bulkeley) Hall. The family came to Binghamton, May 10, 1837. 
Charles was educated in the Binghamton academy, where he prepared 
for college. He entered Yale in 1844 and was graduated in 1848, with 
the degree of A. B. He was graduated from Yale Law school in 1850, 
with the degree of LL. B., and in the next year received the Yale de- 
gree of A. M. Mr. Hall was admitted to practice law in this state at a 
general term of the Supreme court held in Norwich in January, 1851. 
He was also admitted to practice in the United States District court in 
May, 1879, and the United States Circuit court in August of the same 
year. Mr. Hall has practiced law continuously in Binghamton for a 
period of almost fifty years, and in connection with his professional 
work has taken an active part in the affairs both of the village and'city. 
As a lawyer and a senior member of the bar he is mentioned by his 
professional associates as a safe counsellor, and one with whom princi- 
ples, rather than expedients, have always prevailed. He has not sought 
a standing of prominence as a trial lawyer in contested cases, nor has he 
ever aspired to fame as an advocate at the bar of the courts, neverthe- 
less, for many years Mr. Hall has been known as one of the most 
scholarly orators of the county bar. His interest in public and polit- 
ical affairs dates from his admission to practice, and he has always been 
loyal to the city. He was village attorney in 1856 and 1857, and in the 
year last mentioned was one of the committee appointed to prepare a 



356 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

city charter; but the scheme itself failed through a division of senti- 
ment among the people. . Had the counsel of Mr. Hall and his associ- 
ates prevailed with the people the village would have become a city in 
1857 instead of ten years later; and when that end was secured in 18G7, 
the charter was prepared wholly under his personal direction. For four 
years Mr. Hall was a member of the board of education, and as such 
revised the school laws of the city. On December 13, 1856, he was ap- 
pointed commissioner of the Circuit court of the United States, and has 
held that office to the present time, although in July, 1898, the name 
was changed to " U. S. Commissioner." In politics Mr. Hall is a firm 
Democrat, though in no sense an aggressive partisan. He was the can- 
didate of the sound money Democracy — the National Democratic party 
— for congress in this district in 1896. On January 3, 1855, Charles S. 
Hall was married to Mary Rebecca Harris, by whom he had four chil- 
dren, Louise, Charles H., Arnold H. and Samuel Holden. His second 
wife, with whom he married October 29, 1885, was Annie Hastings 
Knowlton, by whom he had one son, Lyman Knowlton Hall. 

Dan S. Richards was born in the town of Union, September 24, 1830, 
the son of " Squire " Jesse and Mary (Forker) Richards, being the sec- 
ond of their nine children. His grandfather was Henry Richards, who 
came from Pennsylvania and made a permanent settlement on the Bos- 
ton purchase in 1791, and therefore was one of the pioneers of this part 
of the Susquehanna valley. The early life of Dan S. Richards was 
spent in Union, on his father's farm and he was educated in the old 
Binghamton academy. He read law with Horace S. Griswold, and in 
January, 1854, was admitted to practice. He at once began professional 
work in the then village of Binghamton and was soon recognized as one of 
the keenest young lawyers of the county bar. This standing he afterward 
maintained throughout the period of his active professional career. For 
more than twenty years he has been resident attorney for the D. , L. & W. 
R. R. company. Although now virtually retired from active work, Mr. 
Richards visits the office almost daily, where, as one of the oldest mem- 
bers of the city bar, his counsel and advice are frequently sought by 
younger members of the profession, and also by many of his old clients. 
Mr. Richards' first partner was Corydon Tyler, followed by William 
Barrett, George A. Northrup, Benajah S. Curran, Oilman L. Sessions 
and Robert B. Richards, in the order mentioned. Mr. Richards has 
also been an active factor in local Democratic politics and served as 
village attorney in 1853, alderman in 1869-70 and school commissioner 




DAN S. RICHARDS. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 357 

in 1879-81. In October, 1857, Mr. Richards married Mary C. Mer- 
chant, who died childless. His second wife was Ellen H. Bostwick, 
whom he married in June, 1862. Three sons, Robert B., Ferdinand B. 
and Dan S. Richards, jr., are the children of this marriage. 

Alexander E. Andrews was born in New Berlin, Chenango county, 
April 11, 1834, and was the son of Rev. Dr. Edward Andrews, one of 
the early rectors of Christ church. Alexander was graduated at Hobart 
college in 1853, after which he read law with Daniel S. Dickinson, and 
was admitted to practice in 1855. Nearly all of Mr. Andrews' profes- 
sional life, except about three years, has been spent in Binghamton, 
and he has been identified with the best interests both of the village 
and city. He was our first city recorder, serving from 1867 to 1873, 
and was a still earlier justice of the peace. In 1878, and again in 1880, 
Mr. Andrews was elected to the assembly. 

Benajah S. Curran is a native of Kirkwood and was born Septem- 
ber 30,' 1837. He was the son of Isaac and Mary (Enders) Curran, his 
father having come from Albany county at a very early day and made 
a settlement in the town when neighbors indeed were few. Isaac the 
pioneer died about 1845, after which his family removed to the village 
of Binghamton. Benajah was educated in our district schools, and read 
law in John R. Dickinson's office. On October 11, 1858, he was ad- 
mitted to practice. From that to the present time Mr. Curran has 
been in active practice in the village and subsequent city, and no law- 
yer at the local bar has been more industrious and persevering in his 
efforts than he, and few indeed of his many associates have accomplish- 
ed the substantial results which have rewarded his efforts. During the 
long period of his practice Mr. Curran has had as partners Major Philo 
B. Stillson, Dan S. Richards and B. S. Curran, jr. Mr. Curran is a 
firm and uncompromising Democrat, strong m his party and strong in 
the city generally. He was attorney for the excise board three years, 
alderman two years, school commissioner two years, and mayor of the 
city two years, as the municipal civil list in another chapter will show. 
On October 2, 1806, Benajah S. Curran married Emma, daughter of 
Lowell Gilmore. Four sons and one daughter were born of this 
marriage. 

Oilman L. Sessions was born in Woodstock, Conn., February 14, 
1833, and was the son of Lyman Sessions, a merchant and man of char- 
acter and influence. Oilman was educated in several of the best acad- 
emies of Massachusetts, and also in Dartmouth college, where he was 



358 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

graduated in 1855. The next year he came to Binghamton and read 
law with Daniel S. Dickinson, and w^as admitted to the bar in 1858. 
From that to the present time he has been a member of the village and 
city bar, in active practice until a year or two ago. He was law partner 
with George Bartlett at the time of the death of the latter, after which, 
in the fall of 1870 the law firm of Richards & Sessions was formed; and 
was continued until the fall of 1877. In the city Mr. Sessions has long 
been known as one of the scholars of the bar. In politics he has 
always maintained an independent attitude, and has not sought public 
office of any kind. Indeed, he is of a retired disposition naturally, 
though at perfect ease in any circle. In addition to his legal business, 
which was always large, he has been selected to manage several trusts 
and estates, the duties of which position have demanded a considerable 
portion of his time. Mr. Sessions' wife is Eliza, daughter of the late 
Robert S. Bartlett, and granddaughter of Captain Isaac Bartlett, the 
latter the pioneer of the Bartlett families in Tioga and Broome counties. 
Alexander Gumming has been a member of the Broome county bar 
for a period of more than forty years. He was born in Stamford, Del- 
aware county, November 12, 1832, and was the son of John and Fanny 
(Bassett) Gumming. He lived on his father's farm until he attained 
his sixteenth year, and acquired a rudimentary education in the dis- 
trict schools. When Alexander was sixteen years old his mother died, 
the home was broken up and he started out to make his own way in 
life, working at whatever he could find to do, and saving his earnings, 
for he was determined to acquire more than a district school education. 
He was industrious and of frugal habits, which qualities enabled him 
to attend the academies at Franklin and Hobart . He was a close and 
careful student, having a natural aptitude for mathematics and civil 
engineering, and an especial love for ancient as well as modern history; 
and to-day,as a matter of fact, there are few professional men in Broome 
county who possess a more thorough understanding of European and 
American history, or are more familiar with the writings of old authors 
than Mr. Gumming. During the six years which were devoted to his 
own education, Mr. Gumming taught winter terms of school in Otsego 
and Delaware counties, and also devoted one year of the time to read- 
ing law under the direction of J. R. AUaben of Delhi. Having chosen 
the legal profession, he applied himself closely to the study of law, and 
in 1858, at a General Term of the Supreme court held in Binghamton, he 
was admitted to practice. At that time he had a large justice court 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 359 

practice in Delaware county, which had been built up during his ser- 
vice as law sfudent, but after his admission he at once settled in Deposit 
for general practice, remaining in that village until 1878. He then 
came to Binghamton and became a member of the city bar. For a 
period of more than twenty years Mr. Gumming has occupied a promi- 
nent position among the attorneys of the county seat and has often 
been mentioned as the leader of the county bar. It is not the purpose 
of this work to deal in compliments, yet both candor and fairness de- 
mand the assertion of a patent fact: Mr. Gumming is recognized as one 
of the strongest lawyers in this locality. In 1881 Asahel Gumming be- 
came partner with his brother, under the firm style of A. & A. W. 
Gumming. In his political preference Mr. Gumming is a conservative 
Republican, yet possesses strong convictions on all the public questions 
of the day; and he is perfectly frank in the expression of his opinions. 
He is an expansionist, and thoroughly American in all his political 
utterances. On September 17, 1860, Alexander Gumming married 
Hannah Heuguiner of Deposit, of which marriage three children have 
been born. 

Edwin G. Moody was born in the town of Union, November 4, 1838. 
He was the son of Gharles and Amanda (Keeler) Moody, and a grand- 
son of David Moody, the latter a pioneer on " Bean Hill." Edwin was 
educated in Union academy and the law department of the University 
of New York, having graduated at the latter in May, 1861. In June 
following he was admitted to practice, and soon afterward opened an 
office in Union village, dividing his time, however, between the office 
and teaching school for a period of two or three years. He lived in 
Union until 1876 and then removed to this city. He was supervisor of 
Union nine years, and several years chairman of the board. In 1876 
he was elected to the assembly. 

Edward K. Glark was born in Smethport, McKean county, Penna , 
January 1, 1841, and was the son of Joseph F. and Laura L. (Phillips) 
Glark. He was educated at Smethport and Randolph academies (the 
latter now known as Ghamberlain Institute), after which he taught 
school and at the same time read law under the direction of Warren 
Gowles and Byron Hamlin, both of Smethport. In 1861 he continued 
his legal studies under Henry A. Glarke, of Bainbridge, N. Y., and still 
later with Hotchkiss & Seymour, of Binghamton. He was admitted to 
practice November 9, 1862. Mr. Glark has since been in active prac- 
tice as a member of the city bar, and is known as one of the most care- 



360 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

f ul and thorough of our lawyers. During this time, however, he was 
engaged about two years on the editorial staff of the Daily Republican, 
and also the Daily Times. In 1873 he published a revised edition of 
"Wilkinson's Annals of Binghamton," with an elaborate appendix. 
Mr. Clark's law partners, in succession, have been Ransom Rowland, 
William A. McKinney, M. Fillmore Brown, Augustus Babcock (Clark, 
Brown & Babcock), and Roger P. Clark. On June 12, 1867, Mr. 
Clark married Martha J., daughter of Charles Seymour, and a decend- 
ant of one of the most respected pioneer families of Vestal. Ten 
children, eight of whom are still living, were born to their marriage. 

William J. Welsh has been a member of the Broome county bar nearly 
fifteen years. The profession will remember that in 1886 Henry and 
W. J. Welsh came to the city from Hancock, Delaware count}^ and be- 
gan practicing law under the firm just mentioned. At that time the 
elder Welsh was a man of advanced years, yet vigorous in mind and 
body. He is recalled as a good lawyer and an upright citizen. He 
died in 1890. William J. Welsh is a native of Montgomery, Orange 
county, and was born August 31, 1842. He was given the benefit of a 
good early education in his native village, also the old Susquehanna 
seminary at Binghamton, and a private academic school at Hancock. 
There, like many of our professional men in their younger days, he 
taught school about three years, after which he began reading law in 
his father's office. In 1865 he was admitted to practice. About a year 
later Mr. Welsh became partner with his father, and so continued until 
the death of the latter in 1890. In July, 1895, the law firm of W. J. 
& F. W. Welsh was formed. 

Mr. Welsh is one of the most active lawyers of the city bar, indus- 
trious, careful, thoroughly conscientious and straightforward in what- 
ever he undertakes. He was the legal organizer of the Binghamton 
Trust company, and has been its attorney since the institution began 
business. In politics he is a Republican and a firm believer in the 
principles of the party. In 1876 he was elected to the assembly from 
the first Delaware county district, but in this city his interest in politics 
has been only that which is shown by every loyal citizen. He is inter- 
ested in the city, its welfare and progress; is a member of Otseningo 
Lodge, F. and A. M , and of the I. O. R. M. ; also a member of the 
Y. M. C. A., and the Tabernacle church; and one of the board of man- 
agers of the Susquehanna Valley Home. 

On November 25, 1867, Mr. Welsh married Emily Doyle; two chil- 
dren, Frederick W., and Mary E. Welsh, were born of this marriage. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 361 

Joseph M. Johnson is a native of Hoosic Falls, N. Y., born April 3, 
1840. His parents were Rev. Leonard and Harriet N. (Hatch) John- 
son, and of their nine children he was the sixth. His father was a 
Presbyterian clergyman, and lived in Binghamton from 184G to 1851, 
when he removed to Triangle, at which place he died in 1858. His 
mother was a daughter of Judge Hatch, of the Vermont Supreme court. 
Joseph was educated in the famous old Binghamton and Windsor 
academies, after which, in September, 1858, he entered the county 
clerk's office as copyist under William C. Doane, county clerk, where 
he remained until January 1, 1859, when he found employment in 
Pratt's book store, in Binghamton, remaining there about two years. 
He then read law one year in Judge Griswold's office, and in 1862 was 
appointed deputy county clerk under Charles O. Root. He was thus 
engaged four years, devoting his leisure hours, however, to the study 
of law under Jvidge Griswold's instruction. In November, 1865, he 
was admitted to practice law. On May 15, 1874, he was admitted to 
practice in the United States court. He practiced in partnership with 
George Whitney about two years, and in the fall of 1867 was himself 
elected county clerk, serving two terms of three years each. He then 
resumed practice alone, but in 1875 became partner with David H. 
Carver, under the name of Johnson & Carver. This firm continued 
about six years, when the senior partner retired from professional work 
by reason of impaired health. He was then out of business several 
years, but devoted his time to the care of his own and his wife's prop- 
erty. In February, 1866, he was elected mayor of the city, serving in 
that capacity one year and was one of our city's most popular officers. 
Soon afterward Mr. Johnson became senior partner in the wholesale 
grain dealing and shipping firm of Johnson & Comstock, and was in 
business about five years. In 1892 he opened a general fire insurance 
agency in the city, in which business he is now engaged. On May 2, 
1872, Joseph M. Johnson married Anna E., daughter ot the late Darius 
S. Ayers of this city. Three children were born of this marriage. 

Benjamin F. Smith was born in Greene, Chenango county, and was 
the son of Daniel and Mary A. Smith. He was educated in Cortland 
academy at Homer, and also in the New York Central college at Mc- 
Grawville. Mr. Smith came to Binghamton and read law in the office 
of Judge Griswold and was admitted to practice in May, 1866. When 
Judge Edwards was elected to the bench of the County court, Mr. 
Smith was appointed surrogate's clerk and served in that capacity about 



362 BINGHAMTON ITS SETTLEMENT, 

ten years. In January, 1885, the law firm of Downs & Smith was 
formed and has been continued to the present time. Mr. Smith is 
known as a careful, painstaking lawyer, little inclined to the turmoil of 
closely contested cases in court, but peculiarly adapted by training to 
the less arduous work of the office. In all matters pertaining to the 
practice in the Surrogate's court he is a recognized authority in Broome 
county. 

Andrew A.White has been known to the profession in this city more 
than twenty years, having come from the pretty little village of Bath 
in January, 1879. For fourteen years he occupied offices with Senator 
O'Connor. Mr. White was a native of Steuben county, and was born 
in the town of Howard, June 8, 1842. His parents were William W. 
and Jane White, his father being a farmer. Andrew was educated in 
the Bath union school and also in Alfred university, having graduated 
at the latter institution in 1865. He then read law with Guy H. 
McMaster, the lawyer and somewhat noted historian, and also with 
Clark Bell, now of New York city, but formerly of Bath. At Roches- 
ter in 1868 Mr. White was admitted to the bar. He practiced in Bath 
until January 1, 1879, when he became a member of our city bar. Mr. 
White is known as a careful, painstaking and capable lawyer. He is a 
firm Republican, an earnest advocate of the best principles of his party, 
and believes that the party itself is far greater than any of its self-pro- 
claimed leaders. 

William L. Griswold was born in Binghamton, July 5, 1843; was ed- 
ucated in the Binghamton academy, Susquehanna seminary and Yale 
college (graduated 1866). He was graduated at Albany Law school in 
1868 and in the same year was admitted to practice. He has always 
practiced in this city. Mr. Griswold is a Republican, and has held the 
offices of alderman, supervisor and justice of the peace. 

Stephen C. Millard has been a lawyer of this city for a period of more 
than thirty years, and during that time has advanced solely through 
his own efforts from the humble position of law student to the elevated 
professional station of leader of the city bar. It was a peculiarly fortu- 
nate circumstance in Mr. Millard's career that he was a student in Or- 
low W. Chapman's office, as he was there first brought into direct asso- 
ciation with the best element of our people; and it was equally fortu- 
nate that he should have been chosen from the younger members of 
the city bar as the business partner of that legal giant, Giles W. Hotch- 
kiss, after the death of Lewis Seymour. At that time, in 1873, Mr. 





jfkw.^.,v,U,.il(}Ak^ 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 363 

Hotchkiss had known Mr. Millard hardly more than five years, but he 
knew that he came of sturdy New England stock; that his educational 
qualifications were ample; that his personal character was unquestion- 
able. Hence the partnership and its pleasant period of uninterrupted 
association until Mr. Hotchkiss' death in 1878 (the firm of Millard & 
Stewart succeeded Hotchkiss & Millard). Mr. Millard was born in 
Stamford, in historic Bennington county, Vt., January 14, 1841. He 
was the son of Stephen C. and Harriet (Richmond) Millard, and the 
grandson of James Millard, who was one of Bennington county's sub- 
stantial early settlers. Stephen was educated at Powers institute and 
at Williams college; and was graduated at the latter in 1865. He read 
law with Pingree & Barker, attorneys at Pittsfield, Mass., but later on 
was a student at the Harvard Law school. In February, 1867, he came 
to this city and continued his studies in Mr. Chapman's office, as his 
previous legal education had been practically theoretical and in accord- 
ance with the old common law practice of New England, while in this 
state the code of 1848 governed the practice. In May of the same year 
he was admitted to the bar. Thus equipped, Mr. Millard applied him- 
self diligently to the labors of the profession and soon assumed and up 
to this time has maintained a prominent position among the ablest law- 
yers in this section of the state. His career is not yet closed and we 
cannot write of him as of one retired from active work, yet in mention- 
ing briefly the characteristics of the members of the city bar, one or 
two of Mr. Millard's personal traits are proper. In the conduct of his 
legal business he is both cautious and methodical, but never laborious. 
He will discourage rather than promote litigation, and in his intercourse 
with clients, deliberation always precedes counsel. He occasionally m- 
dulges in rhetoric, but never in oratorical display, and always ap- 
proaches the subject in hand with dignity, self-possession, and in the 
light of principle and common sense. Withal, Mr. Millard is recog- 
nized as a strong trial lawyer and a pleasing and logical advocate. Dur- 
ing the period of his practice, he has been associated as counsel, or at- 
torney of record, with several of the most important cases tried in our 
courts, and enjoys the pleasant distinction of having obtained the lar- 
gest judgment ever ordered in Broome county (Dunn, as receiver, vs. 
O'Connor, assignee of Ross & Sons), the amount of which was $166,- 
227 34 Another important case was that of Turner vs. The Trustees 
of the N. Y. State Inebriate asylum, in which Mr. Millard was retained 
by the defense, and was successful. The action was tried in the U. S. 



364 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

Circuit court, before Justice Blatchford. In the Delong murder trial 
he was senior counsel to District Attorney Curtiss. He successfully 
defended Lewis Furman, also charged with murder. In 1883-85 and 
again in 1885-87 Mr. Millard represented his district in congress, having 
been twice elected as the candidate of the Republican party. His 
record in the house of representatives was entirely satisfactory to his 
district, and he was regarded by his political associates as a valuable 
member of that legislative body. He secured the passage of an act 
appropriating $150,000 for the Federal building in this city. In 1888 
he was a delegate to the National Republican convention which nomi- 
nated Gen. Harrison for the presidency. On December 27, 1871, Mr. 
Millard married Helen J., daughter of Abel Bennett. Three sons, 
Norman B. , Stephen C. and Richmond Millard, were born of this mar- 
riage. 

Alexander De Witt Wales, who is known as one of the most forcible 
and thorough trial lawyers now at the bar in this city, was born in 
Liberty, Sullivan county, December 16, 1848. He was the son of 
Blake and Adeline (De Witt) Wales, his father being well remembered 
in the city, where the later years of his life were spent. Alexander (he 
is better known to our bar as A. De AVitt Wales) passed his youth in 
New York city, where he attended school, but about 1864 his parents 
removed to Delaware. In the fall of 1869 he entered the University 
Law school, and was admitted to practice in New York in 1871. The 
same year he located in this city and has since been a member of the 
Broome county bar, and one of its best representatives. He was clerk 
of the board of supervisors in 1876, and corporation counsel from 1878 
to 1886. Politically Mr. Wales is a Democrat, and perhaps the strong- 
est exponent of his party's principles in the county. As a public 
speaker, or as an advocate before the jury, his manner is easy, his 
utterances forcible, and his reasoning always sound and logical. He 
occasionally has been the nominee of his party for high public office, 
when it was hoped his professional and personal popularity might turn 
the scale of contest in a county and congressional district which were 
almost hopelessly Republican. On July 30, 1876, Mr. Wales married 
Lizzie H. Hart, daughter of Charles G. Hart, and granddaughter of the 
late venerable Dr. Paddock, of the M. E. church. Of this marriage 
six children were born. 

Jerome De Witt was born in Nicholson, Pa., February 15, 1845, and 
was the eldest of seven children of Evi and Annie E. (Wilson) De Witt. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 365 

In 1847 the family removed to New Milford, Susquehanna county, 
where Evi De Witt was a farmer. Jerome lived on the home farm 
until 18G8, and was educated in the common schools of the town, and 
also in New Milford academy, Gibson academy and the University of 
Michigan at Ann Arbor. In 1868 he came to Binghamton and read 
law one year in the office of William Barrett, a like term with Judge 
Griswold, and about six months with Judge Loomis. At the Albany 
county General Term in February, 1871, he was admitted to practice. 
Soon afterward the law firm of Scoville & De Witt was formed and 
was continued until Mr. Scoville's death in June, 1890. Since that 
time Mr. De Witt has practiced without a partner. He is known 
throughout the county as a good lawyer and safe counselor, and 
equally well known as a loyal, straightforward citizen. He is a firm 
Democrat, but previous to his election to the mayoralty did not take 
an active part in city politics. For twelve years he was treasurer of 
the Binghamton State hospital. In 1871 he became a member of Ex- 
celsior H. & L. Co. No. 1, and was connected with the fire department 
until about three years ago. In the truck company he was assistant 
foreman, was three times elected foreman, and in the department was 
second assistant, first assistant, and chief engineer, holding the latter 
position two years. He was one of the first fire commissioners in 1888 
under the act creating the board. He served two years and was then 
reappointed and served until May 26, 1890, when he resigned. Mr. 
De Witt was elected mayor in November, 1897, defeating George E. 
Green, the Republican candidate. In 1892 Jerome De Witt married 
Ida Brougham, of Newark Valley. 

David H. Carver, was born in the town of Union, March 19, 1843. 
He was educated in the district schools, Susquehanna seminary, Cort- 
land academy, and Hamilton college, graduating at the latter in 1871. 
He was also a Hamilton law graduate in 1875, receiving the degree 
of LL. D. He read law with Chapman & Martin and was ad- 
mitted to practice in 1875. During his practice Mr. Carver has 
been a member of the law firms of Johnson & Carver, Carver & 
Deyo, Carver, Deyo & Jenkins, and also of the present firm of 
Carver & Deyo. He served six years as member of the board of 
education, and was two years its president. In November, 1880, he 
was elected district attorney and served three years. 

Lewis C. Aldrich was born in Binghamton, March 25, 1851, the 
youngest of three sons of Solomon Aldrich. He was educated in 



366 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

the village select and district schools, Binghamton academy and also 
the city high school, graduating at the latter in 1869. For a time he 
was connected with the Binghamton Republicaa, as reporter, after 
which he read law with Richards & Sessions. He was admitted to 
practice in November, 1873. In 1875 he was elected city clerk, serving 
one year. In 1878 he left the profession and afterward engaged in his- 
torical work. 

Walter M, Hand was born in Binghamton August 9, 1851, and was 
educated at the Binghamton academy, from which he was graduated in 
1867. He then took a special preparatory course of study and entered 
Hamilton in 18(58, and was graduated in 1872. He read law with Peter 
W. Hopkins, and was admitted to practice in January, 1876. From 
that to the present time Mr. Hand has been an attorney of this city. 
While contrary to the policy of this work to discuss at length the per- 
sonal characteristics or legal attainments of any but the older members 
of the city bar, the writer nevertheless ventures the assertion, which is 
confirmed by the common expression of the profession, that Mr. Hand 
is the fortunate possessor of one of the best legal minds in Broome 
county. Had he aspired to political advancement judicial honors un- 
doubtedly would have been his reward. In Masonic circles he has 
standing of prominence, being master of Binghamton lodge No. 177 in 
1897, high priest of Binghamton chapter No. 139 in 1898, district 
deputy grand master for the twenty- eighth Masonic district, comprising 
the counties of Broome and Chenango, 1898 to 1900, and received the 
thirty third degree at Boston, Mass., in September 1897. 

John P. Wheeler came to the city to practice law in September, 1896, 
but for a period of twenty years previous to that time he resided and 
had an office in Whitney's Point. About the time mentioned (1896) 
Mr. Wheeler was engaged as leading counsel for the defense in the 
somewhat noted Thurston murder trial, and after two long, tedious and 
somewhat heated legal contests, he secured a final victory for his client; 
and while he secured very little money compensation for his services in 
that case, he was nevertheless otherwise rewarded in having gained a 
reputation as a criminal lawyer second to none at the Broome county 
bar. But, whether in the trial of civil or criminal cases, Mr. Wheeler 
is regarded as one of our strong lawyers. He was born in Oxford, 
December 21, 1846, and spent his early life on his father's farm. His 
education was acquired in the Oxford academy, after which he taught 
ten terms of school in Chenango county, and also after having reached 




FRANCIS W. DOWNS. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 367 

his majority managed the home farm. In 1873 he began reading law 
with Judge D wight H. Clarke, and finished his course with James W. 
Glover of^Oxford. In May, 1876, he was admitted to the bar, and in 
November following he opened an office in the enterprising village of 
Whitney's Point, in the northern part of this county. While there Mr. 
Wheeler's practice was general to the profession, and he also served 
six years as police justice of the village. He is an ardent Republican, 
but has not sought political preferment. He was a delegate to the Re- 
publican state conventions of 1893 and 1895. 

Francis W. Downs, more familiarly known in professional and social 
circles as Judge Downs, was a native of Ithaca, born February 9, 1850. 
In 1854 he came to live in Binghamton. He was educated in the union 
schools, and the parochial school connected with the parish of St. Pat- 
rick's church, after which he was for a time a student in the Cortland 
Normal school. Still later he taught four years in the district schools 
of this county, and in 1875 began a course of law study in the office of 
T. F. McDonald. In September, 1878, at a general term of the Su- 
preme court held at Saratoga, he was admitted to practice law. The 
law firm of McDonald & Downs was formed in 1878 and was continued 
until 1884. It was succeeded in January, 1885, by the firm of Downs 
& Smith, the latter being still in existence and well known in the south- 
ern tier.' Judge Downs is known throughout New York state as a firm 
and thorough Democrat, and in many hotly contested campaigns his 
voice has been heard in our large cities. He enjoys the reputation of 
being a pleasing and forcible public speaker, and as a banquet orator 
has few equals in the city. Although closely identified with the polit- 
ical history of Broome county for a period of nearly twenty years. Judge 
Downs has never been a candidate for an elective office. He was city 
clerk in 1881, elected by the common council and in 1883 was in the 
like manner elected city recorder. He was twice re elected, serving in 
all twelve years ; and it is a common remark in business circles that 
Judge Downs was one of the most capable public officials the city ever 
had in the recorder's chair. Judge Downs is loyal to Binghamton and 
believes in promoting its interests. He is the owner of a large tract of 
land on the western border, which he is constantly developing with the 
intention to erect one hundred dwellings. In allusion to the proprietor 
the locality is called " Downsville." He was at one time one of the 
trustees of the Binghamton State hospital, and also of the City hospital. 
He is now a trustee of St. Mary's home. 



368 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Augustus Babcock, senior partner of the law firm of Babcock, Sperry 
& VanCleve, was born at Scranton, Pa , October 7, 1855. His mother 
having died when he was only one week old, Augustus was brought up 
in the family of his uncle, Gardner J. Babcock, of Harford. He at- 
tended the district school and also the Harford graded school, and after 
he came to Binghamton in the spring of 1873 he finished his early edu- 
cation in our Central High school, where he was graduated in 1876. 
He then read law with Edward K. Clark, was admitted to the bar in 
January, 1880, and then became partner with his legal tutor, under the 
firm style of Clark, Brown & Babcock. He retired from the partner- 
ship in 1883 and became partner with Thomas A. Harroun, under the 
name of Babcock & Harroun. In January, 1889, the firm became Bab- 
cock & Sperry, and soon afterward, Babcock, Sperry & Van Cleve, as 
now known, although Mr. Van Cleve is confidential clerk to Judge 
Lyon, while Mr. Babcock himself is partially out of professional work 
and is publisher of " The Independent," a clean, well conducted weekly 
newspaper, devoted particularly to the advocacy of measures relating 
to labor subjects, and generally to the good order and welfare of 
our city. In the profession Mr. Babcock was known as an earnest 
conscientious lawyer, and in his journalistic venture his old legal char- 
acte istics are still apparent. His connection with the Independent be- 
gan about December 1, 1898. 

George Boughton Curtiss was a native of Mt. Morris, Livingston 
county, born September 16, 1852, and was the son of George and Hulda 
(Boughton) Curtiss, the father being the son of General Roselle Curtiss, 
a pioneer lumberman and land surveyor in the Genesee valley. Gen- 
eral Curtiss' father was an English sea captain who settled in Royal- 
ton, Vt., in which historic locality he, also, was a pioneer. Of Captain 
Curtiss, or his antecedents, little is now known, but he is believed to 
have been Elias Curtiss, whose property \vas destroyed by the Indians 
at the burning of Royalton, October 16, 1780. In 1856 George Curtiss 
left the Genesee valley and settled in McHenry county. 111., where he 
was a farmer. He enlisted and served in the 127th Illinois Infantry 
until July, 1863, when he died of fever in front of Vicksburg, Miss. 
The young life of George B. Curtiss was spent on a farm, attending 
district school in the winter and working the farm in the summer. For 
two years he attended an academic school at Marengo, 111., during 
which time he determined to enter the legal profession, although cir- 
cumstances compelled him to pursue other avocations for several years. 




GEORGE B. CURTISS. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 369 

In the early part of 1875 he became a student in the Northwestern 
Business college at Madison, Wis., from which institution he was grad- 
uated in September following. He then returned to Illinois and 
taught penmanship in an academic school at Elgin, and also taught a 
school opened by himself at Woodstock. In the spring of 1876 he was 
engaged by Daniel W. Lowell as professor of the penmanship depart- 
ment in Lowell's Easiness college at Binghamton, and on April 22 of 
that year he came to reside in this city. He was connected with the 
college four years, and during that time devoted his leisure to the study 
of law in the office of Hotchkiss & Millard, and afterward with A. Ue 
Witt Wales ; and at the same time he took a special course of study in 
the sciences under the instruction of Prof. A. E. Magoris of the B. C. 
H. S. At the General Term of the Supreme court held at Ithaca in 
May, 1880, he was admitted to practice law in this state. In 1880 Mr. 
Curtiss opened an office for law practice in this city. Three years later 
he was elected district attorney of Broome county, and was re-elected 
at the end of his first term, serving in all six years. In 1886 the law 
firm of Arms & Curtiss was formed and was continued to January 1, 
1889, when the senior partner became county judge and surrogate. 
Mr. Curtiss' next partner was W. W. Newell, with whom he was asso- 
ciated from 1892 to 1896; since that time he has practiced alone. In 
connection with Mr. Curtiss' early practice and his election to the dis- 
trict attorneyship so soon after his admission to the bar were one or 
two unusual circumstances in the political history of the county. The 
young man had no acquaintance whatever in Binghamton when he 
came to the city in 1876 as professor of penmanship in Lowell's college. 
This employment occupied one-half of each school day throughout the 
period, and an evening session during winter terms, but notwithstand- 
ing that, he found time to complete a course of law study and gain 
admission to the bar, and also to thoroughly equip himself with a 
knowledge of the sciences. With these duties to engage his attention, 
and without the opportunity to become well acquainted with the people 
of the county, it was something unusual that Mr. Curtiss should have 
been elected district attorney in a county where a wide acquiantance 
with both man and methods is generally essential in order to secure 
political advancement; but his old legal tutors say that his election was 
only the deserved recognition of his capacity, and that his conduct of 
the office was convincing evidence that the confidence of the Republi- 
cans of the county had not been misplaced. During the six years of 

24 



370 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

his incumbency, District Attorney Curtiss conducted 120 criminal pros 
ecutions, of which only thirteen were decided against him ; and never 
during the period was an indictment set aside through defect in its 
preparation. Other and still higher political honors have been within 
his reach, but he has not sought or accepted them. The last fifteen 
years of his life have been too closely occupied with other studies and 
other thoughts. His study of the sciences and the economic principles 
of our government during earlier years was beginning to yield its fruit; 
the germ had developed into organism, and with the plain cause and 
effect of changes in our National political system regarding the tariff, as 
evidenced by the administrations of opposing parties in power, the 
country was in need of an authoritative work treating on this all-impor- 
tant subject. Mr. Curtiss' "Protection and Prosperity" was put in 
circulation in 1896, when the presidential campaign of that year was at 
its height, and when the tariff question was the paramount subject 
of discussion; but, unfortunately for the best results to the author, the 
" Free Silver plank " in the Democratic platform turned the tide of dis- 
cussion to our National financial standard, and for the time relegated 
the tariff to a position of secondary importance. The present writer 
ventures no personal opinion regarding " Protection and Prosperity; " 
the subject is far beyond his depth, but he rests content wi!:h the pub- 
lished expression of such distinguished tariff masters as McKinley, 
Reed, Morton, Prof. Gunton (editor of "American Economics and Po- 
litical Science "), Lord Mashman (the eminent English protectionist 
and political economist), and a host of others versed in the doctrine of 
protection. As a lawyer at the bar of Broome county George B. Cur- 
tiss stands in the front rank, having been tried and found true. He 
has been associated as counsel in some of the most important cases 
tried in our courts, and with remarkable success. His manner is fear- 
less, and at times aggressive, and his reasoning is always sound and 
logical. This much may be said of the man without transgressing any 
of the proprieties. In July, 1898, he was appointed counsel for the 
Binghamton State hospital, and in September of the same year was 
appointed attorney for the Binghamton Street Railroad company. On 
May 1, 1880, George B. Curtiss married Mary D., daughter of Calvin 
and Elizabeth Bliss of Lisle. Two daughters have been born to them. 
Winthrop D. Painter, district attorney of Broome county from Janu- 
ary 1, 1890, to December 31, 1895, came to the bar in this city in May, 
1880, as a graduate of the law office of Chapman & Lyon. Mr. Painter 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 371 

is a native of Weymouth, Medina county, Ohio, and was born June 2, 
1852. His early education was acquired in the Weymouth village 
schools, and also at Oberlin college, where he graduated in 1887. After- 
ward, for a time, he was a teacher in Grand Traverse college, Benzonia, 
Mich., and in 1878 came to this city and became a law student in Chap- 
man & Lyon's office. Throughout the period of his residence in Bing- 
hamton, Mr. Painter has been a factor in the political history of the 
county, and his election to the district attorneyship in the fall of 1889, and 
again in 1892, was both a reward for party service and a recognition of 
his legal attainments. He was at one time a member and secretary of 
the county committee; was twice elected president of the Grant club, 
and was a member of the executive committee of the Republican State 
league. The present legal firm of Lyon, Painter & Hinman was formed 
January 1, 1896. Previous to that date, and after January, 1887, Mr. 
Painter practiced without a partner, and prior to opening an office for 
himself, he was for several years in the employ of Chapman & Lyon as 
managing clerk. On June 29, 1881, Mr. Painter married Jennie, daugh- 
ter of the late Harry Lyon. 

Henry L. Beach, official stenographer of our County court, and also 
stenographer to Justice Lyon of the Supreme court, is a native of 
Springfield, Otsego county, born April 10, 1855, and is the son of the 
late Ephraini Ogden Beach, a civil engineer and farmer during his life- 
time. The young life of Henry L. Beach was spent on his father's 
farm, and he" was educated in the district schools, the East Springfield 
seminary and also in an academic school at Montclair, N. J. In 1876 
he went to Ithaca and became a student of stenography in the office of 
the late William O. Wyckoff, then an official court reporter. At the 
same time he read law with Frank E. Tibbitts, of Ithaca. In the 
spring of 1879 he came to Binghamton and was employed as stenogra- 
pher in the law office of Chapman & Lyon, and at the same time he 
continued his course of law study ; and at a General Term of the Supreme 
court held at Saratoga in September, 1881, he was admitted to practice 
law. Very soon afterward the law firm of Hotchkiss, Crandall & Beach 
was formed and was continued about one year, when Mr. Crandall re- 
moved from the city and Mr. Hotchkiss was elected city justice of the 
peace. Mr. Beach then practiced alone, but chiefly devoted his atten- 
tion to reporting. Afterward he was for a time in Chapman & Lyon's 
office and still later with Mr. Curtiss, when, in December, 1886, he was 
appointed Supreme court stenographer. His appointment as County 



372 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT. 

court stenographer dates from 1879. Both of these positions Mr. Beach 
still holds, and he is regarded by the bench and the bar in the counties 
in which his service is required as one of the most competent and accu- 
rate reporters in the state. However, Mr. Beach has by no means 
abandoned law practice, as he is frequently appointed referee to hear 
and determine important cases ; and occasionally his name appears on 
the calendar as attorney of record. Although not constantly engaged 
in practice, he is regarded by the bar generally as a lawyer of excellent 
capacity. He is especially well equipped mentally for the reference 
work, in which his long experience as reporter has proved an excellent 
school. He never reported an important cause without closely follow- 
ing its course even to the court of final resort; and all the legal princi- 
ples therein enunciated are firmly fixed in his mind. Naturally he is 
studious, thoughtful and observing; his expressions are conservative, 
yet logical. This is the common sentiment of the bar. Outside of the 
profession and his official position, Mr. Beach takes an earnest interest 
in business affairs. To a limited extent he is a farmer and hop grower 
in Otsego county, and in this city he is president of the Ogden Brick 
company. Since 1877 he has been an active member of the State Sten- 
ographic association, and was its president in 1889-90. INIr. Beach's 
wife with whom he married August 37, 1879, was Edith L., daughter 
of Mark C. Carroll of East Springfield, N. Y. 

Fremont F. Williams has been a member of the bar of this county 
since 1882. He acquired his early legal education in the office of Judge 

uell, of Cortland, also in the offices of William J. Ludden and Edward 
K. Clark, of this city, and was admitted to practice at a General Term 
of the Supreme court held at Saratoga in September, 1882. Mr. Will- 
iams is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Scottsville, Wyoming county, 
April 28, 1855, the son of Sinton Williams, and the grandson of Abra- 
ham Williams, the latter a native of Wales and a pioneer in the historic 
Wyoming valley. During his youth, Fremont F. Williams came to 
Windsor, this county, and was brought up in the family of his uncle, 
Neri Blatchley, a prominent man of that town, former supervisor, 
member of assembly, at one time principal of the school in Binghamton, 
and also the patentee of the celebrated " Blatchley plow. " Fremont 
attended the Windsor schools and also was given private instruction by 
his uncle. Later on he was a student in the Cortland Normal school, 
but having determined to enter the legal profession, he began the study 
of law with Judge Duell and afterward continued it in this city, as 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 373 

above mentioned. In professional circles Mr. Williams is known as a 
careful, painstaking and conscientious lawyer, well equipped mentally 
for all the duties of his calling. Politically he is a Republican but 
takes no active part in public affairs. He is a devoted member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, and takes an especial interest in Sunday 
school work. 

A. Perry Fish was born in Susquehanna county, Pa., April 15, 1856, 
and was the son of Rev. A. H. and Sarah N. (Vance) Fish, his father 
being a clergyman of the Baptist church. He was a grandson of Dr. 
Rufus Fish, a sturdy Vermont Yankee and a pioneer in northern Penn- 
sylvania, settling at Great Bend in 1707. Perry (the entire city bar 
knows him best as Perry Fish) was educated at the Keystone academy, 
Lackawanna county, Pa., and Lake View institute, of Susquehanna 
county. Pa., after which he completed a course in Hillsdale college, in 
Michigan, where he was graduated in 1875. He then taught school 
five years, and in 1880 began reading law with A. De Witt Wales, of 
this city, and in November, 1883, he was admitted to practice. The 
law firm of Wales, Hand & Fish was formed in 1883, and continued to 
1891. Mr. Fish then practiced alone until 1894 when he formed a part- 
nership with F. S. Anderson, and later with E. A. Randall, the firm of 
Fish & Randall which continued until September, 1897, when P. H. 
Reed became his law partner forming the firm of Fish & Reed which 
still exists. Perry Fish is one of our active, bright attorneys and has ac- 
quired a deserved prominence as a criminal lawyer and as a practitioner 
in bankruptcy. He is a strong Republican, and both his influence and 
voice have been factors in city and county politics for the last twelve 
or fifteen years. 

Israel T. Deyo has been an active member of the city bar since 1883, 
and is known as an earnest, industrious and thorough lawyer, with a 
direct, straightforward way of reaching out for facts that is decidedly 
refreshing, and reminds the older practitioners of Mr. Collier's charac- 
teristic way, and also something of George Bartlett's style of handling 
a case. In one respect, at least, Mr. Deyo reminds us of Mr. Dickin- 
son, as he has an especial contempt for all knaving and sham, whether 
in the profession or the still broader field of politics. As the represent- 
ative of this county in the legislature from 1890-1893, inclusive, Mr. 
Deyo's public service was conspicuous and honorable alike to the county 
and to himself. In this brief sketch, which is designed to be entirely 
professional, we are not at liberty to comment at length concerning 



374 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

members of the present bar, hence must be content with the above 
statements. An extended sketch of Mr. Deyo's professional and polit- 
ical career would require at least a chapter of this work. 

Mr. Deyo was born in the town of Union, this county, in the locality 
called for his family " Deyo Hill," January 28, 1856, and was the son 
of Richard and Caroline (Acker) Deyo. His early education was 
acquired in the district schools of the town, and it was not until 1870 
that he had an opportunity to attend the city high school; and even 
then he walked the entire distance of three miles from his home on 
Deyo Hill to the city twice every day during the fall and winter terms 
of school. He was graduated from the Binghamton High school in 
1875, and was the valedictorian of his class. He then entered Amherst 
college and was graduated with the degree of A. B. in 1879. For the 
next year and a half Mr. Deyo was principal of the Whitne3"'s Point 
academy, after which he was a teacher in the Cortland Normal school. 
In the meantime, however, he began reading law and in May, 1882, 
gave his entire time to that study in the office of David. H. Carver, in 
this city. In January, 1883, he was admitted to practice, and two years 
later became partner with Mr. Carver, under the firm style of Carver & 
Deyo. The firm subsequently became Carver, Deyo & Jenkins, but in 
1899 the original name was restored. 

Mr. Deyo loves his profession, but not because he loves litigation it- 
self. He is the confidential C3unsel of many of our largest corporations 
and other business concerns and prides himself on his success in keep- 
ing his clients free from litigation. He regards a law suit as a last re- 
sort for protecting or securing a right. But once involved he is an 
aggressive and uncompromising champion, when vital principles are in- 
volved. Such is the character of the man in his legal work. His mind 
is both studious and practical. The quiet, thoughtful determination 
which led him to obtain, almost unaided, a college education, also led 
him quite naturally into the legal learning of the past, and made the 
first impulse of his mind to search for principles rather than expedients. 

Almiron M. Sperry, former clerk of the Surrogate's court and at 
present in active practice as one of the law firm of Babcock, Sperry & 
Van Cleve, was born in Castle Creek, this county, January 9, 1859, and 
was the son of Rev. Aaron C. and Abigail (Culver) Sperry, his father 
being a clergyman of the M. E. church. Almiron was educated in the 
district schools, the Binghamton Central High school, Cazenovia semin- 
ary, and also a seminary at Kingston, Pa. He then became a clerk in 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 375 

J. P. Griffin's store in Whitney's Point, but soon afterward began the 
study of law in David L. Maxfield's office. After about a year he came 
to this city and continued his studies with David H. Carver, and was 
admitted to practice at the Albany county General Term in January, 
1883. He began practice in Whitney's Point, but in 1884 he was ap- 
pointed clerk of the Surrogate's court, under Judge Edwards, upon 
which he removed to this city. Mr. Sperry was connected with the 
surrogate's office about five years, after which, in 1889, he became 
partner with Augustus Babcock in the law firm of Babcock & Sperry. 
Mr. Van Cleve came into the firm in the latter part of the same year, 
upon which the style changed to Babcock, Sperry & Van Cleve. This 
name still stands, although the senior partner is now engaged in jour- 
nalistic work, while Mr. Van Cleve is confidential secretary to Judge 
Lyon. Thus the honors of the legal work of the firm have devolved on 
Mr. Sperry, who, among members of the bar is known as a thorough, 
competent and conscientious lawyer. Mr. Sperry's wife, whom he 
married January 20, 1883, was Nora E., daughter of John Bixby, of 
Whitney's Point. They have two children. 

Charles H. Hitchcock was born in Binghamton, November 12, 1857, 
and was the son of Henry S. and Mary J. (Smith) Hitchcock. Henry 
S. Hitchcock is remembered as one of our old village merchants, hav- 
ing been partner with F. T. Newell in a grocery and provision store 
previous to 1860. He was the son of Simon C. Hitchcock, who came 
here from Cazenovia in 1855 and died in 1878. Charles was educated 
in our city schools, and was graduated at the B. C. H. S. in 1875; then 
entered Hamilton college and was graduated in 1879. The next two 
years he spent in teaching in the DeGarno institute at Rhinebeck, 
after which he read law with Millard & Stewart, in this city, and was 
admitted to practice in January, 1884. From that until the present 
time, with brief exceptions. Major Hitchcock (he is best known by that 
title) has been a practicing attorney of Binghamton. One of the excep- 
tional periods just referred to was in 1886, when he spent six months in 
Illinois, in the capacity of legislative reporter for the Illinois State 
Journal, and the St. Louis Globe-Democrat. The second exceptional 
period covered nearly one year's service in the late Spanish-American 
war, as captain of Co. H., 1st N. Y. Vols. He served with his regi- 
ment at Camp Black, Fort Columbus, New York harbor, at the Presi- 
dio of San Francisco and Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands. At the latter 
station he served for some months as a member of a general court mar- 



376 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

tial and as president of a board of officers to investigate claims of citi- 
zens for damages accruing from property occupied for military pur- 
poses. Major Hitchcock's military career began in' 1882 as private in 
the 20th separate company, N. G., N. Y., and includes active service 
in the switchmen's strike of 1892. He was steadily promoted through 
the several grades, and attained his present rank of major in the 1st 
regiment of infantry, N. G., N. Y., March 17, 1899. 

As a lawyer Major Hitchcock has been connected with a number of 
important cases, and has served as attorney for the board of health for 
several years. The system of records and rules of procedure now in 
force in the health office was devised by him in collaboration with 
Dr. D. vS. Burr. 

Eldon R. Carver was born in the town of Union, February 23, 1858, 
and was the son of Richard and Angeline (Johnson) Carver. Richard 
Carver was born in the Hudson River valley, but previous to his settle- 
ment in this county, about 1840, he spent several years in the lead 
mines of Michigan. Eldon was brought up on a farm and was educated 
in the Binghamton High s.hool, Albany academy and Amherst college, 
having graduated at the latter institution in 1881. He read law with 
David H. Carver and Benajah S. Curran, and was admitted to practice 
in January, 1884. Mr. Carver has always practiced in this city. He 
is a Republican but not active in politics. He was clerk of the city civil 
service commission for several years. 

S. Mack vSmith was born in Union, this county, September 30, 1863, 
and was the fourth of six children in the family of Francis B. and Paul- 
ine (Woughter) Smith. F. B. Smith, the father, was also a native of 
Union, and was descended from Vermont revolutionary stock. His 
grandfather was one of the pioneers of Union. F. B. Smith was for 
many years a practicing lawyer in Union and is remembered as one of 
the leading attorneys of the county in his time. Had he located at the 
county ssat he wjuld have been recognized as a leader of the city bar. 
S. Mack Smith, the only son of F. B. Smith to enter the profession, 
(with the exception of John D., now practicing in New York), was 
educated in the Union public schools and also the Central High school 
of this city. He read law in his father's office, and was admitted to 
practice in 1885, at the September General Term of the Supreme 
court, held in Binghamton. Mr. Smith practiced in Union until Jan- 
uary 1, 1890, when he removed to the city. He was town clerk m Union 
in 1885, and on January 1, 1880, began a four years term as village 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 377 

postmaster. Of course he is a Democrat, strong and true, and was 
reared under the influence of a Democratic father, and one of the lead- 
ers of his party in the county. In the fall of 1889 S. Mack Smith was 
the nominee of his party for the district attorneyship. On April 1, 1894, 
the law firm of Smith & Rogers was formed and was continued to 
October 1, 1898. In January, of the year last mentioned, Mr. Smith 
was elected city recorder, and took the office January 1, 1899. On 
November 26, 1890, Mr. Smith married Luella E., daughter of Theo- 
dore C. Peck ; of this marriage one child has been born. 

Robert B. Richards was born in Binghamton, May 3, 1861, and was 
the eldest of three sons of Dan S. Richards, the latter one of the oldest 
practicing lawyers of the city and the grandson of one of the earliest 
settlers on the Boston purchase. Robert was educated in the union 
schools of the city and was graduated from the B. C. H. S. in 1882. He 
also took an extra preparatory course, but did not enter college. He 
read law in his father's office and at Syracuse in November, 1887, was 
admitted to practice; in June, 1897, he was admitted to practice in the 
United States Circuit and District courts. The law firm of D. S. & R. 
B. Richards was formed in 1887, and was continued until about 1897, 
when the senior member retired from active professional work. Mr. 
Richards is one of the active young members of the city bar, and is 
also a prominent figure in local Democratic political circles. He was 
for three years chairman of the city board of excise, and has at- 
tended as a delegate the State Democratic convention. However, he 
has no strong inclination for political preferment. On October 15, 
1895, Mr. Richards was married to Harriet E., daughter of Edward B. 
Avery of Utica. 

James H. Roberts was born in Mt. Pleasant, Cal., June 34, 18G0. He 
was the eldest son of six children of James and Content E. (Coon) 
Roberts. In 1851 James Roberts left Scranton, Pa , and located on 
the Pacific coast, where he was lumberman, miner and hydraulic power 
operator for a period of about twenty years. He then returned to the 
east and settled in Windsor, Broome county. He was killed by acci- 
dent in this city a few years ago. James H. Roberts was educated in 
the Windsor academy, and was graduated at the State Normal school 
at Ypsilanti, Mich., in 1881. He entered Hamilton college in 1882, and 
was graduated with the class of 1886, receiving the degree of A.B. He 
then came to Binghamton and read law in the office of Chapman & 
Lyon, and was admitted to practice at the Onondaga county General 



378 BINGHAMTON iTvS SETTLEMENT, 

Term in November, 1887. In the following year Mr. Roberts formed 
a law partnership with Charles F. O'Brien, under the style of Roberts & 
O'Brien, which firm relation was continued until January 1, 1895, when 
the senior partner became city recorder. He resigned the office 
December 20, 1897, and oa February 23, 1898, was appointed post- 
master at Binghamton. The present law firm of Roberts, Tuthill & 
Rogers was formed January 1, 1899. Throughout the period of his 
residence in this city, Mr. Roberts has been an active figure in Broome 
county Republican politics. His faithfulness to the party and his 
earnest efforts in its behalf during these years have been rewarded in 
his political advancement to the postmastership. He was for three 
years the attorney and clerk of the city board of excise. On July 1, 
1891, James H. Roberts married Jennie K., daughter of HoUis Row- 
land, of Sherburne, N. Y. Four children have been born of this mar- 
riage. 

Harry Fred Lyon was born in Binghamton, October 4, 1863, and was 
the son of Harry and Pamelia (Livermore) Lyon. He was educated in 
the city schools, and also took a special preparatory course under the 
private instruction of Allan M. North. Failing health, however, com- 
pelled Mr. Lyon to abandon the idea of a college course. In 1893 he 
began reading law in the office of Chapman & Lyon, and on April 19, 
1888, he was admitted to the bar. He practiced in the office of Chap- 
man & Lyon and his brother, George F. Lyon, until September 1, 1893, 
and afterward alone until January 1, 1896, when the law firm of Lyon, 
Painter & Hinman was formed, and succeeded to the practice neces- 
sarily discontinued by Judge Lyon when he went on the bench of the 
Supreme court. In the supervisor's session of 1885-86 Mr. Lyon was 
clerk of the board. 

William F. Van Cleve was born in Irvington, N. J., March 19, 1856, 
and in 1864 moved with his father's family to Binghamton. He was 
educated in the ward schools and the B. C. H. S. of this city, and in 
1872 began work in H. E. & A. E. Smith's shoe factory. He left the 
shop in 1885 and for about a year sold goods "on the road." In 1887- 
88 he was assistant postmaster under Edward H. Freeman, and during 
that time devoted his leisure to the study of law in the office of Babcock 
& Harroun, practicing attorneys of the city. At the September Gen- 
eral Term of the Supreme court held in Binghamton in 1889, he was 
admitted to practice. Soon afterward he became a member of the law 
firm of Babcock, Sperry & Van Cleve, which firm succeeded Babcock 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 379 

& Harroun. The partnership above mentioned was continued until 
May 1, 1898, when Mr. Van Cleve retired to enter upon the perform- 
ance of his duties as confidential clerk to Justice Lyon, of the Supreme 
court. This opportunity was indeed a compliment to Mr. Van Cleve's 
legal capacity, especially when we remember that he is a firm Demo- 
crat, while Judge Lyon has ever been an equally strong Republican. 
Mr. Van Cleve was the candidate of his party for the county judgeship 
against Judge Arms in 1894, but in Broome county such nominations 
on the Democratic side are generally made more in recognition of the 
professional standing of the nominee rather than the hope of success at 
the polls. From September, 1896, to September, 1898, Mr. Van Cleve 
was a member of the city board of education. 

Robert Swan Parsons, of the law firm of Perkins & Parsons, is a na- 
tive of Barker, Broome county, born May 8, 1867, and is the son of the 
late Joseph Stoddard Parsons, the latter being remembered as one of 
the prominent men of that town for many years, a farmer and stock 
dealer. For several years he was engaged in the lumber business in 
Syracuse. Robert is also the grandson of the late Col. Lorenzo Par- 
sons of Barker, and the great-grandson of Jacob Parsons, the pioneer 
and one of the proprietors of the Boston purchase; his settlement on 
that historic tract dating 1789. Robert spent his young life on the 
home farm and he was educated in the common schools, and also the 
Whitney's Point academy, graduating from the latter in 1886. He then 
went to northwestern Iowa, where he engaged in cattle ranching nearly 
a year, but returning home he entered Cornell university in the fall of 
1887, taking the law course and graduating in 1889. During his uni- 
versity course, and for a year after graduation, Mr. Parsons devoted his 
vacation periods to the study of law under the preceptorship of Stephen 
C. Millard. He was admitted to practice at the General Term of the 
Supreme court held in Syracuse in May, 1890. He became a resident 
lawyer of this city in the latter part of the same year, occupying an 
office with Mr. Perkins (the present ot^cesof the firm) until 1891, when 
the legal partnership of Perkins & Parsons was formed. In professional 
and business circles Mr. Parsons is known as a capable, energetic and 
trustworthy lawyer, and generally in the city he is regarded as one of 
the leaders of the younger element of the county bar. He is known, 
too, as a staunch Republican, taking an active interest in county and 
city politics, though not for his own advancement. He is a member of 
the Masonic fraternity, and a past master of Otseningo lodge. 



380 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

Albert S. Barnes was born in Franklin, Delaware county, January 
13, 1869, and was the son of Willard and Caroline (Sullard) Barnes. 
He was educated in the Delaware Literary institute at Franklin, from 
which institution he graduated in 1889. He obtained a state scholar- 
ship at Cornell university, from the law school of which he graduated 
in 1891 with a degree of LL.B. He read law with Lewis F. Raymond, 
of Franklin, and was admitted to practice in September, 1891, at Utica. 
On October 1st of the same year he came to Binghamton. He practiced 
about a year with Geo. W. Penrie, and in 1893 he was managing clerk 
for Carver, Deyo & Jenkins, In October, 1897, the present law firm 
of Barnes & Flint was formed. Mr. Barnes is one of the active young 
members of the city bar, and is prominent in Republican political cir- 
cles. He was elected justice of the peace in February, 1803, serving 
from January, 1894 to 1900, his term having been extended one year 
under an act of amending the city charter. On October 30, 1895, Mr. 
Barnes married Katherine L., daughter of Henry C. Hermans, of this 
city. 

James T. Rogers has been a member of the county bar since the 
early part of 1894, yet during his comparatively brief residence in the 
city he has attained standing of enviable prominence in the legal 
profession and also in political and social circles. He is known as 
a young law3'er of ability, a strong advocate and a political debater of 
much pro nise. His qualities have been recognized in the county, and 
his election to places of trust and responsibility are a merited reward. 
Mr. Rogers was born in the town of Owego, April 18, 1864, and is the 
son of the late Dr. C. R Rogers, of Newark Valley. Dr. Rogers is 
well remembered by the older medical practitioners of this county as a 
physician of the village of Whitney's Point, where he lived several years. 
At one time he was president of the Broome County Medical society. 
After leaving the Point Dr. Rogers resumed practice in Tioga county, 
and was a resident of Newark Valley at the time of his death, in April, 
1897. The young life of James T. Rogers was spent in Whitney's 
Point, where he was educated in the academic school, and after his 
father returned to Tioga county the son attended the public school in 
Newark Valley and also the Free academy in Owego. In the latter vil- 
lage, on leaving school, he was employed in the post-office, first as clerk, 
but was afterward promoted to the position of assistant postmaster, 
which he filled five years. In 1889 he began reading law with Judge 
Mead, and at the same time was clerk of the Surrogate's court of Tioga 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 381 

county. In 18!»1 he entered the law department of Cornell university, 
and was graduated with the degree of LL.B. in June, 1893. Previous 
to the completion of his law course at Cornel], in September, 1892, Mr. 
Rogers was admitted to practice. His first legal service was a clerk- 
ship in the law firm of White & Cheney, of Syracuse, where he remained 
until March, 1894, when he located for practice in Binghamton. His 
first law partner was S. Mack Smith, with whom he was associated un- 
til October 1, 1898, when the copartnership was dissolved, Mr. vSmith 
having been elected city recorder. In December following, the present 
firm of Roberts, Tuthill & Rogers was formed. In 1895 Mr. Rogers 
was appointed police attorney of the city and served in that capacity 
until March, 1898. In September of the latter year he was nominated 
by the Republican convention of the First or Eastern district of 
Broome county as its candidate for the assembly. He was elected by a 
a gratifying majority over all opposing candidates. In the legislature 
Mr. Rogers proved to be a worthy representative of our county's inter- 
ests. The " City Court " bill was framed by him, and under his care 
was enacted into a law. 

Rollin W. Meeker, former legal associate and graduate of the office 
of the late Senator O'Connor, came to the bar in 1892, and has since 
been closely identified with the profession, both in the city and county. 
He also has been and still is a conspicuous figure in Broome county Re- 
publican politics, though his office holdings have been limited to a brief 
term as police attorney of the city in 1895. Counselor Meeker prefers 
professional rather than political prominence, hence devotes himself 
closely to legal work. Since his admission to the bar he has been the 
attorney in many important litigations, including an action to set aside 
a mortgage of $150,800 on the property of Erastus Ross, former presi- 
dent of the Merchants bank. He successfully instituted and prosecuted 
mandamus proceedings against the board of street commissioners of the 
city of Binghamton, to compel the appointment of a veteran to the po- 
sition of superintendent of streets, which was the first case of its kind in 
the state. He has organized and is the attorney for many local corpora- 
tions. Mr. Meeker was born in the town of Binghamton, Decem- 
ber 25, 1870, and is the son of Eli S. and Samantha (Morgan) Meeker, 
his father having been a well-known business man of the town and city 
of Binghamton for many years. Mr. Meeker was educated in our pub- 
lic schools, and also under private instruction. He read law with Ed- 
mund O'Connor, and on February 5, 1892, was admitted to practice. 
He is regarded as one of our young lawyers of excellent promise. 



382 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Maurice E. Page was born in Triangle, Broome county, December 
24, 1860. He is the son and the second of five children of Cyrus 
and Marcia (Eldredge) Page. Cyrus Page is the son of the late Solo- 
mon Page, the latter being the son of John Page, the pioneer, who 
came from Litchfield, Conn., in the early part of the present century 
and settled in the locality known as Page Brook in the town of Trian- 
gle. Maurice lived on the home farm until he attained his majority. 
He was educated in the district school, the Whitney's Point academy, 
where he graduated in ISS"^, and also in Amherst college, graduating 
at the latter in 1886. He always took high rank in his classes and for 
superior attainments in his college course was elected to membership in 
the PJii Beta Kappa society. After graduation from college he was 
principal of Whitney's Point academy one year, the Trumansburg acad- 
emy two years and of the Union school and academy at Greene three 
years. In the early part of 1892 he began reading law with Eugene 
Clinton, esq., of Greene, and in August of the same year he came to 
this city and finished his studies with Carver, Deyo & Jenkins. At a 
General Term of the Supreme court held in Binghamton in February, 
1894, Mr. Page was admitted to the practice of law in the courts of this 
state. He at once became managing clerk for the firm of Carver, Deyo 
& Jenkins and was associated with them until April 1, 1889, when the 
present legal partnership of Jenkins & Page was formed. He was ad- 
mitted to practice in the U. S. Circuit courts at a term thereof held at 
Buffalo, N. Y., in October, 1898. Mr. Page is a comparatively young 
member of the city bar, yet in professional circles he is known as a 
careful, capable and conscientious lawyer. On August 20, 1889, Mr. 
Page married Emma M. Coe of Gilbertsville, N. Y. ; one child, Mil- 
dred C. Page, has been born of this marriage. 

Walter S. Flint was born in South Colton, St. Lawrence county, N. 
Y., March 13, 1861. He was educated in the South Colton graded 
school, and also the State Normal school at Potsdam, N. Y. , from which 
he was graduated in 1887. He was then principal of the public schools 
at Katonah, Westchester county, N. Y., for the year 1887-88, followed 
by a five years' principalship of the Fort Covington academ)", in Frank- 
lin, N. Y. While engaged in teaching Prof. Flint (for by this title was he 
generally known) devoted his summer vacations to the study of law, first 
with Matt C. Ransom, of Fort Covington, next with John A. Vance, of 
Potsdam, and still later with Swift & Bell, of Potsdam. Thus equipped 
with an elementary education, Mr. Flint entered the law department of 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 383 

the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and was graduated in 1895. 
At Albany, on December 3, 1895, he was admitted to practice law in 
this state, and two days later opened an office for the practice of his 
profession in this city. Mr. Flint practiced alone until October 1, 1897 
when the present law firm of Barnes & Flint was formed. In Katonah, 
on March 10, 1890, Mr. Flint married Hattie G., daughter of Joseph 
Benedict. They have one child. 

Burr W. Mosher was born in North Sanford, Broome county, April 7, 
1863, and was the second of three children of Wesson and Elizabeth 
(French) Mosher. He lived at home on his father's farm until he was 
twenty-four years old, and was educated in the district schools and also 
a select school at North Sanford. At the age of seventeen years he 
began teaching winter terms of school, and so continued seven years, 
devoting the summer season to farm work. In the summer of 1887 he 
began a three years' course of study in the Geneseo Normal school at 
Geneseo, and was graduated in 1890. He was then appointed principal 
of the Union school at Naples, Ontario county, which position he filled 
with excellent results for a term of four years; but determining to 
enter the legal profession, he came to Binghamton and began the study 
of law in the office of George F. Lyon, finishing his course, however, 
with Lyon, Painter & Hinman, He passed the required legal examin- 
ation in October, 1896, at Syracuse, and was admitted to practice in De- 
cember following. Mr. Mosher has practiced law in this city a little 
more than three years, and while young in the profession is nevertheless 
known as a thorough and practical lawyer. In January, 1897, he was 
elected city clerk and served in that capacity two years. On July 5, 
1892, Mr. Mosher married Abigail B., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ed- 
mund C. Clarke of Naples. One child, Caroline E., has been born of 
this marriage. 

Royal A. Gunnison, United States Referee in Bankruptcy for Broome 
and Delaware counties, was born in this city June 21, 1873. His early 
education was acquired in our city schools, he having graduated at the 
B.C.H.S with the class of '92. For the next two years he was on the city 
staff of the Republican, and in the fall of 1894 he entered Cornell law 
school, graduating in 1896. He then read law one year in the office of 
G. L. Sessions, and was admitted to the bar at Albany, November 8, 
1897. He has since practiced in this city. Mr. Gunnison is one of our 
brightest young lawyers, a splendid specimen of physical as well as 
mental manhood, and is rapidly winning an enviable standing in the 



384 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

ranks of the profession. His appointment to the office of referee in 
bankruptcy was a deserved recognition of his legal worth. He is also 
a Mason in excellent standing, and is now master of Otseningo Lodge 
No. 435. The law firm of Gunnison & Hickey was formed in Decem- 
ber, 1898. 

Thomas J. Keenan was born in New York city February 20, 1873. 
He was educated in the schools of the metropolis and also in the schools 
of Hornellsville, to which city he removed with his widowed mother. 
He then entered St. Bonaventure's college at Allegany and was gradu- 
ated in June, 1892. In September following, Mr. Keenan began read- 
ing law with Senator Edmund O'Connor and became the managing 
clerk of his offices and in July, 1897, was admitted to the bar. After 
admission to the bar his association with the senator continued until the 
latter's death in July, 1898. Though an ardent Republican, Mr. Keen- 
an devotes his time exclusively to the practice of his profession. On 
October 6, 1897, he was married to Matie G., daughter of John W. 
Kennedy. 

William H. Riley was born in Granville, Bradford county. Pa., De- 
cember 25, 1872. His early education was acquired in the Granville 
schools, but in August, 1888, he came to this city and entered the pub- 
lic schools ; and was graduated from the Binghamton Central High school 
with the class of *93. He read law with Wales & Wilbur, and was ad- 
mitted to practice in October, 1897. He remained in Mr. Wales' office 
until October 1, 1898, and then became junior partner in the present 
law firm of Wales & Riley. Politically Mr. Riley is a Democrat and 
takes an active interest in the affairs of the city and county. 

Charles Avery Hickey was born in Auburn, N. Y., June 29, 1874, 
and was educated at Williams and Princeton colleges, graduating at the 
latter in 189G. He read law with the late Senator Edmund O'Connor, 
and was admitted to practice in November, 1898. On December 1, of 
the year last mentioned, the law partnership of Gunnison & Hickey was 
formed. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 385 



CHAPTER XVIII. 
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 

The medical profession of Binghamton has preserved little of its 
own history. While there are few meagre records by which may 
be learned something of the proceedings and membership of the 
various medical societies which have been formed, there are no re- 
liable data upon which can be based a history of the origin and de- 
velopment of the profession from the time the first pioneer settled 
on the village site, about the beginning of the present century. 

The advance in all branches of science during the last century has 
indeed been marvelous, but in none has there been greater progress 
than the science of medicine and surgery. The dawning of this science 
which now sheds its light throughout the world began with Hippoc- 
rates, more than twenty-three hundred years ago. He wrote exten- 
sively and his works served as a foundation for the subsequent litera- 
ture of the profession. The greatest advances, however, in the science 
of medicine have been made during the last hundred years, and chiefly 
during the last half century. Among the hundreds of discoveries which 
have marked this period, mention may be made of one, the use of anes- 
thetics, which benumb the nerves of sensation and produce a profound 
but tranquil state of insensibility in which the patient sleeps and 
dreams, while the physician is left to the pleasing reflection that he is 
causing neither pain or suffering. 

But there is no department of medicine at the present time more 
promising of good results than sanitary science. While pathology and 
physiology are making known to us the nature and cause of disease and 
functions of the human body, sanitary science is steadily teaching us 
how the causes of disease may be removed or avoided, and health 
thereby secured. Progress during the coming hundred years, if only 
equal to that of the past, will more than have accomplished great works 
in the advancement of sanitary science; but the accomplishment of 
this work calls not only for the labor of the physician, but also for the 
intelligent co-operation of the people. Indeed, if anything really great 

25 



386 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

is to be done in this direction, and in preventing disease and death, it 
must largely be done by the people themselves. This iinpliesthat they 
must be instructed in sanitary science; must be taught what unsanitary 
conditions most favor the origin of disease, how disease is spread, and 
the means of its prevention. If it be true that that knowledge is of the 
greatest value to us which teaches the means of self-preservation, then 
the importance of a widespread knowledge of how to prevent disease 
and premature death cannot be overestimated. 

Settlement on the site of the present city was begun about 1800, and 
progressed slowly during the first quarter of a century of its history. 
The locality was favored with an excellent natural drainage system 
while the rivers carried away all surface accumulations. However, 
about 1850, after the Chenango canal and the Erie railroad were in 
operation, the village grew more rapidly, and the authorities began dis- 
cussing the question of sewers and pavements. Court street was paved 
(between Collier street and the Chenango river bridge) with cobble 
stones previous to 1840, but the work was not carried further until after 
the village became a city. In 1870 the city population numbered 12,- 
692 people, and about that time our sewer system was established, and 
at the same time the work of paving was begun on Court street. In 
later years the work was increased and carried forward with the growth 
of the city in all directions, and to-day we are as well situated from a 
sanitary point of view as any city in the east. Much of the credit for 
this improved sanitary condition may justly be given to the people, who 
have borne the expense thereof, yet the common council and the health 
commissioners have been important factors in bringing about the pres- 
ent results. 

Binghamton is now a city of approximately 50,000 inhabitants, and 
is as well provided with sanitary improvements as almost any munici- 
pality in the state. There is room, of course, for still greater strides in 
this direction, yet the work is steadily going forward, keeping even pace 
with the general municipal growth. 

Previous to the early years of the present century, the state of New 
York, unlike Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, had done very little to 
encourage science in any direction and there were no schools of medi- 
cine worthy of the name nearer than Philadelphia and Boston. Few 
young medical students could then afford to go so far to qualify them- 
selves for a profession which promised so little pecuniary reward, hence 
it was the custom of the period for the aspirant to enter the office of 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 387 

some practicing physician and read medicine two or three years, at the 
same time accompanying his tutor in his professional visits and thus 
learn his methods of practice. At the end of his term the young doc- 
tor would seek some promising field and begin practice. 

THE BROOME COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 
In 1806 the legislature passed an act repealing all former laws relat- 
ing to the practice of medicine in this state, and at the same time 
authorized the formation of a state medical society and also county so- 
cieties. The act itself was passed April 4, 1806, and just three months 
later the Broome County Medical society was brought into existence. 
The organization meeting was held at the court house, July 4, and 
there were present Drs. Phineas Bartholmew, Daniel A. Wheeler, 
Jonathan Gray, Ezra Seymour, Elihu Ely and Lewis Allen, all of whom 
were original members of the society. The officers were Daniel A. 
Wheeler, president; Ezra Seymour, vice-president; Elihu Ely, secre- 
tary; Chester Lusk, treasurer. At an adjourned meeting held at Will- 
iam Woodruff's tavern in Chenango Point on July 30, the organization 
was perfected and several new members were admitted. 

The Medical society is an institution of the county rather than of the 
city, yet for the purpose of a complete record it is proposed to furnish 
in this connection an alphabetical chronological list of its members from 
1806 to 1880, with the year of admission to the society. In 1880 the 
legislature passed an act providing for the registration of persons as- 
suming to practice medicine and surgery, which act was mandatory in 
its terms. Having access to the registration records in the Broome 
county clerk's office, an accurate list of names of physicians practicing 
in the city has been made, in view of which it is unnecessary to include 
in the list of members of the society the names of physicians admitted 
in years subsequent to 1880. 

The following list was originally prepared under the direction of Dr. 
John G. Orton, of this city, and through his suggestion it is reproduced 
in this chapter: 

Lewis Allen, 1806; John H. Arnold, 1829; Warren L. Ayer, 1869; 
A W. K. Andrews, 1871; J. D. Appley, 1877; S. P. Allen, 1867; 
Phineas Bartholmew, 1806; Samuel Barclay, 1806; Pelatiah B. Brooks, 
1823- Daniel Brainard, 1823; John Barney, 1829; Josiah Blackman, 
1830-, A. H. Bronson, 1829; Oliver T. Bundy, 1830; William Butler, 
1831- Dr. Bird, 1831; John D. Bancroft, 1831; George Burr, 1836; 



888 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT. 

Rufus Belden, 1838; Elam Bartlett, 1838; Dr. Berks, 1838; Elijah H. 
Barnes, 1838; H. M. Baldwin, 1841; James Brooks, 1842; George A. 
Barnes, 1842; Pelatiah Brooks. 1850; William Bassett, 1863; Martin 
Bullock, 1865; John W. Booth, 186G; W. S. Beebe, 1867; Dan S. Burr, 
1868; Walter A. Brooks, 1871; Charles W. Bowen, 1872; S. W. Badger, 
1874; Harvey F. Beardsley, 1875; Samuel Birdsall, 1876; F. P. Blair, 
1877; James Brooks, 1877; N. R. Barnes, 1873; Josiah T. Clark aad 
Dr. Cleveland, 1832; Alfred Cook, 1842; John Chubbuck, 1844; Roj-al 
R. Carr, 1848; Edwin G. Crafts, 1858; Daniel J. Chittenden, 1862 
Charles Carter, 1863; Joseph fl. Chittenden, 1865; J. Cooley, 1871 
Apollos Comstock, 1874; B M. J. Conlin, 1876; De Witt Clark, 1878 
Henry A. Carr, 1879; Ammi Doubleday, 1823; Nathan S. Davis, 1837 
Wm. H. Day, 1848; Ezekiel Daniels, 1855; Gregory Doyle, 1864; D. 

C. Doolittle, 1865; Albert Day, 1868; Charles Dickinson, 1870; Dwight 
Dudley, 1874; W. E. Douglass and E. N. Dutcher, 1876; Elihu Ely, 
1806; Edwin Eldridge, 1841; Isaac C. Edson, 1866; Henry Oliver Ely, 
1867; Charles G. Esterbrook, 1874; Charles C. Edwards, 1875; S. H. 
French, 1834; Lucius French, 1854; E. I. Ford, 1862; S. H. French, 2d, 
1864; Samuel B. Foster, 1864; James W. Freeman, 1865; Jonathan 
Gray, 1806; John G. Orton, 1829; Horace S. Griswold, 1833; W. S. 
Griswold, 1846; Ezekiel Guy, 1865; Lansing Griffin and H. D. Gilbert, 
1866; R. T. Gates, 1870; Charles W. Greene, 1873; Jesse Hotchkiss, 
1806; Samuel M. Hunt, 1829; D. Hall, 1831; John Hall, 1832; Stephen 

D. Hand, 1835; Harry Hemingway, 1838; B. S. Hanford, 1810; Jesse 
T. Hotchkiss, 1843; Dr. Hendricks, 1852; S. M. Hand, 1851; S. H. 
Harrington, 1855; Carlton R. Heaton, 1864; B. F. Holcomb, 1866; 
John Hill, 1868; Patrick H. Hayes, 1870; Henry Hall, 1871; O. C. Hall, 
1876; F. M. Hays, 1878; Thomas Jackson, 1829; David Post Jackson, 
1865; George H. Jones, 1875; J. Humphrey Johnson, 1879; John H. 
Knapp, 1843; Benj. Kenyon and Wm. S. Knox, 1872; Chester Lusk, 
1806; Eleazer Lyman, 1838; George Little, 1855; Ezra Lawyer, 1870; 
J. G. Lang, 1871; F.D.Lamb, 1876; Levi Maxwell, ]829; Henry 
Monroe, 1830; Dr. McElran, 1832; Thaddeus Mather, 1841; Isaac D. 
Meacham and H. B. Mabin, 1855; John Munsell, jr , 1865; Franklin T. 
Maybury, 1866; John Maroney, 1876; Edward Mulheron, 1877; Daniel 
Nash, 1829; Oliver P. Newell, 1829; Wm. H. Niles, 1852; John Gay 
Orton, 1854; William J. Orton, 1863; Peter Payne, 1829; Wm. Purin- 
ton, 1830; William Peabody, 1834; John Plant, 1846; George E. Pierson, 
1870; Frederick W. Putnam, 1880; Tracy Robinson, 1823; Edmund H. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 389 

Robinson, 1820 ; Edmund Robillard, 1850; Charles B. Richards, 186fi; Cor- 
nelius R. Rogers, 1868; G. S. Redfield, 1869; Ezra vSeymour, 1806; Jonas 
Sawtelle, 1829; Gaines L. Spencer and L. F. Starkey, 1829; Luke Shep- 
ard, 1830; Henry Sayles, 1833; John Sullivan, 1837; Loren Salisbury, 
1845; Dr. Shutts, 1845; H. D. Spencer, 1858; Charles J. Seymour, 1862; 
A. L. Sweet, 1866; Frank Sturdevant, 1870; Cyrenius D. Spencer, 1871; 
W. E.Stephenson, 1871; A. B. Stillson, 1876; ThaddeusThompson, 1806; 
Asahel Todd, 1812; Wm. Thompson, 1812; Frank A. Taylor, 1869; 
Susan J. Tabor, 1874; Wm. Voorhees, 1863; John L. Van Alstyne, 
1874; Daniel A. Wheeler, 1806; Thomas Woodbury, 1823; Silas West, 
1823; Reuben Winston, 1830; J. Woodbury, 1830; George Wattles, 
1833; Robert L. Woodruff, 1834; Amos Witherill, 1834; Charles O. 
Waters, 1842; Charles E. Washburn, 1849; Henry S. West, 1850; 
Thomas Webb, 1850; P. M. Way, 1858; W. W. Whitney, 1865; Lin- 
naeus D. Witherill, 1868; Emily H. Wells, 1875; Joseph Whitney, 1880; 
O. J. Wilsey, 1880; George B. Young, 1865. 

In this connection it is also interesting to note the succession of pres- 
idents and secretaries of this pioneer society of the county: 

Presidents.— \^3Xi\%\ A. Wheeler, 1806-12; Chester Lusk, 1812-23; 
Tracy Robinson, 1823-36; Pelatiah B. Brooks, 1836-38; Silas West, 
1838-39; O. T. Bundy, 1839-40; Stephen D. Hand, 1840-42; Salphro- 
nius H. French, 1842-44; George Burr, 1844-45; A. P. Bronson, 1845- 
46; Pelatiah B. Brooks, 1846-49; Samuel M. Hunt, 1849-50; S. H. 
French, 1850-51; Thomas Jackson, 1851-52; S. H. French, 1852-54; 
George Burr, 1854-56; John G. Orton, 1856-57; Ezekiel Daniels, 1857- 
58; S. H. Harrington, 1858-59; Edwin G. Crafts, 1859-60; P. M. Way, 
1860-61 ; W. S. Griswold, 1861-62; L D. Meacham, 1862-63; Wm. Voor- 
hees, 1863-64; Wm. Ba sett, 1864-65; George Burr, 1865-66; Lansing 
Griffin, 1866-67; Carlton R. Heaton, 1867-68; S. H. French, 2d, 1868- 
69; Joseph H. Chittenden, 1869-70; Isaac C. Edson, 1870-71; James 
Brooks, 1871-72; Cornelius R. Rogers, 1872-73; A. W. K. Andrews, 
1873-74; H. C. Hall, 1874-75; L. D. Witherell, 1875-76; Walter Brooks, 
1876-77; S. P. Allen, 1877-78; Charles G. Esterbrook, 1878-79; C. W. 
Greene, 1879-80; A. F. Taylor, 1880-81; Charles B. Richards, 1881-82; 
Dwight Dudley, 1882-83; Dan S. Burr, 1883-84; John W. Booth, 1884- 
85; Frederick W. Putnam, 1885-86; S. F. McFarland, 1886-87; Harvey 
F. Beardsley, 1887-88; David Post Jackson, 1888-89; John M. Farring- 
ton, 1889-90; William A. Moore, 1890-91; E. A. Pierce, 1891-92; R.W. 
Seymour, 1892-93; LeRoy D. Farnham, 1893-94; Edward L. Smith, 



390 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

1894-95; Charles G. Wagner, 1895-90; BarnaE. Radeker, 1896-97; Ira 
A. Hix, 1897-98; Frank W. Sears, 1898-99; Jack Killen, 1899-. 

Secretaries.— Elihu Ely, 1806-23; Ammi Doubleday, 1823-30; Daniel 
Nash, 1830-31; Lewis F. Starkey, 1831-32; Josiah Blackman, 1832-37; 
Stephen D. Hand, 1837-38; Nathan S. Davis, 1838-42; H. M. Baldwin, 
1842; Georg-e Burr, 1842-44; James Brooks, 1844-45; N. S. Davis, 
1845-49; C.E.Washburn, 1849-51; W. S. Griswold, 1851-54; Henry 
S. West, 1854-57; Pelatiah Brooks, 1857-63; John G. Orion, 1863-79; 
Joseph H. Chittenden, 1879-84; G. S. Redfield, 1884-85; Dan S. Burr, 
1885-89; Le Roy D. Farnham, 1889-91; John Leverett, 1891-1900. 

BINGHAMTON ACADEMY OF MEDICINE. 

The Binghamton Academy of Medicine was incorporated November 
10, 1897, but the society dates its organization back to 1854, when an 
association of village physicians was formed for the advancement of 
the science of medicine, the promotion of the character and honor of 
the profession, the elevation of the standard of the members, and the 
strengthening of the bonds of unity by affording opportunities for 
social intercourse among members of the medical profession. The 
preliminary meeting which resulted in a permanent organization was 
held July 22, 1854, with Dr. Silas West chairman, and Dr. Pelatiah 
Brooks, secretary. 

The founders and original fellows of the academy were Drs. Silas 
West, George Burr, Henry S, West, John G. Orton, Stephen D. Hand, 
and Pelatiah Brooks, of Binghamton, and George Stebbins Little, of 
Kirkwood. Of these original fellows Dr. Orton alone survives. He 
was the first permanent secretary of the academy and served in that 
capacity for many years. Indeed, in later years, when interest in the 
affairs of the organization seemed to flag, his influence and almost un- 
aided effort kept the society from dissolution. However, during the 
long term of its history, there have been periods in which no meetings 
were held, and the organization apparently ceased to exist ; but as often 
was there a revival of interest until at last the academy was established 
on a firm basis and became one of the permanent institutions of the city. 
From 1858 to 1804, just preceding and during the civil war, no meet- 
ings were held; and again, from 1806 to 1889 the academy was in a 
state of "suspended animation" (to use the professional expression) 
so far as the records disclose the proceedings of meetings. 

The academy was incorporated November 10, 1897, the corporators 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 391 

being- Drs. John G. Orton. F. P. Hough, Joseph H. Chittenden, W. H. 
Knapp, H. W. Brown, L. D. Farnham, John M. Farrington, Lyman 
H. Hills, Jack Killen, Ira A. Hix, R. R. Daly, S. F. McFarland, W. S. 
Overton, F. M. Michael, E. L. Smith, F. W. Sears, W. A. Moore, F. 
L. Forker, C. W. Greene and L. H. Quackenbush. The first directors 
were Drs. Orton, Chittenden, Farnham, Farrington and Greene. 

In professional circles in the city the Academy of Medicine has ac- 
complished an important work and is regarded as of greater value to its 
fellows than the County Medical society, as meetings are held more 
frequently and the opportunities for exchange of opinions on profes- 
sional subjects are more easily obtained. 

The names of the founders of the academy are given in a precedino- 
paragraph, wherefore it is proper that the entire membership also be 
furnished, together with the year (when known) in which each mem- 
ber was admitted to fellowship. As shown by the records, the academy 
roll of the fellows is as follows: 

August 12, 1854, Silas West, George Burr, Henry West, John G. Or- 
ton, Stephen D. Hand, Pelatiah Brooks, George S. Little; September, 
1854, John Chubbuck, Thomas Webb; October, 1854, Thomas Jack- 
son; November, 1854, W. S. Griswold, P. B. Brooks; April, 1858, Ed- 
win G. Crafts; March, 1864, William Bassett, William J. Orton; 1865, 
Franklin T. Maybury, Joseph H. Chittenden, Lansing Grififin, James 
Brooks, Warren L. Ayer, David Post Jackson; 1866, Charles B. Rich- 
ards, Charles J. Seymour; 1870, Dan S. Burr; 1889, W. F. Race, W. 
H. Knapp, L. D. Farnham, Charles D. Rogers, C. G. Olmsted, W. A. 
Moore, John M. Farrington, James Ross, S. F. McFarland, Thomas B. 
Flagler, E. A. Pierce, F. W. Putnam, J. C. Comstock, F. E. Slater, J. 

F. Pratt, E. L. Bennett, H. F. Beardsley; 1891, John F. Place, Charles 
W. Ingraham, Edward L. Smith, Harris C. Rodgers, Charles W. Tif- 
fany; 1892, John Leverett; 1893, F. P. Hough, F. M. Michaels, C. E. 
Webster, Richard R. Daly; 1894, Ira A. Hix, William P. Miles, Wm. 

A. White, L. H. Hills, S. Walter Dodson, Charles G. Wagner, J. W. 
Jansen, C. W. Greene, C. C. Eastman; 1895, L. H. Quackenbush, T. 

B. Van Alstyne; 1896, Frank W. Sears, Dorr W. Hardy, H. W. Brown, 
W. S. Overton, A. W. Cutler, Henry C. Peck, S. P. Allen; 1897, Chas. 

G. Cole; 1898, Isabelle H. Stanley, E. N. Christopher, Charles. P. 
Roberts, Dwight E. Cone, Edward Gillespie, W. E. Ard, George J. 
West. 

The officers of the academy have been as follows: 



392 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Presidents. — Silas Webb, 1854; George Burr, 1855; Pelatiah B.Brooks, 
185G; Henry S. West, 1857; E. G. Crafts, 1864; George Burr, 1865-69; 
John G. Orton, 1889-91; F. P. Hough, 1892; J. M. Farrington, 1893; 
W. H. Knapp, 1894; F. L. Forker, 1895; W. A. Moore, 1896; C. W. 
Greene, 1897; Lyman H. Hills, 1898; R. R. Daly, 1899. 

Vice-Presidents. — George S. Little, 1854; W. S. Griswold, 1855; 
Henry S. West, 1856; Thomas Webb, 1857; Wm. Bassett, 1864; Greg- 
ory Doyle, 1865; Joseph H. Chittenden, 1889-91; H. F. Beardsley, 
1892; C. C. Eastman, 1893; F. L. Forker, 1894; W. A. Moore, 1895; 
C. W. Greene, 1896; Lyman H. Hills, 1897; Richard R. Daly, 1898; 
W. A. White, 1899. 

Secretaries.— ]o\inG. Orton, 1854-65; L. D. Farnham, 1889-91; E. 
L. Smith, 1892; J. F. Pratt, 1893-95; J. M. Fa-rington, 1896-98; J. F. 
Pratt, 1899. 

Treasurers. — Stephen D. Hand, 1854; Henry S. West, 1855; Thomas 
Webb, 1856; Pelatiah Brooks, 1857; W. A. Moore, 1889-91; H. C. 
Rodgers, 1892; John Leverett, 1893-95; F. P. Hough, 1896-98; R. C. 
Irving, 1899. 

HOMOEOPATHY. 

A learned writer has said : All advancement comes through persecu- 
tion; and "no cross, no crown," is applicable to science as well as to 
religion. Christianity itself surged through blood and fire to attain its 
mighty power. So, too, the medical world has been subject to convul- 
sion from the earliest ages. Homoeopathy sprung into existence some- 
thing more than a century ago, discarded the settled rules of practice 
and asserted its claims to the world. Its distinguishing characteristics, 
then as now, consist in the employment of medicaments agreeable to 
the principles denoted by its name, ^^ siinilia siniilibus ciirantiir," or 
" like cures like." 

The principle first rendered into practical science by Hahnemaan, 
the founder of the homoeopathic school, dates far back of his time, and 
was even glanced at by Hippocrates; but it remained for Hahnemann 
to propound the startling dogma in 1790, while engaged in translating 
Cullin's Materia Medica from English into German. The new school 
passed through many wonderful and prolonged tests, trials and opposi- 
tion, and was eventually legalized in Bohemia in 1821 ; America in 1825 ; 
Russia in 1833; Austria in 1837; Prussia in 1843; England in 1858, and 
to-day is recognized throughout the world. There are hardly more 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 393 

than twenty-five homoeopathic physicians in Broome county, and most 
of these are centered in the city. 

The Broome County Homoeopathic Medical society was organized 
February 4, 1863, and from that to the present time has main- 
tained a continued existence, although, unfortunately, no record of the 
earlier membership and proceedings is now to be found. Indeed, all 
records of the society previous to 1888 appear to have been lost and the 
most diligent inquiry has failed to reveal any trace of their whereabouts. 
The partial list of early officers which accompanies this chapter was se- 
cured only by access to the reports of the state society; and through 
the same source it was learned that the organization was effected in 
1863, and also that the membership then comprised Drs. Stephen D. 
Hand, Titus L. Brown, Ira W. Peabody, William C. Doane, Thomas 
P. Knapp, Stoddard Pratt, H. C. Champlin (of Owego) and J. D. Vail 
(of Montrose.) 

In 1888 the society was practically reorganized, and is now incorpo- 
rated under the laws of the state. The succession of officers from 1863 
to 1875, and from 1888 to the present time, are furnished in this chap- 
ter, but for the reasons mentioned the officiary for other years cannot 
be given. The present members of the society are Drs. George F, 
Hand, Edward E. Snyder, John T. Greenleaf, C. N. Guy, Elizabeth 
Corwin, D. H. McGraw, George H. Jenkins, Charles A. Ward, Charles 
S. Winters, De Witt P. Bailey, A. W. Stoutenberg, Alice F. Mills, 
Lynn A. Martin, Willis H. Proctor, Louis D. Hyde, J. Bonnar Bates, 
Joseph F. Roe and William F. Ward. 

The officers of the society, so far as known, have been as follows: 

Preside7its.—'$>\.e^'hen D. Hand, 1863-75; Lynn A. Martin, 1888; John 
T. Greenleaf, 1889; Willis H. Proctor, 1890; M. T. Dutcher, 1891; 
C. A. Ward, 1892; D. H. McGraw, 1893; H. D. Baldwin, 1894; Charles 
T. Haines, 1895; George H. Jenkins, 1896; De Witt P. Bailey, 1897-98; 
Edward E. Snyder, 1899. 

Vice-Presidents.— Yiemy S. Sloan, 1863-74; Willis H. Proctor, 1888- 
89; Elizabeth Corwin, 1890; Charles A. Ward, 1891; D. H. McGraw, 
1892; H. D. Baldwin, 1893; C. T. Haines, 1894; Albert F. Merrill, 
1895; De Witt P. Bailey, 1896; C. W. Adams, 1897; Lynn A. Martin, 
1898; A. F. Merrill, 1899. 

Second Vice-Presidents. — (First elected in 1890). D. H. McGraw, 
1890; Alice F. Millspaugh, 1891; C. S. Winters, 1892; C. T. Haines, 
1893; George H. Jenkins, 1894-95; C. W. Adams, 1896; Lynn A. Mar- 
tin, 1897; A. W. Stoutenburg, 1898; Joseph F. Roe, 1899. 



394 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

Secretaries and Treasurers. — (Offices combined). Titus L. Brown, 
1863-74; D. H. McGraw, 1888-89; C. T. Haines, 1890; G. H. Jenkins, 
1891; De Witt P. Bailey, 1892; C. S. Winters. 1893; C. W. Adams, 
1894-95; Kate C. Fiske, 1896; A. W. Stoutenburg, 1897-98; William F. 
Ward, 1899. 

The Binghamton Homoeopathic Medical society was organized April 
14, 1888, and was intended for the especial benefit of homoeopathic 
physicians practicing in this city, but within the next two years after 
the organization was completed the society merged in the county so- 
ciety. The original members and prime spirits of the organization 
were Drs. George F. Hand, Henry S. Sloan, Titus L. Brown, A. J. 
Clark, C. P. Chamberlain, Edward E. Snyder, A. L. Snj^der, H. D. 
Baldwin and Willis H. Proctor. The officers in 1880-8 L were Edward 
E. Snyder, president; Willis H. Proctor, vice-president; A. J. Clark, 
secretary. In 1883 Henry S. Sloan was elected president, and C. F. 
Millspaugh, secretary. In 1883 Dr. Titus L. Brown succeeded to the 
presidency, and Dr. Millspaugh was re-elected secretary. 

Having in this manner recalled the history of the medical profession 
and its representatives in the county, and having referred at some 
length to the several medical societies which have been formed from 
time to time, it is proper that at least a brief mention be made of the 
personnel of the profession at the present time. In the early years of 
the present century the physicians of the state either did not possess 
any political power, or if so possessed had no knowledge of the fact ; 
but during the last score of years the profession has wielded a remark- 
able power in state politics, and has surrounded the practice with 
such safeguards that unlicensed practitioners and medical charlatans 
have but a feeble hold on the public confidence. The latest appeal to 
the credulity of the masses of the people is an invention to heal the un- 
fortunate siclc, and is known as "the faith cure; " but the persons seek- 
ing to popularize this means of cure are either deceived themselves or 
are deceiving others. 

One of the most praisworthy legislative enactments for the benefit of 
the medical profession in this state was that passed in 1880, commonly 
known as the " Registration Act," by which each practicing physician 
was (and still is) required to make and file with the county clerk of the 
county in which he proposed to practice, a certificate or affidavit, stat- 
ing his full name and address, place of birth, the authority by which 
he claimed the right to practice physic or surgery in the state, and the 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 395 

name of the medical institution from which he was graduated, and the 
date of graduation. This law was compulsory, and in accordance with 
its provisions, and the acts amendatory thereof and supplemental there- 
to, there has been a very general compliance with its provisions on the 
part of physicians proposing to practice in the county; and the county 
and city medical societies have made it their special and proper busi- 
ness to see that violations of the laws are not permitted. 

Having recourse to the registration records in the county clerk's 
office, the writer is enabled to furnish a brief and concise history of 
each physician, of whatever school, in the city since the passage of the 
act of 1880. If there be others, whose names are not registered, they 
are practicing without authority and are amenable to the law. Ex- 
tracting briefly from the records mentioned, the personnel of the pro- 
fession in the city during the last score of years is shown by the ap- 
pended list. The data furnished shows the name, place of birth, date 
of diploma or certificate, and the institution from which the physician 
was graduated. The names are arranged in the order of registration: 

George Burr, born Meredith, Delaware county; diploma December 
2, 1835, Berkshire Medical institution, Pittsfield, Mass. 

John G. Orton, born Seneca Falls; diploma March 5, 1853, medical 
department University of New York. 

John L. Van Alstyne, born Richmondville, N. Y. ; diploma Decem- 
ber 23, 1862, Albany Medical college. 

Joseph H. Chittenden, born Greene, N. Y. ; diploma March, 1864, 
Bellevue Medical college. New York. 

William Bassett, born London, England; diploma November 3, 1841, 
Massachusetts Berkshire Medical college. 

Charles C. Edwards, born Harford, Pa. ; diploma March 11, 1849, 
Jefferson Medical college, Philadelphia. 

P. Harold Hayes, born Clinton, Ind. ; diploma March 28, 1848, Jef- 
ferson Medical college, Philadelphia. 

Henry Adams Carr, born Chenango Forks; diploma February 18, 
1879, University of State of New York, 

Abiel W. K. Andrews, born Warren, Me. ; diploma March 30, 1865, 
medical department University of Michigan, 

Emily H. Wells, born Towanda, Pa. ; diploma March 25, 1873, Woman's 
Medical college of the New York Infirmary, 

Henry Oliver Ely, born Binghamton; diploma 1867, College of Phy- 
sicians, New York. 



396 BINGHAMTON ITS SETTLEMENT. 

William S. Knox, born Knoxboro; diploma June 23, 1880, Long 
Island Medical college. 

Harvey F. Beardsley, born Richfield, N.Y. ; license 1875 from Broome 
County Medical society. 

Caroline Parker Chamberlain, born Choconut, Pa. ; diploma Novem- 
ber 25, 1874, Eclectic Medical college. New York city. 

Caroline Parker Chamberlain, born Maine, N,Y. ; diploma April 9, 
1877, Woman's Medical college and hospital, New York city. 

James C. Beach, born Sandy Hill, N Y. ; diploma June 24, 1877. Long 
Island college hospital. 

John W. Cobb, born Middletown, N.Y. ; diploma December 28, 1858, 
Albany Medical college. 

Washington W. Wheaton, born Jackson, Pa. ; diploma June 5, 1850, 
Central Medical college, Rochester, N. Y. 

Clark W. Greene, born Willett, N.Y. ; diploma March 1, 1873, Belle- 
vue Hospital Medical college. 

Benjamin F. Beardsley, born Gilbertsville, N.Y. ; diploma February 
21, 1865, medical department University of Buffalo. 

J. Humphrey Johnson, born Binghamton ; diploma February 12, 1879, 
medical department University of City of New York. 

S. Andral Kilmer, born Cobleskill, N. Y. ; diploma January 21, 1875, 
Bennett Eclectic college, Chicago. 

Frederick W. Putnam, born Truxton, N. Y. ; diploma February 17, 
1880; medical department University of City of New York. 

David L. Ross, born Newport, R. I. ; diploma January 2, 1872, Rush 
Medical college, Chicago, 111. 

A. Judson Osborn, born Colesville; diploma June 27, 1878, Long 
Island College hospital. 

George Jacob West, born Syracuse; diploma February 2, 1880, Belle- 
vue Hospital Medical college. 

Daniel Swift Burr, born Binghamton; diploma January 21, 18G8, 
Geneva Medical college. 

Frank D. Gridley, born Guilford, N. Y, ; diploma February 21, 18G6, 
Philadelphia university and certificate of National Eclectic association, 
and license of New York State Eclectic Medical society. 

Lester D. Stone, born Gorham, Ontario; diploma 1854, Metropolitan 
Medical college. New York. 

George A. Thayer, born Cooperstown ; diploma May 18, 1859, Berk- 
shire Medical college, Pittsfield, Mass. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 397 

Cyrenius D. Spencer, born Triangle; diploma November 20, 1849 
Berkshire Medical college, Pittsfield, Mass. 

Edward I. Ford, born Newark Valley; diploma March 23, 1860, Col- 
lege of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. 

Annie L. Snyder, born Southboro, Mass. ; diploma April 4, 1878, New 
York Medical College for Women. 

Charles B. Richards, born Union, N. Y. ; diploma March 2, 1852, 
Cleveland Medical college, Cleveland, Ohio. 

A. Eugene Magoris, born New York city; diploma June 23, 1880, 
Long Island Hospital Medical college. 

David Post Jackson, born Montrose, Pa. ; diploma March 9, 1865, 
College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. 

F. M. Hayes, born Wyoming, N, Y. ; diploma February 27, 1877, 
University Medical College of New York. 

C. H. Yelvington, born Greene, N. Y. ; diploma January 14, 1877, 
Eclectic Medical College of New York. 

Walter A. Brooks, born Great Bend, Pa. ; diploma March 1, 1871, 
medical department Columbia college. 

E. R. Young, born Bingham ton; diploma February 2, 1880, Bellevue 
Hospital Medical college. 

Lansing Griffin, born Westerlo, N. Y. ; diploma December 22, 1857, 
Albany Medical college. 

Edward G. Crafts, born Cherry Valley, N. Y. ; diploma June 2, 1852, 
Geneva Medical college. 

Edward Mulheron, born Ireland; diploma February, 1872, Univer- 
sity of Buffalo. 

Apollos Comstock, born Fairfield county. Conn. ; diploma February 
27, 1873, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city. 

Timothy Guy, born Guilford, N. Y. ; diploma November 4, 1857, 
University of City of New York. 

H. Irving Van Hoesen, born Preble, N. Y. ; diploma June 9, 1881, 
Syracuse university. 

Alfred J. Butterfield, born Lapeer, N. Y. ; diploma June 1, 1875, 
Philadelphia University of Medicine, and Eclectic Medical institute of 
Cincinnati, Ohio. 

William D. Hoffman, born Huntington, Pa. ; diploma February 20, 
1860, Iowa State Medical college. 

Clinton B. Allen, born Newfoundland, N. J. ; diploma February. 1881, 
University of City of New York. 



398 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Mary A. Allen, born Delta, Ohio; diploma March 24, 1875, Univer- 
sity of Michigan. 

Charles McDonald, born Columbia, S. C. ; diploma 1869, University 
of New York. 

G. A. Westfall, born Milford, Pa. ; diploma February 25, 1879, Uni- 
versity of Buffalo. 

J. P. Marsh, born New York; diploma May 17, 1877, Eclectic Medi- 
cal college, St. Louis, Mo. 

Alfred J. Inloes, born Baltimore, Md. ; diploma February 22, 1869, 
Washington University of Medicine, of Baltimore. 

Arthur Osborn, born Spencer, N. Y. ; diploma June 14, 1883, Uni- 
versity of Michigan. 

N Rounds Barnes, born McDonough, N. Y. ; diploma December 28, 
1858, Albany Medical college. 

William A. Dwinnelle, born Tully, N. Y. ; diploma March, 1881. 
Bellevue Medical college. 

John F. Connelly, born Binghamton; diploma February 26, 1884, 
University of Buffalo. 

William F. Race, born Binghamton; diploma March 11, 1884, Uni- 
versity City of New York. 

George S. Redfield, born Stamford, N, Y. ; diploma June 1852, Gene- 
va Medical college. 

Alfred Van Horn, born Summer Hill, Pa. ; diploma May 1, 1884, Uni- 
versity of Pennsylvania. 

Edward Allen Pierce, born Truxton, N. Y. ; diploma March 10, 1885, 
University of the City of New York. 

James Clinton Comstock, born Windsor, N. Y. ; diploma May 13, 
1884, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. 

J. Frank Pratt, born Chautauqua, N. Y. ; diploma February 27, 1878, 
Buffalo Medical college. 

Le Roy D. Farnham, born Tioga, N. Y. ; diploma March 1, 1880, 
College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York city. 

M. Harris Kirby, born Nichols, N. Y. ; diploma March 12, 1884, Uni- 
versity of City of New York. 

Frederick L. Forker, born Vestal; diploma March 10, 1885, Univer- 
sity Medical College of New York. 

Edgar B. Bullis, born Moriah, N. Y. ; diploma March 4, 1884, Iowa 
College of Physicians and Surgeons. 

Lyman H. Hills, born Madison county; diploma March 5, 1863, med- 
ical department University of New York. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 399 

George A. Thayer, born Binghamton ; license May 2, 1888, Broome 
County Eclectic Medical society. 

Frederick Osborn Lloyd, born Salisbury, N. Y. ; diploma March 11, 
1885, University City of New York. 

Albert M. Williams, born Chagrin Falls, Ohio; diploma March 4, 
1867, University of Pennsylvania. 

James Ross, born Glasgow, Scotland; diploma October 21, 1880, 
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Scotland. 

William A. Moore, born Binghamton; diploma May 12, 1885, College 
of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. 

Charles Darius Rogers, born Troy, N. Y. ; diploma March 15, 1888, 
Albany Medical college. 

Thomas B. Flagler, born Dutchess county; diploma June 13, 1854, 
Albany Medical college. 

Edward L. Johnson, born Lisle, N. Y, ; diploma March 10, 1885, Uni- 
versity City of New York. 

Michael G. Cunningham, born Little Meadows; diploma September 
26, 1882, College Physicians and Surgeons, New York. 

Daniel William Collins, born Binghamton; diploma May 10, 1878, 
College Physicians and Surgeons, New York, 

Frank E. Slater, born Triangle; diploma March 12, 1889, University 
Medical College of_New York City. 

Earnest A. Hancock, born Indianapolis, Ind. ; diploma March 26, 
1889, Bennett Eclectic Medical college, Chicago. 

Nathaniel Love, born Albany; diploma March 4, 1889, medical de- 
partment University City of New York. 

Louis R. Pierce, born Vestal; diploma March 4, 1887, Long Island 
College hospital. 

John W. Carroll, born Deposit; diploma March 26, 1889, Bennett 
Eclectic Medical college, Chicago. 

Jesse W. Jansen, born Ithaca; diploma March, 1886, University City 
of New York. 

Frank P. Hough, born Lake Winola, Pa. ; diploma March 29, 1884, 
Jefferson Medical college, Philadelphia. 

Jean E. Brooks, born Maine, N. Y, ; diploma June 13, 1888, Hospital 
College of Medicine, Louisville, Ky. 

Carl B. Smith, born Binghamton ; diploma February 20, 1880, Uni- 
versity of Buffalo. 

John W. King, born Hellerstown, Pa. ; diploma April 3, 1889, Jeffer- 
son Medical college, Pennsylvania. 



400 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

William R. Sitler, born Cambridgeboro, Pa. ; diploma March 12, 1875, 
University of Pennsylvania. 

John Hunting- Cobb, born Montrose, Pa.; diploma April 1, 1891, Al- 
bany Medical college. 

Charles W. Ingraham, born Binghamton; diploma June 11, 1891, Uni- 
versity City of New York. 

George F. Johnson, born Sussex, New Brunswick; diploma March 10, 
1872, medical department University of New York. 

F. de L. Mandeville, born Louisville, Ky. ; diploma February 10, 1877, 
Albany Medical college. 

Nelson D. Haskell, born New York; diploma July 29, 1891, Univer- 
sity of Wooster, Ohio. 

Charles W. Tiffany, born Harford, Pa. ; diploma March 8, 1881, Uni- 
versity City of New York. 

John L. Barrett, born Ireland; diploma March 9, 1887, Toledo Med- 
ical college, Ohio. 

Charles W. Carpenter, born Factoryville, Pa. ; diploma March 1880, 
Bellevue Hospital Medical college. 

Charles R. Seymour, born Albany, N. Y. ; April 27, 1892, Albany 
Medical college. 

Ira Adelbert Hix, born Jefferson, N. Y. ; diploma March 13, 1883, 
University of State of New York. 

William Percy Miles, born New York city; diploma March 23, 1892, 
Long Island College hospital. 

E. Gertrude Crumb, born Watkins, N. Y. ; diploma from Woman's 
Medical College of New York Infirmary. 

John Leverett, born New York city; diploma June 10, 1801, Col- 
lege of Physicians and Surgeons, of New York. 

Francis Moreley Michael, born Oshana, Canada; diploma April 1, 
1891, Bellevue Hospital Medical college. 

William S. Overton, born Sag Harbor, N. Y. ; diploma from Long 
Island College hospital. 

John F. Place, born Guilford, N. Y. ; diploma March 29, 1874, Uni- 
versity of Michigan. 

O. Dodge Phelps, born Elba, N. Y. ; diploma March 6, 1880, U. S. 
Medical college. New York city. 

Harris Crocker Rodgers, born Binghamton; diploma June 13, 1889, 
College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. 

W. O. Smith, born Chambersburg, Pa. ; diploma from University of 
Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 401 

Edward L. Smith, born Binghamton; diploma March 11, 1889, Belle- 
vue Hospital Medical college. 

Reuben L. Smith, born Tompkins county; certified from Tompkins 
county, registered 1893. 

Marshall E. Smith, born Pittsfield, Mass. ; diploma November 22, 
1891, Dartmouth Medical college. 

Eugenia E. Van Namee, born Newburg, N. Y. ; diploma certified 
from New York city, March 27, 1886. 

Orville J. Wilsey, born Otego, N. Y. ; diploma from University City 
of New York. 

Alvin C. Woodley, born Waterford, Canada; diploma 1880 from Trin- 
ity college, Canada. 

William E. Ard, born Westfield, N. Y. ; diploma April 1, 1891, Uni- 
versity of Maryland. 

Charles H. W. Bode, born Germany ; diploma July 2, 1877, Univer- 
sity of Wursburg, Germany. 

Henry W. Brown, born Grafton, Mass. ; diploma March 21, 1889, Al- 
bany Medical college. 

Menzo Barkman, born Schoharie county; diploma February 1, 1875, 
Albany Medical college. 

John H. Brush, born Greenfield, N. Y. ; diploma March 5, 1885, Col- 
lege of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. 

Ira R. Ballou, born Dayton, Ohio; diploma April 15, 1895, Syracuse 
university. 

Julius Aloysius Boyle, born Ottawa, 111. ; licensed July 7, 1898, 
University of New York. 

Arthur W. Curtis, born Binghamton ; licensed July 7, 1896, Univer- 
sity of New York, State Board of Medical Examiners. 

Charles Gray Cole, born East Durham, N. Y. ; diploma March 15, 

1876, University of City of New York. 

H. Warner Eggleston, born Carlo, 111. ; diploma July 8, 1895, Uni- 
versity of Vermont. 

H. Sinclair Hutchinson, born Portsmouth, N. H. ; diploma October 
9, 1894, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city. 

Dorr W. Hardy, born Otsego county; license February 14, 1896, 
State Board of Medical Examiners. 

Rowland Clark Irving, born Kortright, N. Y. ; diploma March 1, 

1877, Bellevue Hospital Medical college. 

26 



402 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

William John Killen, born Montgomery county ; diploma March 14, 
1887, Belle vue Hospital Medical college. 

Jesse B. Low, born Pulaski, N. Y. ; diploma June 9, 1881, Howard 
university, Washington, D. C. 

Robert J. Lounsberry, born Smithboro, N. Y. ; diploma March 13, 
1889, University Medical college, of New York. 

Daniel L. McNamara, born Adrian, N. Y. ; diploma March 9, 1882, 
University of New York. 

George Mason McComb, born Lyme, N. Y. ; diploma March 1, 1877, 
Bellevue Hospital Medical college. 

Francis M. McKnight, born Syracuse; license June 8, 189G, Univer- 
sity State of New York. 

Lester H. Quackenbush, born Davenport, N. Y. ; diploma March 12, 

1889, University of City of New York. 

Arthur Peale Summers, born Philadelphia, Pa. ; diploma April 4, 

1890, University of City of New York. 

Frank Walker Sears, born Binghamton; diploma July 6, 1895, Uni- 
versity of State of New York. 

Samuel Lord Smith, born Taylor, N. Y. ; diploma March 1, 1882, 
University of Iowa. 

Arthur Peter Shellman, born Davenport, N. Y. ; license July 10, 1884, 
University of State of New York. 

Isabelle H. Stanley, born England; diploma February 27, 1883, Buf- 
falo Medical university. 

J. Wesley Sheffield, born St. Johnsville, N. Y. ; diploma March 3, 
188G, Albamy Medical college. 

Thomas B. Van Alstyne, born Richmondville, N. Y. ; diploma May 
13, 1881, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. 

George Wayland Dodge, born McGrawville; diploma May 2, 1894, 
Eclectic Medical college. New York city. 

William Wesley Clark, born Binghamton; diploma April 18, 1894, 
Albany Medical college. 

Henry Wilson Brown, born Grafton, Mass.; diploma March 21, 1889, 
Albany Medical college. 

Edward Francis Day, born Utica; license July 6, 1895, University of 
State of New York. 

Dwight E. Cone, born North Brookfield, N. Y. ; license March 15, 
1896, University of State of New York. 

Titus L. Brown, born Hillsdale, Columbia county, N, Y. ; diploma 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 403 

March 1, 1853, Homeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania. (Now 
Hahnemann Medical college). 

Willis H. Proctor, born Claremont, N. PI. ; diploma March 10, 1880, 
Hahnemann Medical college, Philadelphta. 

A. J. Clark, born Catharine, N. Y. ; diploma February 28, 1866, New 
York Homeopathic Medical college. 

Henry S. Sloan, born Sharon, N. Y. ; diploma February 27, 1862, 
Hahnemann Medical college, Chicago. 

Edward E. Snyder, born Newark Valley; diploma March 7, 1871, 
Hahnmann Medical college, Philadelphia. 

George Frederick Hand, born Binghamton; diploma February 28, 
1865, New York Homeopathic Medical college. 

Charles F. Millspaugh, born Ithaca; diploma March 3, 1881, New 
York Homeopathic Medical college. 

Frederick I. Stacy, born Harford, N. Y. ; diploma April 16, 1885, New 
York Homeopathic Medical college. 

Franklin F. Marsh, born Croydon, N. H. ; diploma March 10, 1880, 
Hahnemann Medical college, Philadelphia. 

Lynn Arthur Martin, born Harpersville, N. Y. ; diploma April 15, 

1886, New York Homeopathic Medical college. 

Charles T. Haines, born Preston Hollow, N. Y. ; diploma March 5, 

1887, Piute Medical college, Cincinnati. 

Ida Louise Dildine, born Candor, N. Y. ; diploma April 19, 1887, New 
York college and hospital. 

Charles Austin Ward, born Holland Patent; diploma April 18, 1887, 
New York Homeopathic Medical college. 

Lizzie Corwin, born Middletown, N. Y. ; diploma April 20, 1886, New 
York Medical College and Hospital for Women. 

De Witt Hiram McGraw, born McGrawville, N. Y. ; diploma April 
13, 1888, New York Homeopathic Medical college and hospital. 

George H. Jenkins, born Rochester, N. H. ; diploma April 18, 1889, 
New York Homeopathic Medical college. 

Emma J. Light, born Le Raysville, Pa. ; diploma March 2, 1883, 
Chicago Homeopathic Medical college. 

Charles Sylvester Winters, born Lanesboro, Pa. ; diploma April 10, 
1890, New York Homeopathic Medical college. 

William Henry Hacker, born Nichols, N. Y. ; diploma February 14, 

1888, Hahnemann Medical college, Chicago. 

Edward M.Olmsted, born Nichols, N. Y. ; diploma May 18, 1887, 
New York Homeopathic Medical college. 



404 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

B. F, French, born Troy, Ohio ; diploma Hahnemann Medical college, 
Philadelphia. 

Harvey K. Leonard, born Ovid Center, N. Y. ; diploma March 10, 
1881, Hahnemann Medical college, Philadelphia. 

Joseph Franklin Roe, born Candor; license April 12, 1894, Univer- 
sity State of New York. 

Abram W. Stoutenburg, born Pittsford, N. Y. ; diploma May 3, 
1894, Homeopathic Medical college and hospital, New York city. 

Thomas Sawyer Turner, born Durham, Maine; diploma March 12, 
1879, New York Homeopathic Medical college. 

J. Bonnar Bates, born East Albany; license July 19, 1898, University 
of New York. 

William Ford Ward, born Holland Patent ; license November 1, 1897, 
University State of New York. 

De Witt P. Bailey, born Richfield Springs, N. Y. ; diploma March 12, 
1889, University City of New York. 

Joanna Katrina C, Fiske, born Yates, N. Y. ; diploma March G, 1878, 
Boston University School of Medicine. 

Lizzie C. Blair, born East Albany; diploma April 1884, New York 
Medical college. 

Alice French Mills, born Bedford, N. M. ; diploma March 3, 1880, 
Boston University of Medicine. 

SKETCHES OF PROMINENT EARLY PHYSICIANS. 

Dr. Phineas Bartholmew, according to acknowledged authority, was 
the pioneer' of the profession in the little village of Chenango Point, 
to which place he came about 1803. Tradition says he was a physician 
of much skill for his time, and during his brief residence here he gained 
an enviable reputation. He came from Coxsackie, and for a time was 
engaged in mercantile pursuits with John Bartlett; but in the course 
of a few years he returned to the place whence he came. Dr. Barthol- 
mew was a graduate of Yale college. 

Dr. Elihu Ely, of whom mention is made in another chapter of this 
work, came to Chenango Point in 1805. He was a native of Lyme, 
Conn., and was highly educated for professional life, but a desire for 
mercantile pursuits caused him to drift away from practice and turned 
his energies into other channels. He became the owner of several de- 

• Drs. Slocum aad Blanchard came soon after Dr. Bartholmew, but remained in the village 
only a short time. 




DR. AMMl DOUBLEDAY. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 405 

sirable tracts of land in the village, and built a number of business 
blocks and dwellings, some of which are still standing. The Exchange 
building, just below the present Sisson block, was one of Dr. Ely's 
properties, and is still a substantial structure. As a result of close at- 
tention to business, good judgment, and a provident life. Dr. Ely ac- 
cumulated a fortune, but reverses eventually overtook him and he died 
in moderate circumstances. He took an earnest interest in the profes- 
sion, and also in the County Medical society, of which he was the first 
treasurer. He retired from active practice in 1832, but lived in the 
village until his death, in 1851. Dr. Ely was an honor to the profession 
and to the village in which he lived. 

Dr. Tracy Robinson came to practice medicine in Binghamton and 
its vicinity in 1810 and afterward was a lifelong resident of the village. 
Like his professional associates of the period. Dr. Robinson engaged in 
mercantile pursuits and also in hotel keeping. At one time he was 
partner with his son-in-law. Major Morgan, in establishing and opera- 
ting a line of stages through this part of the state. Withal, he was one 
of our most worthy citizens, and was prominently identified with the 
political history both of the vihage and the county. Twice he was ap- 
pointed postmaster, first in 1833 and again in 1842. He also served as 
first judge of the Common Pleas after the adoption of the constitution 
of 1822. For many years he was a faithful member of Christ church, 
and was one of its vestrymen. The medical profession and the village 
were honored by his life and works. Dr. Robinson was president of 
the County Medical society from 1823 to 1836. The late Gen. John C. 
Robinson, Henry L. Robinson, of New York city, and the late Erasmus 
D. , Charles and Sidney Robinson, were sons of Dr. Robinson. None 
except Henry L. are now living and the surname has few representa- 
tives in the city. Dr. Robinson died in November, 1867. 

Dr. Ammi Doubleday (every old resident of Binghamton has a dis- 
tinct and friendly recollection of this worthy citizen and physician) be- 
gan his professional life here in 1813, and in connection with his prac- 
tice he kept a drug store in partnership with Dr. Robinson. John T. 
Doubleday soon succeeded to his brother's interest in the store, after 
which the latter was partner with Dr. Silas West, of honored memory. 
In many respects Dr. Doubleday was identified with early village his- 
tory, and for many years was one of our most worthy citizens. He 
was a physician of almost distinguished ability, and while he loved the 
profession he somewhat abruptly dropped practice to engage in mer- 



406 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

cantile pursuits and various other business enterprises. He accumu- 
lated a fortune and deserved the success he achieved, for he was an en- 
ergetic and straightforward business man. He was one of the founders 
of the old Bank of Binghamton and was its president as long as he 
lived. From 1817 to 1821 he was county clerk, hence must have been 
a factor in early county politics. As a contractor he built a section of 
the Croton water works to supply New York city. He also built two 
sections of the Erie Railroad. As is mentioned in an earlier chapter, 
Dr. Doubleday was a native of New Lebanon, Columbia county, and 
lived a short time in Tioga county before settling permanently in Bing- 
hamton. He died in July, 1867. 

Dr. Charles Johnson practiced medicine in the village from 1821 to 
1835. He was born in London, England, and was educated for the 
profession in his native country. Tradition gives him a good standing 
among the physicians of this county although the period of his resi- 
dence here was short. He died in 1835, leaving a large family. 

Dr. Silas West practiced medicine in Binghamton from 1823 to 
August 27, 1859, when he died. He is not elsewhere mentioned in 
this work, as his life was devoted closely to professional work, although 
for a time he was partner with Dr. Doubleday in a drug business at the 
famous old " red store " on Water street, where the villagers were wont 
to gather and discuss current events. Dr. West was a native of Water- 
vliet, Albany county, and was born March 11, 1793. His medical edu- 
cation was thorough and as a physician he for many years held a prom- 
inent position among his professional associates. The honorary de- 
gree of doctor of medicine was conferred on him by the regents of the 
university. Moreover, he was a devout Christian, exemplary in all the 
walks of life, and was an elder in the Presbyterian church thirty-five 
years. The records disclose that Dr. West was president of the County 
Medical society in 1838-39. 

Dr. Henry S. West, son of Silas West, was born in Binghamton, Jan- 
uary 21, 1827, and died in Sivas, Turkey in Asia, April 1, 1870. He 
was educated for the medical profession, and was graduated at the Col- 
lege of Physicians and Surgeons, of New York, in 1850. He practiced 
in partnership with his father until 1858, when he became missionarj^ 
physician under the American board of foreign missions and was sta- 
tioned in Turkey. Thereafter he spent his life in the cause of Chris- 
tianity, but he loved good works in the Master's vinej'ard rather than 
the pleasures and vanities of the world. Had he elected to remain at 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 407 

home his acknowledged ability would have given him a high standing 
in the ranks of the profession, and undoubtedly he would have accumu- 
lated a fortune; but in his chosen field of labor his services were re- 
warded with the meagre salary of $600 per year. His greatest recom- 
pense, however, was in the consciousness of doing good work in the 
missionary field. Few indeed of our citizens have any present recol- 
lection of Dr. Henry West, yet his name will ever have an honorable 
place in the history of Binghamton and the medical profession. Dr. 
West was secretary of the County Medical society from 1854 to 1857. 

Dr. Charles Britten Johnson, a native and former resident of Clunn, 
Wales, emigrated to the United States and landed in Philadelphia about 
1818 or '10. Soon afterward he associated with Dr. Rose and assisted 
in the colonization of the region surrounding Silver Lake, Pa. To pro- 
mote the enterprise, Dr. Johnson, who was a man of excellent educa- 
tion, wrote a series of letters for the use of the British Emigration com- 
mission, the same being published and widely circulated throughout 
Great Britain, and resulting in the success of the colonization scheme. 
About 1828 Dr. Johnson came to live in Binghamton, taking up a resi- 
dence on the river road (Riverside Drive): He practiced medicine in 
this vicinity until his death, about 1836. His children were John, Will- 
iam, Charles, Thomas, Henry, Evans, Emily and Eliza Johnson, Henry 
and Evans were once connected with Rexford's drug store but after- 
ward removed to New York and engaged in the wholesale drug trade. 
John and William left Binghamton many years ago and were never 
afterward heard of. Charles died young. Thomas, whose business 
life was chiefly spent in this vicinity, was the first telegraph operator 
in Binghamton. He was a practical printer and at one time was con- 
nected with the Fulton Chronicle, of Fultonville, and afterward with 
the Broome County Courier. Later on he was paymaster on the west- 
ern division of the Erie railroad and "was killed in an accident near 
Ovvego in 1850. His wife was Primrose Scott, who died in 1897. Their 
children were Robert M. Johnson, soldier and sailor; Charles B. John- 
son, a business man of Binghamton of whom mention is made in an- 
other department of this work ; Levi Rexford Johnson, also a soldier 
and now a resident of Erie, Pa. ; Alice Johnson, who died young; Cam- 
eron Johnson, now in the railway service in Illinois; and Annie Leav- 
enworth Johnson, of this city. 

Dr. Nathan S. Davis was added to the number of practicing physi- 
cians of the village in 1836, and two years later was elected secretary 



408 BlNGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

of the Medical society, holding- office until 1842. He came from Che- 
nango county, where he had read medicine with Dr. Clark. He re- 
ceived his degree of M. D. from the old Herkimer County Medical in- 
stitution. After several years practice in Binghamton Dr. Davis re- 
moved to Chicago, where he attained a standing of great prominence 
in the profession. Indeed, for many years he was regarded as one of 
the leading physicians of the west, and for a long time held a chair in 
the Medical college of Chicago. He was one of the organizers of the 
American Medical association ; was its president, and was also editor- 
in-chief of the Journal, the organ of the association. Although the best 
part of Dr. Davis' professional life was spent away from Binghamton, 
he is still remembered with gratitude, and is freely accorded an hon- 
orable mention in these annals. 

Dr. Edwin Eldridge was a physician of the village of Binghamton 
for a period of about twenty- five years, and had he cast his lot perma- 
nently with our people instead of Elmira his success and popularity 
undoubtedly would have been greater than it was. His memory is still 
fresh in the minds of a few of our older practitioners and a larger num- 
ber of citizens generally, for he was one of the most popular men of the 
village in his time. Dr. Eldridge was born in the Hudson River val- 
ley, and acquired his professional education in New York city and also 
in the Fairfield Medical institution. In 1836 he came to Binghamton 
and at once found favor with the people. His home north of the rail- 
road, opposite the old village cemetery, was the seat of comfort and 
hospitality. The residence was a neat villa situated in the center of a 
large grove. The entire property is now occupied for railroad pur- 
poses, and is the site whereon stands the D. & H. freighthouse. El- 
dridge street was named in allusion to Dr. Eldridge. 

Dr. Thomas Jackson, whose name for many years was almost a 
household word in Binghamton, and who was, withal, one of our most 
esteemed citizens and ablest physicians, was born in Wyoming county, 
Pa., April 23, 1805. He was the son of a physician, and after complet- 
ing his early education he began the study of medicine with his father, 
but finished " reading " with Dr. Edward Covell, of Wilkesbarre, where 
he remained two years. He then became a student in the medical de- 
partment of the University of Pennsylvania, and was graduated in 1827. 
He began practice in Montrose, but in the course of a year or two lo- 
cated in Binghamton, where he soon took a prominent position in the 
ranks of the profession. Dr. Jackson was an excellent physician, en- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 409 

joyed a large and profitable practice and had the confidence and respect 
of all our people, yet in 1836 he removed to Mississippi. About three 
years later,- however, he returned north and again took up his residence 
in Montrose, remaining there until about 1842, when he decided to live 
permanently in Binghamton. From that time until his death, in 1863, 
Dr. Jackson was one of our most distinguished physicians. During the 
period from about 1842 to 1861 Dr. Jackson and Dr. George Burr were 
partners under the firm name of Jackson & Burr. This relation was 
maintained until the junior partner became an army surgeon. He 
became a member of the County Medical society in 1829, and was its 
president in 1851-52. He was one of the founders and an original 
fellow of the Bmghamton Academy of Medicine. 

Dr. Lewis F. Starkey, secretary of the medical society in 1831-32, 
came to practice medicine in the village and vicinity in 1829. He 
studied medicine under Dr. Packard, of Oxford, and was graduated at 
the Fairfield Medical institute in 1827. He practiced about two years 
in Bainbridge and then came to Binghamton, where he was for a time 
partner with Dr. Silas West. After a short time Dr. wStarkey returned 
to Chenango county and thence removed to Michigan, where he died. 

Dr. Josiah Blackman was a medical practitioner of fifteen years' ser- 
vice in Otsego county before he came to Binghamton in 1833. He re- 
mained here about two years and then removed to Montrose, Pa. 

Dr. Rufus Belden, a graduate of the Berkshire Medical institute, 
came to Binghamton in 1837, but in the course of a few years removed 
to Williamsburg, Long Island, and thence to New York city, where he 
acquired a prominent standing in the profession and also a splendid 
fortune as the result of his skill and attainments. 

Dr. Horace Griswold began practicing medicine in Binghamton in 
1842, although his honorary membership in the County Medical society 
dated from 1831. He came from Huntington, Pa., but was a native of 
Buckland, Mass., where his medical education was in part acquired. 
He also studied under the celebrated Dr. White, of Cherry Valley, and 
began his professional career at Harford, Pa., where he married. Later 
on he removed to Huntington, where he practiced many years. He 
came to this place, as has been stated, in 1842, but impaired health 
soon compelled him to discontinue professional work. Dr. Griswold 
died soon after 1850. 

Dr. Whiting S. Griswold was perhaps more prominent in the medical 
profession in Binghamton than his father, Dr. Horace Griswold. The 



410 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

young man acquired his medical education in Dr. Eldridge's office, 
also in reciting to and receiving instruction from Dr. Nathan S. Davis, 
who afterward attained a distinguished prominence in the profession. 
In 1842 Dr. Griswold attended Geneva Medical college, but in the latter 
part of that year entered the medical department of Pennsylvania col- 
lege, at Philadelphia, where he was graduated. He began practice in 
Union, where he lived three years and then removed to Binghamton. 
Dr. Griswold was secretary of the County Medical society from 1849 to 
1851, and its president in 1861-G2; was an original fellow of the Bing- 
hamton Academy of Medicine, and its vice-president in 1855. He 
died in 1806. 

Dr. John Chubbuck was another early, well known and highly re- 
spected Binghamton physician, having begun practice here in 1843. 
The surname was known in local annals many years, both in profession- 
al and business circles. Dr. Chubbuck was born in Connecticut in 1795, 
and acquired his medical education in Yale college, soon after which he 
was licensed to practice. His career was begun at East Windsor, Conn., 
in 1821, but in 1831 he came west and settled in Nichols, Tioga county, 
where he lived eleven years. Then he came to Binghamton. He joined 
the Medical society in 1844, and was an original fellow of the Bing- 
hamton Academy of Medicine in 1854. Dr. Chubbuck was not a con- 
spicuous figure in the affairs of the medical organizations, or of the vil- 
lage, but is remembered as a quiet, capable physician, devoting his at- 
tention almost wholly to practice. D. J. H. Chubbuck, the druggist, 
was for many years identified with mercantile interests in Binghamton. 
He was the son of Dr. John Chubbuck. 

Dr. George Burr, of honored memory both in the medical profession 
throughout the state and also in the civil history of Binghamton for a 
period of almost forty years, was born in Meredith, N. Y. , April 5, 
1813, and died in this city in October, 1882. In youth he was given 
the advantages of an excellent academic education, and before attain- 
ing his majority he began the study of medicine. He attended a course 
of medical lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Fair- 
field, and another at the equally famous Berkshire Medical institution ; 
and was graduated at the latter in 1835. Dr. Burr began his profes- 
sional career, however, in 1831, in the village of Union, but later on 
took a further course of instruction in the University of Pennsylvania. 
In Union Dr. Burr was not only a successful physician, but his large 
acquaintance and friendly relations with the leading men of the county 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 411 

naturally drew him somewhat into association with the political forces 
of the locality. In November, 1843, he was elected county clerk and 
thereupon removed to the county seat to discharge the duties of that 
office. At the end of his term he resumed practice, not immediately, 
however, in Binghamton, but in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained 
less than two years, after which he became a permanent resident of our 
then village. He soon took and to the time of his death maintained a 
leading position among the physicians both of this county and of the 
state; and notwithstanding the fact that he was what is commonly called 
a country physician, practicing in one of the border counties of the 
state, his worth, however, was recognized and appreciated by the 
profession at large. For four years he held the chair of obstetrics, 
diseases of women and medical jurisprudence, and for eleven years the 
professorship of general and special anatomy, in Geneva Medical col- 
lege 

During the war of 1861-65 Dr. Burr was commissioned, by President 
Lincoln, brigade surgeon of volunteers, and in October, 1861, he was 
assigned to duty in the army of the Potomac, serving through the cam- 
paigns of that and the following year, both on the Peninsula and before 
Richmond. He was on the field with his brigade in every engagement 
in which it participated during the entire period. Upon his discharge 
from the service he was the recipient of many gratifying testimonials 
from army and government officials, all of whom gave him the highest 
praise for fidelity and devotion to the soldiers under his care. After 
the war he returned to Binghamton and resumed practice, and from that 
time he stood pre-eminently at the head of the profession in this section 
of the state. 

Dr. Burr was a member of the State Medical society, and at one time 
was its vice-president; was a permanent member of the American Medi- 
cal association; an honorary member of the Neurological society of the 
city of New York ; an active member of the American Association for 
the Care of Inebriates, He was also honored with an invitation to a 
seat in the International Congress of Surgeons which met in Philadel- 
phia in 1876. Locally, he was president of the County Medical society 
in 1844-45, in 1852-54 and again in 1865-66. He was secretary of the 
society from 1843 to 1844. He was an original fellow of the Academy 
of Medicine, and its vice-president in 1855. As a contributor to the 
literature of the medical profession Dr. Burr enjoyed a special promi- 
nence, as he possessed the fortunate qualities of grace and versatility in 



412 BINGHAMTON ITS SETTLEMENT. 

writing. Several of his articles were translated into foreign languages 
and were given a wide circulation in European countries. As an au- 
thority on subjects relating to local history the doctor was hardly less 
noted. His address on the early history of Broome county, which was 
delivered July 3, 1876, was one of the best reviews of its character ex- 
tant, and was considered of such value that a large edition was pub- 
lished for the benefit of succeeding generations. 

Dr. Edward Griffin Crafts, who was well known in medical and agri- 
cultural circles in Broome county for a period of nearly fifty years, was 
a native of Cherry Valley, born July 4, 1821. In youth he was given a 
good education, after which, and until he attained his majority, his time 
was devoted to study, teaching school, working as clerk in a store, and 
also to farming pursuits. Although a professional man by education 
and choice, Dr. Crafts possessed a natural inclination for farming pur- 
suits, and especially interested himself in breeding and raising fine 
blooded stock. When hardly more than twenty years old he was a wool 
buyer for a Boston house, and in 1844 was sent to Ohio and other then 
western states to make purchases for his employers. However, he de- 
termined to enter the medical profession and to that end devoted his 
attention. Having pursued a course of study at Castleton (Vt.) Medi- 
cal college and also in Philadelphia, he entered Geneva Medical college, 
and was graduated in 1850. Soon afterward he was appointed ship sur- 
geon on the Northern Light, of the California line via. Nicaragua and 
the Isthmus. In 1853 he was made resident official surgeon at Virgin 
Bay, Nicaragua, at a salary of $5,000, but after two years in that capac- 
ity he returned to New York ; nor did the most tempting offers of the 
company induce the young doctor to resume life in the tropics. He 
then settled in Binghamton and began practice, and from that time to 
about 1875 his time was devoted to professional work. Then, so seri- 
ously broken in health that his life was despaired of. Dr. Crafts turned 
himself to farming pursuits, taking up a residence on the old Double- 
day farm in East Maine. The doctor proved an excellent farmer and 
thorough developer, and the locality in which he lived was named 
"Craftsdale " in allusion to him. Later on, when a post station was 
established there, the name "Arbutus" was given to the office. In 
this pleasant locality Dr. Crafts spent the remaining years of his life, 
engaged in general agriculture and in breeding Jersey cows and Berk- 
shire swine. Dr. Crafts was a member of the State Grange, also of the 
State Dairyman's association, of which he was vice-president in 1878. 






GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 413 

In professional circles he was a member of the State and County* Medi- 
cal societies, and was president of the latter in 1859-60; he became a 
fellow of the Binghamton Academy of Medicine in 1858, and was its 
president in 1864. His membership in all these organizations was 
maintained until his death, January 26, 1894. Dr. Crafts' wife was 
Susan Pierce Doubleday, daughter of Dr. Ammi Doubleday. Five 
children were born of their marriage. 

Dr. Pelatiah Brooks was a native of Lisle, and was born September 
13, 1825. He received his early medical education from his father Dr. 
Pelatiah B. Brooks, after which he attended the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons of New York city, where he was graduated in 1850. He 
began practice in Binghamton soon afterward, and in 1855 he became 
partner with Dr. John G. Orton, which relation was maintained until 
March, 1864. Dr. Brooks was a permanent member of the State Medi- 
cal society, and was also a member of the County Medical society (of 
which he was president from 1857 to 1863), and the Binghamton Acad- 
emy of Medicine, having been one of the founders of the latter, and its 
treasurer in 1857. At the time of his death Dr. Brooks held a commis- 
sion as surgeon of the 44th regiment of militia, an organization of 
Broome county citizen soldiers. The surname Brooks has been well 
represented in the medical history of the county. Dr. Pelatiah B. 
Brooks became a member of the County Medical society in 1823, and 
was its president from 1836 to 1838, and again from 1846 to 1849. Drs. 
Pelatiah Brooks, James Brooks and Walter Brooks, all prominent phy- 
sicians in their time, were descended from the same pioneer head. 

Dr. Lansing Griffin was another old medical practitioner in excellent 
standing in the profession for many years. He was a native of Water- 
loo, Seneca county, and was the son of a physician. He was graduated 
at Albany Medical college in 1859, but practiced in Susquehanna county 
previous to locating in Binghamton. Dr. Griffin died November 12, 
1894. 

Dr. George A. Thayer was a resident physician in Binghamton for a 
period of almost thirty years, and during that time he built up an ex- 
tensive practice, and a professional and social acquaintance equal to 
that of any other physician in the city. Dr. Thayer was what is gener- 
ally termed an " Eclectic," having graduated May 18, 1859, at the Cin- 
cinnati Eclectic Medical college, one of the best institutions of its class in 
the country. But of whatever school of medicine he may have been, the 
fact remains that George A, Thayer was one of our best city physicians 



414 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

and also one of our most worthy and popular citizens. His practice 
was large and successful, therefore remunerative, yet throughout his 
professional career he never pressed a poor family for his fee ; neither 
did he ever refuse a sick call from a poor man on the ground that he 
would not be paid for his services. His liberality and generosity gave 
him a wide acquaintance throughout the city, therefore when the Dem- 
ocratic party sought to nominate for the mayoralty a candidate who 
could not well be defeated Dr. Thayer was chosen to head the ticket 
and carry it safely to victory at the polls. This was done in 1884 and 
again in 1885, the doctor serving two terms as mayor of the city. 

George A. Thayer was born in Otsego county June 26, 1830, and from 
early youth he made his way in life. He was well educated and de- 
voted portions of five years to teaching regular winter and also evening 
terms of school. At the same time he prepared himself for the medi- 
cal profession and finished his course in the institution mentioned. He 
came to Binghamton in 1850, immediately after graduation, and prac- 
ticed in the city and vicinity to the time of his death, January 31, 1887. 
Dr. Thayer was twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Marquisee, 
sister of James Marquisee, formerly of this city. Of this marriage one 
child, who died in infancy, was born. His second wife, whom he mar- 
ried January 18, 1862, was Mary J. Heavy, who still lives in this city. 
The late Dr. George Volney Thayer was 'an adopted son of Dr. George 
A. and Mary J. (Heavy) Thayer. 

Dr. Orson V. Thayer was a cousin of Dr. George A. Thayer, and 
like the latter, was an Eclectic. He acquired considerable prominence 
in professional circles in having founded and conducted the Mount 
Prospect watercure, an institution of much note in its time. Later on 
Dr. Thayer removed to California, where he now lives. 

Dr. William Bassett was for many years a physician of excellent re- 
pute in the city, and still lives (in Owego), although not in active prac- 
tice. Dr. Bassett was born in London, England, and a graduate of 
Berkshire (Mass.) Medical college in November, 1841. 

Dr. Lester D. Stone was a native of Ontario county, and a graduate 
of the Metropolitan Medical college of New York in 1854. He lived in 
the city several years previous to his death, but having means did not 
depend on his practice for a livelihood. He was prominently identified 
with the local society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, and 
with other worthy causes. He died a few years ago. 

Dr. Stephen D. Hand was unquestionably the most distinguished 




DR. STEPHEN D. HAND. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 415 

representative of the Homoeopathic school in Broome county during the 
period of his practice. He was educated for the regular profession, as 
it is termed, but became convinced of the superiority of homoeopathv, 
hence he adopted its methods in his subsequent professional life. Dr. 
Hand was born in New Lebanon, Columbia county, October 6, 1806, 
and died in Binghamton March 10, 1879. His parents were in moderate 
circumstances and could not afford to give him the early education he 
sought to acquire, therefore at the age of fifteen years he "bought his 
time " and by hard work earned sufficient money to obtain a fair com- 
mon school and an excellent medical education. He studied medicine 
with Drs. Dayton and Wright, of New Lebanon, and was graduated at 
the Berkshire Medical college at Pittsfield, Mass., in 1831. He at once 
began practice at Coeymans, Albany county, thence removed to West 
Stockbridge, Mass., and came to Binghamton in 1835. Of his subse- 
quent career as a physician it may be said that he was eminently suc- 
cessful, and that he was very highly regarded by his professional asso- 
ciates. In 1835 he became a member of the Broome County Medical 
society; was its secretary in 1837-38, and its president from 1840 to 
1842. About 1847 his enquiring mind led him to investigate the merits 
of the Homoeopathic school, soon after which he became a convert to 
the doctrine of siinilia similibiis ciirantur. 

Dr. Hand's abandonment of the old and well settled practice of the 
"regular" school produced great consternation in the County Medical 
society and called forth from the president of that body a strong denun- 
ciation of the action. But while thus separated from his former asso- 
ciates by the widely differing theories of the respective schools. Dr. 
Hand always retained their respect and confidence, and their social in- 
tercourse was not broken by his radical professional departure. In the 
ranks of homoeopathy Dr. Hand soon took and to the end of his career 
maintained a distinguished prominence, and was frequently mentioned 
as the father of his school of medicine in the county, notwithstanding 
the fact that homoeopathy had older representatives in the county than 
he. They, however, were comparatively passive characters who had 
struggled against adversity and the prejudices created by those of the 
opposing school who were intolerant of the new. With the acquisition 
of Dr. Hand to the homoeopathic forces the latter school became more 
popular than in previous years, and it grew and continued to grow un- 
til it was the fair rival of its old-time antagonist. Indeed, it may truth- 
fully be said that Dr. Hand did more for homoeopathy than any or all 



416 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

of his predecessors, and that he builded firmly and permanently. He 
was a member of the State Homoeopathic society, and always took a 
prominent part in its proceedings when he could be present. He was 
one of the founders of the Broome County Homoeopathic society in 
1863 and was its president from its organization to the time of his death. 
Throughout the period of his residence in the city Dr. Hand was a 
prominent figure in public affairs, although he was not in any sense a 
politician. He was an intense abolitionist and his home was a station 
for refugees on the underground railroad leading from the slave states 
to Canada. He was one of the organizers and the first assistant fore- 
man of Protection Hook and Ladder company, in 1843, and otherwise 
took an active interest in the village and its institutions. He was one of 
the early school commissioners after the creation of the union district in 
1861, and served several years as member of the board of education. 
In 1867 he was a member of the state constitutional convention. Dr. 
Hand's wife, with whom he married April 8, 1832, was Elmina Hay- 
ward of New Lebanon, N. Y. George F. Hand, physician, and Walter 
M. Hand, lawyer, both of this city, are sons of the late Dr. Hand 

Dr. Titus L. Brown was for many years a prominent homoeopathic 
physician of the city, and enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. He 
was born in Hillsdale, Columbia county, October 16, 1828, and was a 
graduate of the Hahnemann Medical college of Philadelphia, March 1, 
1853. He is well remembered by our older citizens, for his was a fa- 
miliar figure on our streets previous to ten years ago. His office and 
residence were centrally located on Collier street, north of Firemen's 
hall, a part of the property being afterward taken for the new Munici- 
pal building. Dr. Brown entertained peculiar and somewhat unpopu- 
lar religious opinions, and his unrestrained expression of them on all 
occasions probably alienated a number of otherwise profitable clients. 
He inclined to the LigersoUian theory and was a near friend of the dis- 
tinguished agnostic, whose recent death has occasioned much comment 
throughout the country. Dr. Brown was one of the founders of the 
County Homoeopathic Medical society, and was its secretary many 
years. He died in this city August 17, 1887. 

Dr. Henry S. Sloan practiced homoeopathy in the city nearly thirty 
years. He was born in Sharon, N. Y., and was one of the numerous 
contingent of Schoharie county citizens who contributed so much to 
local growth and prosperity. Dr. Sloan was a graduate of the Hahn- 
emann Medical college of Chicago in 1852. He is remembered as hav- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 417 

ing been a good physician and an upright citizen. He stood especially- 
high in Masonic circles, but took no active part in the political affairs 
of the city. He was an original member of the Homoeopathic Medical 
society of the county and for many years was its vice-president. Dr. 
Sloan died in this city a few years ago. 

Dr. Ira W. Peabody was another prominent citizen and disciple of 
Hahnemann in Binghamton for many years. He was of New England 
stock, and was descended from the noted Peabody family of Massachu- 
setts. He died more than twenty years ago, but is remembered in 
friendship by many of our older citizens. Edwin W. Peabody, who is 
well known in business circles in the city, and who was city alderman 
in 1880 and '81, is a nephew of the late Dr. Peabody. 

Dr. Washington W. Wheaton, who was well known in professional and 
farming circles in Binghamton for a period of almost forty years, was 
born in Jackson, Susquehanna county, Pa., in 1811, and was the son of 
Moses P. Wheaton, a prominent teacher for many years in Harford 
academy. The doctor acquired his early education in the Susquehanna 
county schools and also was under the private instruction of a retired 
invalid college professor. He afterward read medicine with Dr. Street- 
er, of Harford, and attended lectures at the Central Medical college, of 
Rochester, where he was graduated June 5, 1850. Previous to his 
graduation, however, the young doctor began practice in Warren, Brad- 
ford county. Pa., and lived in that locality about eight years, practicing 
in five counties and thirty towns. In 1852 he came to live in Bingham- 
ton, and was thereafter one of our most popular and successful physi- 
cians until the time of his death, October 13, 1888. Aside from his 
practice, which was always large and remunerative, the doctor took an 
earnest interest in all agricultural pursuits, particularly in stock grow- 
ing. He owned one of the largest and finest herds of Jersey cattle in 
this part of the state, and bred many premium cattle. He possessed 
six good farms at one time and at the time of his death he left twenty 
pieces of real estate. He was one of the most generous and liberal 
hearted men, having an especial love for children although none were 
born of his marriage. During the married life of the doctor and his 
wife more than forty children were given a home in their household 
and remained with them from one to twenty years. On January 6, 
1850, Dr. Wheaton married Elizabeth B., daughter of William Bowen, 
the latter one of the pioneers of Bradford county, Pa., and of honorable 
New England stock. 

27 



1 



418 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Dr. Christopher Hempstead Yelvington, who was a practicing physi- 
cian of this city from the summer of 1893 to the time of his death, May 
31, 1899, was one of the most prominent disciples of the Eclectic school 
of medicine in this state. He was born in Gay Head, Greene county, 
December 10, 1835, and was the son of poor parents, hence he was com- 
pelled always to make his own way m life. He was educated in the 
common school after which he was a clerk in a store and also on a boat 
plying between Poughkeepsie and New York. Then he served a seven 
years' apprenticeship to learn the trade of plumbing, but while thus 
employed he also read medicine under the direction of Drs Pine & 
Tuttle of Poughkeepsie. He then attended Albany Medical college one 
year, after which he began practice at Highland, Dutchess county. 
About this time the civil war began, and in 1863 Dr. Yelvington was 
commissioned surgeon of the 120th N. Y. Vols., and was assigned to 
duty in the recruiting service. In the early part of 1865 he went to the 
front and after the fall of Richmond he was sent on detached service to 
Libby prison hospital, where he was stationed until mustered out. He 
then practiced for a time at Sunbury, Pa., but in the spring of 1867 
located at Susquehanna borough, where he remained until the fall of 
1881. He was then asked to take the chair of obstetrics and diseases 
of women in the Eclectic Medical college of the City of New York, A 
few months later the dean of the college having died, Dr. Yelvington 
was elected to the chair of practice of medicine to succeed the deceased 
dean. This high position he filled until the spring of 1885, when, 
broken in health, he retired and returned to Susquehanna, practicing 
in that borough until he came to this city in July, 1893. It is proper 
to mention that Dr. Yelvington took up Eclecticism only after he left 
the army, and from that time he was a distinguished representative of 
that school of medicine. He organized the Susquehanna Eclectic Med- 
ical society in 1870, and in 1874 assisted in the organization of the State 
Eclectic Medical association; and when the association received a char- 
ter in 1876, Dr. Yelvington was chosen its president. In 1877 the 
Eclectic Medical college conferred on him the honorary degree of M. 
D., in recognition of his prominence and the work he had done for the 
school. He was a member of the State Eclectic Medical societies of 
New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Connecticut, and an hon- 
orary member of the National Eclectic Medical society. Dr. Yelving- 
ton's wife, whom he married December 25, 1857, was Sarah Osborn of 
Poughkeepsie ; seven children were born of this marriage. 




DR. JOHN G. ORTON. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 419 

SKETCHES OF PRESENT PHYSICIANS. 

John Gay Orton is a native of Seneca Falls, N. Y., born December 5, 
1827, and is the son of the late Rev. Azariah G. Orton, D. D. His 
grandfather was Azariah Orton, of Tyringham, Mass., a revolutionary 
patriot and a soldier in Gen. Gates' army. The family is of English 
extraction and is descended from Thomas Orton, the immigrant ances- 
tor who settled in Charlestown, Mass., in 1636, and thence removed to 
Windsor, Conn., in 1641. His descendants, like all New Englanders, 
became scattered with the settlement and growth of the country, and 
thus Rev. Azariah G. Orton, a Presbyterian clergyman and a graduate 
of Williams college, became pastor of a church at Seneca Falls, in central 
New York. John G. Orton was given a thorough academic education, 
after which he entered the medical department of the University of 
New York, where he was graduated in the spring of 1853. A portion 
of that year and the next he devoted to hospital work in New York. On 
April 1, 1854, Dr. Orton came to Binghamton and began the practice 
of medicine and surgery. He was then twenty-six years of age, and be- 
gan his career in a village of a few thousand inhabitants, where he was 
brought into acquaintance with physicians of great professional strength, 
among whom were the Drs. West, George Burr, Pelatiah Brooks, 
Thomas Jackson, P. B. Brooks, Whiting S. Griswold, John Chubbuck 
and others; but Dr. Orton was not a professional competitor of any of 
them, but rather their associate and co-worker. With them he found- 
ed the Binghamton Academy of Medicine, and was elected its secretary, 
which office he held many years. Indeed he was the mainstay and sup- 
port of the organization during periods in which dissolution seemed 
imminent, and when it was revived and reorganized in 1889, he was 
honored with the election to its presidency. With such associates as 
those whose names have been mentioned it was only natural that Dr. 
Orton should soon gain an honorable standing in the profession. Added 
to this was the physical and mental equipment of the man himself, for 
he was not only highly educated for his life's work, but was a careful 
observer and close student. Dr. Orton was never ambitious, yet he 
always had high aspirations, and glancing backward forty-five years, 
the period of his life in Binghamton, it must be seen that his hopes and 
aims have been fully gratified. He is still practicing in the city, and 
although beyond " three-score and ten years " of life's span, he is still 
vigorous in mind and body and we cannot write of him as of one whose 
career is closed ; but it is no fulsome [compliment to say that through- 



I 



420 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

out the greater portion of this period he has stood at the head of his 
profession in the city, and has also ranked among the leading medical 
men of the state. His contributions to literature of the profession have 
attracted much attention, and his dissertations and addresses have been 
given a wide circulation in medical journals /re bono publico. The sub- 
jects discussed have been so frequently mentioned by Dr. Orton's biog- 
raphers that their reproduction in this brief sketch would be quite 
like the repetition of well known facts; but rather, in this connection 
let us mention a few of the many ways in which the doctor has been a 
factor in local history. Dr. Orton became a member of the Broome 
County Medical society in October, 1854; was its president in 1856-7 
and its secretary from 1863 to 1879. In 1854 he was elected correspond- 
ing secretary of the Buffalo Natural History society; in 1856 became 
permanent member of the State Medical society; in 1863 was appoint- 
ed by President Lincoln (at the request of Daniel S. Dickinson), medi- 
cal examiner for pensions and served about twenty five years. At the 
outbreak of the civil war, he received a commission from Gov. Sey- 
mour to act as examining surgeon, with the late Orlow W. Chapman 
as commissioner, to determine the available force of Broome county 
under the prospective draft. He examined several thousand appli- 
cants. In 1875 he became a member of the American Association for 
the cure of inebriates, and at one time served as consulting surgeon to 
the New York State Inebriate asylum, of which he was a trustee under 
appointment of Gov. Tilden. In 1884-5 he was one of the founders 
and vice-president of the New York State Medical association, and was 
its president in 1889-90. In 1887 he was elected a member of the In- 
ternational Medical congress, and in 1890 became a member of the 
American Public Health association, by complimentary election at its 
session in Charleston, S. C. He assisted in establishing the New York 
State Board of Health. He was at one time trustee, treasurer and secre- 
tary of the New York State Asylum for the Blind under appointment of 
Gov. Fenton. In the work of founding and maintaining local institu- 
tions Dr. Orton has also been prominent. In this connection may be 
mentioned the " Susquehanna Valley Home," of which he is the recog- 
nized founder and has been one of its managers and president of the 
institution, and also the same is true of the " Home for Aged Women." 
He was one of the original incorporators of the Binghamton City hospi- 
tal and also of the Academy of Science. He is a director and vice- 
president of the Binghamton Savings bank and a member of the Board 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 421 

of Trade. For several years he was a member of the Board of Educa- 
tion, and was one of the special committee charged with the duty of 
supervising the erection of the high school building. In these various 
enterprises and in many other ways Dr. Orton has been identified with 
the best interests and history of our city, but further detail of statement 
is not necessary. His life in Binghamton, both as village and city, for 
a period of nearly half a century has been devoted to the general 
welfare, as well as the promotion of his personal interests. His ef- 
forts in professional and business pursuits have been well rewarded in 
honors and in a comfortable fortune. Politically, the doctor inclines to 
the Democratic party, yet he has never yielded to the importunities of 
friends and party leaders and become a candidate for an elective office, 
as the turmoil of politics has no attraction for him. In June, 1856, Dr. 
Orton married Helen M., daughter of the late Dr. Ammi Doubledayof 
Binghamton. The commanding and elegant residence of Dr. Orton, 
with its beautiful surroundings on West Main street, aptly called "The 
Terraces," is indeed an ideal place for rest, comfort and enjoyment; and 
long may he live in the satisfaction of his well earned reputation and in 
the love and esteem of the whole community! 

Edward Irving Ford is a native of Newark Valley, Tioga county, born 
June 28, 1825, the eldest son of Rev. Marcus Ford, D. D., whose pastor- 
ate in the Presbyterian church of that place covered a period of forty 
years. He was fitted for college mainly under the tutorship of his father, 
and entered the sophomore class at Williams college in 1846, and gradu- 
ated in 1849. After graduation he was engaged in teaching for several 
years, as principal of the academies at Athens, Pa., and Elmira, N. Y. 
After this he entered upon the study of medicine, imder the direction of 
Dr. R. B. Root of Newark Valley and the Drs. Brooks of Binghamton, 
and after a three years' course of lectures at the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons in New York, graduated from that institution in the 
spring of 1860. He located for the practice of his profession in Bing- 
hamton, during the first year occupying the house of Dr. West, on Main 
street, who had recently died. In the fall of 1861 he removed to Court 
street, above Exchange, which was his residence until the death of his 
parents. 

In May, 1863, Dr. Ford entered the military serviceof the government 
as acting assistant surgeon, U. S. A., and was assigned to duty in the 
hospital at Evansville, Indiana. Thence he was transferred to the 
hospitals at Jefferson Barracks, Mo. 



422 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

In the fall of the same year, immediately after the battle of Chica- 
mauga, he was ordered to the field hospital at Chattanooga and was sent 
from thence in charge of an ambulance train of wounded men to Nash- 
ville, Tenn. He was then assigned to duty in military hospitals where 
he was engaged until 1864, when he was commissioned surgeon of the 
101st U. S. C. T. He was put in charge of the contraband camp, also 
of the refugee hospital. At the same time, in connection with his 
other duties, he was appointed member of the board of examiners of 
surgeons for colored troops. He was honorably discharged from service 
in January, 1866, when he returned to Binghamton. 

For the following six years he conducted a drug business in connec- 
tion with his practice. After the death of his parents he disposed of 
his drug store and removed to the corner of Chenango street and Pros- 
pect avenue, where he pursued the practice of his profession until the 
fall of 1881, when he removed to Asbury Park, N. J., and erected the 
"Sea Side sanitarium," which he conducted successfully until obliged 
to relinquish it on account of failing health. In the summer of 1897 
the doctor returned to this city to spend the evening of his days among 
old friends and associations. 

On July 16, 1851, Dr. Ford married Anna Shepard, daughter of 
George A. Perkins of Athens, Pa. Mrs. Ford has long been known in 
Binghamton as a lady of refinement and culture, and as a writer of 
more than ordinary talent. She is also a veteran of the late war, hav- 
ing spent more than two years caring for the soldiers in the hospitals at 
Nashville in connection with the Christian commission. Moreover she 
is descended from the Shepard and Perkins families, both of whom were 
pioneers and the most highly respected settlers of the Susquehanna 
Valley in the vicinity of Tioga Point (now Athens). Two children 
were born to Dr. and Mrs. Ford, one dying in infancy and the other at 
five years of age. Jessie L. Hoover, wife of Frederick E. Hoover of 
Newark, N. J., is their foster child. Dr. Ford is one of the charter 
members of the North Presbyterian church and was a member of the 
session until his removal from the city in 1881. He has been an elder 
in the Presbyterian church for more than forty years. 

John L. Van Alystyne, a native of Richmondville, Schoharie county, 
born October 8, 1810, the youngest but one of six children of Dr. 
Thomas J3. and Eliza (Gile) Van Alstyne. He acquired his early edu- 
cation in the common and academic schools, after which he read medi- 
cine with his brother, Dr. Sylvester Van Alstyne, and later with Dr. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. ■ 423 

John Swinburne of Albany. He then took a course of lectures and 
study at the Albany Medical college and was graduated from that in- 
stitution in December, 1862. In January, 1863, Dr. Van Alstyne was 
commissioned by Governor Seymour as assistant surgeon, 3d N. Y. 
Cavalry, and served in that capacity until September, 1864, when he 
was promoted regimental surgeon with the rank of major, and so con- 
tinued until the close of the war. During much of this period, how- 
ever. Dr. Van Alstyne, by seniority rank, served as surgeon of the First 
Brigade, Kautz's Division of Cavalry; and from January 1, 1865, to the 
final muster out he was surgeon in-chief of the second sub-district of 
East Virginia. He was mustered out of service June 27, 1865. In 
connection with his life and service during the war it may be said of 
Dr. Van Alstyne that he was always an active young officer, constantly 
with the men in the field, and thus became a favorite with the entire 
regiment. His acquaintance and relations with the brigade and regi- 
mental officers were also of a pleasant character, and he was once urged 
to accept the lieutenant-colonelcy of the regiment. He declined, but 
had he accepted, a colonel's commission would have been given him 
before the close of the war. Returning from the service to Schoharie 
county, Dr. Van Alstyne practiced medicine in Richmondville until 
1873, when he removed to Binghamton. Since that time he has been 
a successful practitioner in the city, but occasionally varies the some- 
times monotonous routine of professional life with an interested part in 
city or county politics. He is a conservative and somewhat independ- 
ent Republican, not seeking political honors; however, under General 
Harrison's administration, in 1889, Dr. Van Alstyne was appointed a 
member of the Broome county board of medical pension examiners, 
and served in that capacity about two and one-half years. On October 
8, 1868, Dr. John L. Van Alstyne was married to Caroline A., daugh- 
ter of Casper Shults of Troy, N. Y. Of this marriage two children 
were born, Bessie B., wife of Gilbert E. Rodgers, and T. Butler Van 
Alstyne, both of this city. 

Joseph H. Chittenden, who has ranked among the leading physicians 
of this city for a period of thirty-four years, is a native of Greene, Che- 
nango county, born May 23, 1839. His father, Abijah Chittenden, was 
a blacksmith, and removed from Greene to Whitney's Point in 1842, 
Tiierefore Dr. Chittenden has been an almost lifelong resident of this 
county, and all our interests, professional, business and social, have 
been promoted by his life and works. He was educated in the district 



424 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

schools of Whitney's Point, and also in the Susquehanna seminary at 
Bingham'ton, after which he turned his attention to teaching school in 
Steuben county. While there he read medicine under the instruction 
of his brother, Dr. Daniel J. Chittenden of Woodhull, after which he 
attended lectures at the University of New York and still later took a 
regular course in Bellevue Hospital Medical college, where he was 
graduated in 1864. In the spring of the same year he was employed 
by the government as contract army surgeon and was stationed in 
Nashville hospital, Tenn. He was thus occupied with army hospital 
work about eighteen months, and after his services were no longer re- 
quired he returned north and began practice in Binghamton in the fall 
of 1865, in partnership with the late Dr. Charles J. Seymour. The 
firm was dissolved in 1867, since which time Dr. Chittenden has prac- 
ticed without a partner. For many years he has been recognized as 
one of the leading physicians both of the city and county, and also as 
one of our best citizens. He was jail physician for several years; 
school commissioner from 1877 to 1884; president of the board of edu- 
cation in 1881 and 1884; was member of the county board of pension 
examiners under President Garfield's administration and continued in 
office through a portion of President Cleveland's first term. He be- 
came a member of the County Medical society and also a fellow of the 
Academy of Medicine in 1865; was secretary of the society from 1879 
to 1884, and president in 1869-70. He was vice-president of the Acad- 
emy of Medicine from 1889 to 1892. He is a member of the American 
Medical association and was a delegate to the International Medical 
congress held in Berlin, Germany, in 1890. In various other ways has 
Dr. Chittenden been a factor in local history, but further detail is un- 
necessary. Dr. Chittenden married Helen D., daughter of Lyman B. 
Smith. Two sons, Arthur Smith and Walter Lyon Chittenden, were 
born of this marriage. 

David Post Jackson is a native of Montrose, Pa., born November 10, 
1841, and is the son of the late Dr. Thomas Jackson, who is mentioned 
at length in another part of this chapter. In 1842 Dr. Jackson removed 
to Binghamton, and David (he is best known in professional and social 
circles in the city as D. Post Jackson) was educated in Binghamton 
academy and the Susquehanna seminary, both of which were once fa- 
mous village institutions. He was also a student in Hobart college 
three years, after which he entered the College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons of New York, where he was graduated in 1865. Dr. Jackson has 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 425 

always practiced in Binghamton, and is known as a thoroughly compe- 
tent physician. In many ways he has been identified with the city and 
its institutions. For six years he was a member of the city board of 
health and also at one time served as health officer; was coroner and 
United States pension examiner four years (1885-89.) He is past 
sachem of Seminole tribe, I. O. R. M ., and past master of Bingham- 
ton lodge, No. 177, F. & A. M. He became a member of the County 
Medical society in 1865, and was its president in 1888-89. He was 
elected a fellow of the Academy of Medicine in 1865. For more than 
twenty- five years Dr. Jackson has been local medical examiner for the 
Mutual Life Insurance company of New York, and is also the examiner 
for the Travelers Life and Accident companies of Hartford, Conn. 

George F. Hand was born in Binghamton, November 28, 1842, and 
is the eldest son of the late Dr. Stephen D. Hand, the latter one of the 
leading disciples of homeopathy in southern New York. George was 
educated in the Binghamton academy and also the Susquehanna semi- 
nary, where he prepared for a collegiate course. He then began the 
study of medicine under his father's instruction, and supplemented his 
office education with a course of lectures in the medical department of 
Columbia college of New York city and also in the New York Homeo- 
pathic Medical college. He was graduated at the latter institution in 
1865. Returning to Binghamton he formed a partnership with his 
father which continued to the death of the senior partner in 1879. 
Since that time Dr. Hand has practiced without a partner. He cer- 
tainly has been a successful ph3^sician, and his elementary instruction 
in both schools of medicine has been an important factor in that suc- 
cess. He is a member of the county and state Homeopathic Medical 
societies and also of the American Institute of Homeopathy. Dr. Hand 
has been an important factor in Broome county politics, though he is 
not in any sense a politician. He believes in temperance in all things, 
and that belief with him is an immovable principle. Politically, he is 
classed with the Prohibition party and has been its candidate for sev- 
eral public offices. Dr. Hand has been twice married. His first wife 
was Emily S. Caldwell, who died October 29, 1874; a daughter, Julia, 
survives. His second wife was S. Delia Giflford, by whom he has had 
three children, two of whom, George G. and Irving F. Hand, are living. 

Alfred J. Inloes was born in Baltimore, Md., October 6, 1844, and 
was the son of Joseph S. and Martha A. (Reed) Inloes. At the age of 
eight years Alfred's education was begun, and he was kept at a boarding 



426 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

school until he was prepared for college, his father, who was a lawyer, 
intending to provide him with a full course in the University of Virginia. 
About that time, however, the war of 1861-65 was begun and on May 
17, 1861, tie young student enlisted in Co. A, 1st Maryland Infantry 
(afterward merged into the 10th Virginia Infantry) C. S. A., with which 
regiment he served one year. He was mustered out in 1862, and soon 
afterward enlisted in Co. B, 43d Virginia Battalion of Cavalry, serving 
with that command until the close of the war. Returning from the 
service Mr. Inloes became a student in the office of Dr. Edward Warren 
of Baltimore, after which his medical education was finished in the Uni- 
versity of Washington, where he was graduated February 22, 1868. He 
practiced medicine six years in Washington, D. C, after which he went 
into the oil region of Pennsylvania and became managing clerk in a 
large wholesale and retail drug store in Titusville. In 1873 he came 
to Binghamton, and in company with A. N. Perrin and Marcus Brown- 
son, purchased the Brownell & Stocking drug store; for the next ten 
years the firm of A. J. Inloes & Co. was well known in business circles 
in southern New York. At the end of that period the firm went out 
of business, after which the senior partner, who was in fact the active 
member of the firm, resumed the practice of medicine. In 1885 he was 
appointed deputy collector of internal revenue, and served in that ca- 
pacity five years. Still later he was teller in the private banking house 
of Erastus Ross & Sons about four years. On December 2, 1895, Dr. 
Inloes was appointed secretary of the board of education, which posi- 
tion he still holds. Dr. Inloes' connection with the city board of edu- 
cation began in September, 1893, when he was elected a member of 
that body; but his interest in the city and its institutions dates from the 
year he became a citizen of Binghamton. He is a conservative Demo- 
crat, not taking an active part in political contests. In 1881-82 he was 
elected to the board of supervisors from the first ward. Alfred J. In- 
loes married Sarah E., daughter of Joseph Walker of Providence, R.I. 
Of this marriage two children were born, one of whom is now living. 

Francis D. Gridley, who unquestionably is one of the most thorough 
and successful representatives of the Eclectic school of medicine now 
in practice in this region, has been a resident physician of the city since 
1891, and of the county since about 1857. He is a native of Guilford, Che- 
nango county, born October 20, 1833, the son of Eli and Mary (Brigham) 
Gridley. The family removed from Guilford to Steuben county, set- 
tling in the town of Caton, on the western border of Chemung county. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 427 

Here Francis spent his young life, attending school a part of the time, 
but was chiefly engaged in farm work, for his parents were poor and 
his help was needed to maintain them. At length, however, his health 
failed, upon which he went to Norwich and attended school, worked a 
farm, and at the same time read medicine under the direction of Dr. 
Hurlburt, a well known physician of Norwich. After about two years 
he began practice in Whitney's Point, when he was only twenty-two 
years old. He was successful in his professional endeavors, and after 
eight years' residence in that village, having a desire for a still better 
medical education, he attended a course of lectures at the University of 
Medicine and Surgery in Philadelphia. He was graduated in February, 
18G6, and thus equipped with a more thorough professional education, 
he returned to Whitney's Point and was in active successful practice 
until 1891, when he removed to this city. While residing at the Point, . 
Dr. Gridley was an active factor in village affairs; was school trustee 
twenty years and president of the board of education three years ; was vil- 
lage trustee three years and its president two years. In 1887, and again in 
1893, he was elected coroner, and served in that office six years. He is also 
prominently connected with both local and general societies of his school 
of medicine, having been president of the Central New York Eclectic 
society; vice-president of the State Eclectic society, and also having a 
membership in the National Eclectic society. Dr. Gridley's wife was 
Phoebe F. , daughter of Eben Pierce, of Brookfield, Madison county. 
Two children, Frank J. and Carrie May Gridley, were born of this mar- 
riage. 

Daniel S. Burr is a native of Binghamton, born April 24, 1846, and 
is the eldest son of the late Dr. George Burr, an extended sketch of 
whose long and distinguished professional career appears in this chap- 
ter. Daniel acquired his early education in Binghamton academy and 
his medical education in his father's office, the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons of New York, and also in Geneva college, where he was 
graduated in 1868. He practiced medicine in partnership with his 
father until the death of the latter in 1882, and afterward alone. In 
1875 Dr. Burr was commissioned surgeon of the 28th Brigade, N. G., S. 
N. Y. and served until 1877, when he was commissioned assistant sur- 
geon of the 20th Separate company. On May 21, 1883, he was com- 
missioned assistant surgeon, with the rank of captain. In May, 1898, 
he was attached to the 17th Battalion National Guard; was commis- 
sioned surgeon of the 202d N. Y. Vols., June 2, 1898, and served with 



428 BINGHAMTON ITS SETTLEMENT, 

the regiment in Cuba from December 5, 1898, to April 15, 1899, when 
the command was mustered out of service.. He then returned to this 
city and resumed practice. Dr. Burr is a veteran of the city fire de- 
partment, having- begun his service as a member of Excelsior H. & L. 
Co. No. 1, of which he was frequently an officer. He was elected sec- 
ond assistant engineer of the department in 1875 and 1881, first as- 
assistant in 1882, and chief engineer in 1883. He was elected school 
commissioner in 1882, 1883, 1885 and 1887, and also served nine years 
as city health officer, as is shown by the records of that branch of 
municipal government. He was secretary of the County Medical soci- 
ety from 1885 to 1889, and its president in 1883-84. He became a fel- 
low of the Academy of Medicine in 1870. 

Edward E. Snyder one of the ablest representatives of the Hahne- 
mann theory of medicine in this county, and withal one of the best 
physicians of any school in our city, was born in Newark Valley, August 
3, 1848, and is the son of William C. and Eliza (Simmons) Snyder, his 
father having been a successful lumberman and farmer. Edward was 
given a good common school education, after which he, like many of 
our professional men, taught school for a time. He read medicine with 
Dr. J. F. Dykeman of Candor, and afterward attended lectures in Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio. Still later he took a thorough course in the Hahnemann 
Medical college of Philadelphia, and was graduated March 7, 1871. He 
then practiced two years in Candor, after which he took a post-graduate 
course in a noted medical institution in Vienna, Austria. Returning to 
America, he began practice in Milford, Pa., but in February, 1880, be- 
came a resident in Binghamton. In our city Dr. Snyder has a large 
practice, and enjoys the confidence of our people generally. He is a 
member of the County and State Homeopathic Medical societies, and 
also of the American Institute of Homeopathy. He was a delegate to 
the meeting of the International Homeopathic society, held in Atlantic 
City, N. J., and is likewise a member of the state board of medical ex- 
aminers for the University of New York. He was also one of the 
founders of Glenmary, which was opened as a private sanitarium in 
January, 1889, and which has since become one of the most worthy in- 
stitutions in the state for the care, comfort and treatment of persons 
afflicted with bodily or mental disease. Dr. Snyder has been one of the 
consulting physicians of Glenmary since the institution was founded. 

Clark W. Greene is a native of Willett, Cortland county, and was 
born October 30, 1848. He was the son of Gilbert and Theresa (New- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 429 

comb) Greene, the grandson of Henry Greene, the latter a pioneer in 
Cortland county and a descendant of Gen. Nathaniel Greene, the Rev- 
olutionary patriot and close friend of Washington. Clark was educated 
in the district schools, the Cincinnatus academy, where he attended five 
terms, and also in the State Normal school at Albany, where he was 
graduated January 26, 1870. He read medicine with Dr. Gilbert Le 
Roy Newcomb, of New York, and took a three years' course in Bellevue 
Hospital Medical college, where he graduated March 1, 1873. He be- 
gan practice in Chenango Forks, this county, in April, 1873, and, with 
the exception of about one and one-half years spent in Albany, he lived 
in that village until April, 1894, when he came to this city. In August, 
1889, Dr. Greene was appointed to the board of medical examiners for 
pensioners and served during President Harrison's administration. He 
was reappointed July 1, 1897, under President McKinley, and has since 
served as member and secretary of the board. In professional circles 
Dr. Greene is known as a competent, careful and thorough physician. 
He has been one of the directors of the Peoples' bank since its organ- 
ization. He became a member of the County Medical society in 1873, 
and was its president in 1879-80. He was made a fellow of the Bing- 
hamton Academy of Medicine in 1894; was its vice-president in 1896, 
and president in 1897. In 1885 he became a member of the State 
Medical association. In December, 1898, Dr. Greene was elected presi- 
dent of the Y. M. C. A. of this city. On March 4, 1873, he married 
Emma V., daughter of Charles Smith of Albany. Two daughters, 
Alice Theresa and Elizabeth Smith Greene, both of whom were gradu- 
ated from the Lady Jane Grey school in June, 1899, were born of this 
marriage. The family are members of the First Congregational church, 
the doctor being one of its deacons. 

Alfred J. Butterfield, physician, oculist and aurist, is a native of Cort- 
land county, and was born July 6, 1851. His early education was ac- 
quired in the Dryden and Lisle academies, at both of which he was 
graduated. He then read medicine with Drs. Totman and Baker, of 
Syracuse, and still later attended the medical department of the Uni- 
versity of Pennsylvania, where he was graduated in 1872. He began 
practice at Elbridge, Onondaga county, where he lived six years, and 
then took a two years' course in the New York Eye and Ear infirmary, 
under Drs. MittendorflE and Derby, specialists of much prominence. 
From New York he went to Cincinnati, where he finished his special 
studies in the Eclectic Medical institute, and was graduated. Dr. But- 



430 . BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

terfield then practiced in Syracuse one year, and came to Binghamton 
in 1881, remaining- until 1887, when, on account of his wife's and his 
own health, he removed to Georgia and lived ten years in the south. 
He returned to this city in 1897 and has since been in active and suc- 
cessful practice. In professional circles Dr. Butterfield is known as an 
excellent physician and skilled specialist in diseases of eye and ear. He 
was graduated both at Allopathic and Eclectic medical institutions, yet 
is a firm believer in and practitioner of homeopathy, and is a member 
of the Broome County Homeopathic Medical society. On March 25, 
1873, Dr. Butterfield married Josephine Jennings, of Harford, Cort- 
land county. Four children have been born of the marriage. 

Le Roy Dwight Farnham, son of Enos S. Farnham and Carissa V. 
(Dwight) Farnham way born at Tioga, N. Y. (near Owego), July 24, 
1850. On November 7, 1878, he married Coralyn P. Thompson, daugh- 
ter of Jerome Th^ompson, of Candor, N. Y. She is of Connecticut 
lineage and a daughter of the American Revolution. They have one 
child, Dwight Thompson Farnham, born at Candor, in 1881. He is a 
student at Phillips academy at Andover, Mass., preparing for Yale 
university. Dr. Farnham spent the first thirteen years of his life at 
Dryden, N. Y. (where his father was engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness), attending the common schools and Dryden academy. He then 
removed to Tioga, N. Y., his birthplace, where for three years he 
worked on the farm and attended school during the winter. From 1866 
to 1869 he attended Owego academy, preparing for college. In 1869 
he went to the Oswego State Normal school, graduating from the classi- 
cal department in 1872. He was principal of Candor Free academy 
from 1873 to 1878. In 1878 he graduated from College of Physicians 
and Surgeons of New York city as doctor of medicine. He practiced 
medicine in Candor from 1878 to 1884, when he went to New York 
city and took a post graduate course. In 1884 he sailed for Germany, 
where he spent the years 1884 and 1885 in the study of medicine in 
the hospitals of Berlin and Vienna. In 1886 he began practice in this 
city. Dr. Farnham has been president of Tioga Count/ Medical society, 
the Broome County Medical society and also president of the Bingham- 
ton Academy of Medicine. He is a member of New York State Medical 
association, and was a member of the Tenth International Congress at 
Berlin in 1890. He is now consulting surgeon at Binghamton City 
hospital, and was a charter member of Binghamton Academy of 
Science. He is a member of the Binghamton Club, the Broome 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 431 

County Country club, and is also a member of the New York Society 
of Mayflower Descendants, being a lineal descendant of Capt. Miles 
Standish, John Alden and Priscilla Mullins. He is a descendant of 
Ralph Farnham, who landed in Boston in 1635, and also of John Dwight, 
of Dedham, Mass., who landed in America in 1634. The doctor is also 
a member of Otseningo lodge, F. and A. M., Binghamton Chapter of 
Royal Arch Masons, and Malta Commandery of Knights Templar. 

A. Judson Osborn, county coroner from 1884 to 1887, and a resident 
practitioner in this city since 1878, is a native of Colesville, born April 
16, 1846. He was the son of Orris and Elizabeth (Burnett) Osborn, 
who settled in Colesville in 1845. On his father's side the doctor is of 
English, and on his mother's side, of Holland Dutch descent. His pa- 
ternal ancestor was a Connecticut Yankee, whose father was a patriot 
of the Revolution, living at Fairfield when that .settlement was burned 
by the Indians. At the time of the battle he hurriedly stored his house- 
hold goods in his cellar (expecting plunder, but not the torch), crossed 
his garden and was just jumping over the bars of a fence when a Brit- 
ish cannon ball struck the barpost. He escaped with two bullet holes 
in his clothing, but his house and its contents were burned. Dr. Os- 
born lived at home on his father's farm until he was about eighteen 
years old. He was educated in the district school and also in the old 
Binghamton academy. He devoted several winters to teaching, after 
which he completed his early education in Brockport Normal school, 
where he was graduated in 1871. Later on he was principal of Naples 
academy (Ontario county) one year, Franklin academy (Steuben county) 
two years. Ten Broeck academy (Cattaraugus county) one year, and 
of the Greene (Chenango county) Union school one year. He then 
read medicine with Dr. Williams, of Greene, and with Dr. Chittenden, 
of this city, after which he attended Long Island college hospital, and 
was graduated in June, 1878. Soon afterward Dr. Osborn began prac- 
tice in this city. 

Menzo Barkman, physician, wholesale and retail druggist, and origi- 
nator of the popular low price system in the sale of proprietary medi- 
cines which now prevails in our city, came to Binghamton in the spring 
of 1894 and purchased the large drug store for many years kept by 
Henry A. Smith. Dr. Barkman is a native of Broome, Schoharie 
county, and was born October 5, 1855. He is the son of Daniel D. and 
Esther (Becker) Barkman, his father being now retired from business 
life. Menzo was well educated in the common schools, and also at the 



1 



433 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Schoharie academy, where he was graduated. He then taught school 
four or five years, and during a portion of that time read medicine with 
Dr. John Rossman, of Middleburg, and Dr. John Houghtailing, of Gal- 
lupville. He was graduated at Albany Medical college in 1879, and 
soon began practice at Schodack Landing, where he lived three years. 
For the next ten years he practiced in Waterford, from which place he 
removed to Geneva and became proprietor of a large drug store in con- 
nection with his professional work. From the latter place he came to 
this city in 1894, and succeeded to the old and popular drug store pre- 
viously owned by Henry A. Smith. Dr. Barkham is a competent phy- 
sician, a safe medical counselor, and a capable business man. All our 
citizens owe him a debt of gratitude for his enterprise and courage in 
having established the "cut rate " system in the sale of proprietaries. 
Naturally and deservedly, he has a large trade and finds little time to 
devote to practice outside the store. His stock is the largest in his line 
in the Southern tier. Dr. Barkman's wife was Catherine, daughter of 
Alfred Mull, of Schodack Landing. 

Thomas Butler Van Alstyne, a practicing physician residing on the 
*' North Side" in our city for the last five years, is a native of Rich- 
mondville, Schoharie county, born October 2, 1858, and is the son of the 
late Dr. Sylvester M. Van Alstyne of that village. Thomao was edu- 
cated in the village schools, Delaware Literary institute, and the once 
famous Hartwick seminary. He read medicine under the direction of 
his father, and also with Dr. John Swinburne and Lewis Balch, both of 
the faculty of Albany Medical college. He was a student in that noted 
institution, and was graduated January 27, 1879. For the next year he 
was resident physician and surgeon in the Albany hospital, after which 
he took a year's course of instruction in the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons, graduating May 13, 1881, and standing third in a class of 120 
medical students. Soon afterward, at his father's suggestion, he began 
practice at Richmondville, intending to remain there temporarily, or 
until he should become thoroughly conversant with the methods of pro- 
fessional life; bnt the sudden death of his father, in 1882, necessitated 
a change in his plans and he lived and practiced in his native village, 
with an almost unexpected degree of success, until 1893. He then went 
to Grand Island, Neb., where he practiced a little less than one year, 
and returned home in January, 1894. In July following he came to 
this city and opened an office on Chenango street on the "North Side." 
Although there was no special attraction to induce Dr. Van Alstyne to 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 433 

locate in our city, he has never had reason to regret the action, as he 
soon became firmly established in a large and increasing practice. His 
professional equipment is admirably adapted to life and practice, added 
to which is the native quality of determination of character; hence his 
success in this field. The doctor is a fellow of the Binghamton Acad- 
emy of Medicine and a member of the County Medical society. In 
Richmondville he was at one time president of the Schoharie County 
Medical society. In this city in May, 1898, he was appointed medical 
member of the board of health. On April 12, 1882, Dr. Van Alstyne 
married Edna Mann of Richmondville. She died April 19, 1892, leav- 
ing two daughters. On July 24, 1894, Dr. Van Alstyne married Alida 
Mann, also of Richmondville. 

Frederick Wallace Putnam was born in Truxton, N. Y., October 12, 
1856, and was the son of William Wallace and Philinda (Pierce) Putnam. 
He was educated at Homer academy, and was graduated in 187G. His 
medical education was begun in 1877 by a course of reading under Dr. 
H. C. Hendrick of McGrawville, after which he took a regular course at 
the University Medical college of the city of New York, and was grad- 
uated February 17, 1880. Dr. Putnam at once began practice in this 
city, and is now recognized — we can say it without exaggeration — as 
one of our best physicians. He is a member of the Broome County 
Medical society and was its president in 1886. He is also a member of 
the Binghamton Academy of Medicine, and of the New York State 
Medical association, being one of its founders and vice-presidents in 1894. 
He was city school commissioner in 1882-84. No citizen of Bingham- 
ton is more prominent than he in Masonic circles, and he possesses a 
valuable Masonic library. His present collection of works represents 
four years of persistent effort, and numbers 500 volumes and about 800 
pamphlets, many of which are both rare and valuable. His complete 
library numbers 1,400 volumes. The doctor himself is a thirty-third 
degree Mason; a member of Binghamton lodge No. 177; principal so- 
journer, Binghamton Royal Arch chapter; past master of the Cryptic 
Rite; generalissimo of Malta commandery; master of the Rose Croix, 
A. A, S. R. ; past patron and foreign correspondent, Order of the Eastern 
Star. He is also a member of the subordinate lodge of Odd Fellows 
and the Daughters of Rebekah; past sachem, I.O.R.M. ; a noble of 
the Mystic Shrine, and a Veiled Prophet. Much valuable data of the 
history of Free Masonry in Binghamton is furnished through the kind- 
ness of Dr. Putnum. 
28 



434 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

A. Eugene Magoris was born in New York city, March 31, 1855, and 
was the third of eight children in the family of Philip and Mary A. 
Magoris. The elder Magoris and his wife were Scotch immigrants, 
who came to the United States in 1855, stopping temporarily in New York 
and afterward settling in Cayuga county, where he was an industrious 
farmer. Eugene acquired his early education in the public schools of 
Tompkins county, the Ithaca academy, and also the Cortland Normal 
school, where he was graduated in 1876. In this year, and before his 
graduation, our young normal student was principal of a school at Chit- 
tenango. Indeed he began teaching when he was only fifteen years old, 
for he was obliged to maintain as well as educate himself. This condi- 
tion developed and cultivated in him the qualities of independence and 
self-reliance, which have been powerful factors in his later achievements 
and the success in life which has been his reward. In June, 1877, then 
known by the distinguishing title of "Professor," Mr. Magoris came 
to this city, having been employed by the board of education as assist- 
ant principal, and teaching the sciences department in the Central High 
school. He was connected with our schools for the next two and one- 
half years, but during that time and even earlier, he was preparing 
himself for the medical profession. To this end he took a special course 
of study under the distinguished Agassiz, of New Bedford, Mass., and 
also under Dr. Burt G. Wilder of Cornell university. He was a medi- 
cal student in the University of New York, and also the Long Island 
College hospital, and was graduated June 30, 1880. He at once began 
practice in this city and has been a member of the profession here al- 
most twenty years. He took up special practice as oculist and aurist, 
succeeding Dr. John E. Hurlbut, and soon gained a large clientage. 
Not only has Dr. Magoris been remarkably succeessful in his practice, 
but he has invented several medical instruments which are of great 
value to the profession at large. In 1888 he purchased a valuable sani- 
tarium property at Watkins and developed it into a well patronized and 
successful health resort. Early in this latter enterprise he saw the need 
of and invented the " Magoris Cactus Fibre brush," which he manufac- 
tured in Binghamton. He was also the founder of the Standard Phar- 
macal company, of Binghamton. The company was established in 
1894, and was incorporated in 1897, Dr. Magoris being its secretary 
and treasuaer. 

Thomas Sawyer Turner, who has practiced medicine in this city since 
1894 and is known as one of the most competent surgeons in Broome 




i 



A. E. MAGORIS, M. D. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 435 

county, is a native of Durham, Maine, born May 9, 1848. His early 
education was acquired in the common schools, Union academy at Co- 
rinna, Maine, and Towles academy at Winthrop, Maine. He is a self- 
made' man and all his achievements are the result of unaided struggle, 
having cared for himself since he could earn a shilling a day. He be- 
gan teaching when he was sixteen years old and followed it for about 
six years, first in district and later in graded schools, one winter being 
spent in this state, at Hammond, St. Lawrence county. He concluded 
he was not competent to follow teaching and went to Whitinsville, 
Mass. , at work in a machine shop. After working awhile he was offered 
a situation in the large corporation store there which he accepted and 
remained about two years, when he returned to the shop for higher 
wages. He then decided to study law and made arrangements to enter 
the office of Judge Moulton of Fall River, Mass., but was suddenly 
called back to Maine to assume charge of a drug store at Mechanic 
Falls. This he had to give up in about a year on account of ill health. 
He then took charge of the stock department in the Denison paper mill, 
where he remained until 1875 when he began the study of medicine in 
the office of Dr. William Walters of that place. He took his first course 
at the Boston University School of Medicine of that year, but completed 
his studies at the New York Homoeopathic college, graduating in 
March, 1879. He first located at Norway, Oxford county, Maine, and 
remained there about five years, but the long hard rides compelled him 
to seek a city practice, and he went to Dayton, Ohio. After a few years 
he sold his practice and returned east, locating at Huntington, Long 
Island, N. Y., when he later settled in Brooklyn, N. Y., until coming 
to Bin'ghamton as stated above. Soon after coming here he became 
associa1;ed with Dr. Corwin and opened the Corwin sanitorium at 104 
Main street, for the medical and surgical treatment of chronic diseases, 
giving special attention to gynecology and rectal diseases. He was the 
first surgeon in this section of the state to do a vaginal hysterectomy 
without using the clamp or ligature, and he has removed all the female 
generative organs without ligating a single blood vessel or usmg a 
hamaeostatic forcep. He is very cautious and conservative, and many 
a man with less skill and ability would have made a bold strike for fame 

and fortune. 

Alfred Pearce Yelvington was born in Poughkeepsie, January 12, 
1859 and is the son of the late Dr. C. H. Yelvington, of whom mention 
is m'ade is this chapter. Alfred was educated in the Susquehanna 



436 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

borough schools, and studied medicine under the preceptorship of his 
distinguished father. He attended the Eclectic Medical college of the 
city of New York, and was graduated in March, 1880. He began prac- 
tice in New Milford, Pa., but a few months later associated in business 
with his father and so continued both in Susquehanna and this city un- 
til the death of the elder doctor in May, 1899. He then succeeded to 
the entire practice of the former firm and now has taken a place among 
the prominent eclectics of the southern tier. On June 18, 1884, Alfred 
P, Yelvington married Jennie Wadsworth. They have one child. 

Charles Gray Wagner, physician and superintendent of the Bingham- 
ton State hospital, is a native of Minden, in old historic Montgomery 
county, and is descended from one of the pioneer families of the Mo- 
hawk valley. He was educated in the Utica public schools, and Cor- 
nell university, where he was graduated in 1880. He read medicine 
with Dr. Burt G. Wilder of Cornell university, and also with Dr. 
Alonzo Churchill, of Utica, N. Y. He then entered the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons of New York city, and was graduated in 1882. 
He served on the staff of the Presbyterian hospital of New York city, 
both as physician and surgeon, for a period of two years, and in the fall 
of 1884 was appointed assistant physician in the Utica State hospital, 
serviag in that capacity until 1889, when he went abroad to investigate 
the methods of treatment in the institutions for the insane of Europe. 
In the early part of 1893 he was appointed superintendent of the Bing- 
hamton State hospital as successor to Dr. Theodore S. Armstrong, who 
died in December, 1891. Since his appointment Dr. Wagner has been 
a resident of our city, and aside from his official connection with the 
State hospital he is prominently identified with several of our best in- 
stitutions. He is president of the Dobson club; a member of the 
Binghamton club and of the Broome County club; of the Broome 
County Medical society, and its president in 1895; a fellow of the Bing- 
hamton Academy of Medicine; a member of the State Medical society; 
the Utica Medical Library association, the Oneida County Medical 
society and the Medico-Psychological association of the United States 
and Canada. He is a trustee of Cornell university and a special 
lecturer on mental diseases in that institution. 

M. G. Cunningham, who since the early part of July, 1888, has been 
an active practicing physician and surgeon of this city, is a native of 
Little Meadows, Pa., born May 28, 1856. His father was a substantial 
Susquehanna county farmer, and old resident of that locality, who took 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 437 

an earnest interest in the welfare of his town and in the education of 
its youth. His son, of whom we write in this brief sketch, lived at 
home until he was about fourteen years old, and attended the district 
schools. He then became a more advanced pupil in Owego academy, 
and still later graduated at Lowell's Commercial college in this city. 
He next became a student in the State Normal school at Bloomsburg, 
Pa., where he prepared for college. He entered Alleghany college at 
Meadville, Pa., in 1874, and was graduated in 1878 His medical edu- 
cation was begun in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New 
York, where he was graduated in 1882, after a four years' course; but 
in the meantime he devoted considerable time to study outside of the 
college course, first with Dr. Henry Eastman, of Ovvego, and later with 
Dr. Charles K. Wilkin of New York city. Dr. Cunningham's first pro- 
fessional work was performed as physician and surgeon to St. Vincent's 
hospital in New York, to which position he was appointed as the result 
of a competitive examination, he being the successful contestant. After 
a year and a half in the hospital he went abroad and devoted two more 
years to study in Berlin and Vienna, the acknowledged centers of med- 
ical skill and science in Europe. While abroad Dr. Cunningham de- 
voted himself to the study both of medicine and surgery, under several 
of the most renowned scientists of Germany and Austria; and when 
he returned to the United States in 1885, and began his professional 
career in Scranton, Pa., he was unquestionably one of the most thor- 
oughly educated physicians of that enterprising city. Three years 
later, on July 3, 1888, Dr. Cunningham took up his residence in Bing- 
hamton. He is a member of the County Medical society, a fellow of 
the Binghamton Academy of Medicine, and a member of the City hos- 
pital staff. 

Ira Adelbert Hix, our energetic city health officer, selected Bingham- 
ton as a place of residence and professional work in 1893. He is a na- 
tive of the town of Jefferson, Schoharie county, and was born March 8, 
1859. He was the son of Eber Hix, jr., a farmer, grandson of Eber 
M. Hix, sen , and a great-grandson of Chase Hix, a Rhode Islander 
by birth and a pioneer in Jefferson, where he settled about 1817. Chase 
Hix was an old revolutionary patriot and enlisted in the American ser- 
vice three times, first when a mere boy. His determined spirit seems 
to have been inherited by Dr. Hix, for while not a military man in any 
sense, he nevertheless, almost unaided, acquired an education and 
worked his way into the ranks of the profession in the face of many 



438 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

obstacles and embarrassments. He read medicine with Dr. D. M. Leon- 
ard of Broome Center, and afterward entered the medical department 
of the University of the City of New York, where he was graduated 
in 1883. He began practice at Charlotteville, Schoharie county, remain- 
ing there two years, and then removed to East Worcester, Otsego county, 
where he lived eight years. He then determined to seek some new field, 
where the practice of medicine found wider range and promised a better 
recompense than in a country district, hence, in 1893, he came to this 
city; and subsequent events have shown the wisdom of Dr. Hix's judg- 
ment, as he is now looked upon as one of our best physicians. He was 
appointed health officer of the city June 2, 1898, and has proven one of 
the most competent incumbents of that position. He was president of 
the Broome County Medical society in 1897-98, and for three years was 
attending physician at the City hospital. He is also a fellow of the 
Binghamton Academy of Medicine. On February 6, 1884, Dr. Hix 
married Carrie, daughter of Deacon Benjamin W. Gage of Charlotte- 
ville. Two children, a son, Eber B., and a daughter, Jennie B., have 
been born of this marriage. Dr. Hix's mother was Catharine Harriet 
Moak. 

George Newell Hall, surgeon for the Erie Railroad company in this 
city, is a native of Barker, Broome county, born July 23, 1861. He is 
the son of Dr. O. C. Hall of Whitney's Point, and the grandson of Will- 
iam Hall, the latter one of the pioneers of the town of Chenango and a 
descendant of good old New England stock. The doctor was educated 
in the Whitney's Point High school, where he graduated in 1880. He 
read medicine with his father and completed his medical education in 
Syracuse university, where he was graduated in 1883. After practicing 
with his father about nine months, he struck out for Pennsylvania, and 
was licensed by the University of Pennsylvania, as required by the laws 
of that state, after which he practiced a little less than a year at East New 
Milford; but having a preference for city work, he came to Binghamton 
in 1884 and began practice. He is well known in the city and has a 
particularly large acquaintance in the northern part of the county. 
Since 1887 Dr. Hall has been resident surgeon for the Erie Railroad 
company, and since 1892 he has been a member of the county board of 
medical examiners for pensions. In 1884 he was jail physician. The 
doctor is a fellow of the Binghamton Academy of Medicine, vice-presi- 
dent of New York State Railroad Surgeons association and surgeon of 
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. On July 6, 1882, George New- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 439 

ell Hall married Myrtie Dell, daughter of Lovaine T. Mason, of Whit- 
ney's Point. One son, Collins L. N. Hall, has been born of their mar- 
riage. 

Frank P. Hough was added to the medical profession in this city in 
1890, and was one of the strong contingent of native Pennsylvanians who 
have so naturally contributed to the growth and business importance of 
Binghamton during the last score of years. Mr. Hough was born near 
Mill City, Wyoming county. Pa., March 13, 1859. His education was 
acquired in the common schools, the Keystone academy at Factory ville, 
and also at the Wyoming seminary, where he was graduated in 1881. 
He read medicine with his brother, Dr. Thomas Hough, of Lake Como, 
Pa., and finished his course at Jefferson Medical college, Philadelphia, 
where he was graduated in 1881. His post-graduate course was taken 
at the famous Philadelphia Polyclinic institute just previous to Dr. 
Hough's coming to this city. From 1884 to about 1890 he practiced in 
Equinunk, Pa. In this city he is regarded as a bright young repre- 
sentative of his profession and is highly regarded by all our people. 
He is a fellow of the Binghamton Academy of Medicine, and was once 
its president; he is also a member of county medical societies, and 
of the American Medical association. In 1894 he went abroad, visiting 
in England, France, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium. While 
abroad he visited s^me of the hospitals in London, Paris and Heidel- 
berg. In 1896 Dr. Hough was elected school commissioner in the 
second city district, and served two years as member of the board of 
education. In November, 1899, he was elected alderman of the Third 
ward. 

Elizabeth Corwin, the subject of this sketch, awakens a genuine in- 
terest in all who are watching the progress of human society, and es- 
pecially the social progress of women, as her career as a physician is 
another proof that women in medicine has ceased to be " a novelty " 
and that their presence in colleges, at the hospitals, in clinical engage- 
ments and with the sick no longer excites particular comment, but that 
social conditions have created emergencies that the hitherto regular ar- 
rangements of life will not meet. Understanding the details of farm 
and home life her special care has been for sick and wounded animals 
during her early life, this seeming to foretell her later profession. Dr. 
Elizabeth Corwin has for a dozen years occupied a prominent place 
among the women physicians. She is a native of Middletown, Orange 
county, N. Y., a descendant from one of the pioneers of Orange county 



440 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

and from a Massachusetts ancestor of 1634. She was graduated at the 
New York Medical college and hospital for women in 1886, com- 
menced the practice of medicine with Dr. M. Belle Brown, present dean 
of this college. The greater part of this time has been spent in the 
general practice of medicine in this city and for five years she has pro- 
vided hygienic, medical and surgical care for chronic invalids at her 
sanatorium. Dr. Corwin has always assumed that medicine is a pro- 
gressive science, and her mind has been open to impressions from any 
quarter from whence a sound impulse was to be expected. The one 
object of her practice has been the cure of the patient; she has always 
been ready to regard as worthy of investigation, anything that had a 
demonstrated capacity to attain that end. To such as she, of the noble 
army of healers, speaks the beloved poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning: 

" Ask God to give thee skill 

In comfort's art, 
That thou may'st 

Consecrated be, 
And set apart 

Unto a life of sympathy; 
For heavy is the weight of ill in every heart 
And comforters are needed much 
Of Christ like touch. 
A child's kiss set on thy sighing lips, shall make thee glad; 
A poor man served by thee, shall make thee rich, 
A sick man helped by thee, shall make thee strong, 
Thou shalt be served thyself by every sense 
Of services which thou renderest." 

Dr. Corwin is a m'ember of the American Institute of Homoeopathy, 
New York State Medical society, Interstate Medical society, Broome 
County Homoeopathic Medical society. Post Graduate Alumni associa- 
tion of the Chicago Homoeopathic Medical college and the American 
Association of Orificial Surgeons. 

William S. Overton is a native of Sag Harbor, L. I., born December 
9, 186-4. He was educated in the Sag Harbor school, from which he 
was graduated in 1880, and then studied at the Brooklyn Polytechnic 
institute. In 1884 he was graduated from the New York College of 
Pharmacy, after which he studied medicine under the preceptorship of 
Dr. Benjamin Ayers, and at the same time was a medical student in 
the Long Island college hospital. He was graduated in 1887 and soon 
afterward began practice in Brooklyn. After a year he located at Har- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 441 

ford, Pa., where he practiced four years and at the same time acted as 
visiting physician to the Pennsylvania State Orphan school at that 
place. In 1892 Dr. Overton came to this city and has taken a position 
among our rising young physicians. He is well equipped by nature 
and education to contend with the embarrassments that beset profes- 
sional life in an interior city, and indeed appears already to have over- 
come all such obstacles. Since April 1, 1899, he has been one of the 
corps of visiting physicians of our City hospital. He became a fellow 
of the Academy of Medicine in 1896, and is a member of the County 
Medical society. 

Charles Austin Ward, physician and surgeon, is a native of Holland 
Patent, Oneida county, born September 8, 1862 He is the son of 
Charles A. Ward, a substantial farmer of Oneida county, and the grand- 
son of the late Austin Ward, one of the foremost men of Holland 
Patent for many years. He was a man of influence and determined 
character, a strong abolitionist and a friend and co worker of Gerrit 
Smith during the anti-slavery agitation period. Austin Ward's home 
was a well known station on the " Underground Railroad " leading from 
the slave states to the Canadas. Dr. Ward acquired his early education 
in the district schools and also the Holland Patent High school, but 
during this period of his early life he taught a district school and the 
Stittsville Union school, having been principal of the latter institution 
one year. He also attended the UticaBusinesscollege, taking a special 
course in penmanship and bookkeeping. In 1882, then being twenty 
years old, he came to Deposit, in this county, where for a year he was 
clerk in Ford & Rogers' store. He afterward spent a few months in 
Michigan, but then returned to this state and began a course of medical 
study under the direction of Dr. W. T. Laird, a leading homeopathist of 
Watertown. He then entered the New York Homeopathic Medical col- 
lege hospital, and was graduated in 1887, having completed a full three 
years' course in two years. Dr. Ward began his professional careeV as 
physician-in-chief in the noted Daaconess hospital in New York city, his 
appointment to that position being the result of a competitive examina- 
tion, in which he was the successful candidate. Notwithstanding the 
desirability of this position. Dr. Ward resigned within the course of a 
few months and yielding to the persuasions of Rodney A. Ford and 
others, he came to Binghamton in 1887 and began the general practice 
of medicine; and regardless of whatever may have been the doctor's 
subsequent opinion concerning the wisdom of this step, the people of 



442 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

Binghamton have had no reason to regret his action, for he is regarded 
as one of the leading homeopathic physicians of the city. For a 
time he was partner with Dr. Butterfield, but generally he practiced 
alone until 1898, when his younger brother. Dr. William F. Ward, be- 
came his professional associate. Dr. Ward is a member of the County 
Homeopathic Medical society; was its first vice-president in 1891 and 
president in 1892. He is also a member of the State and Inter-State 
Homeopathic Medical societies and of the American Institute of Home- 
opathy. On October 27, 1887, Charles A. Ward married Anna, second 
daughter of William L. Ford of Deposit, Two children have been born 
of their marriage. 

DeWitt H. McGraw was born in McGrawville, Cortland county, 
August 20, 1856. He is the youngest of three children of the late De 
Witt C. McGraw. De Witt H. McGraw was educated in the teachers' 
training department of the Cortland Normal school, and also in the 
Binghamton City High school, where he graduated in 1878; still later 
he was a student in Cornell university, and was graduated in 1883. He 
read medicine in this city and afterward attended the New York 
Homeopathic Medical college and hospital, from which he was graduated 
in 1888. Dr. McGraw at once began practice and by close attention to 
business and a thorough knowledge of his profession he has taken a 
place among the leading and most successful physicians. He was for 
five years a member of the staff of the City hospital. He is a member 
of the Inter-State Medical society and of the State and County Medical 
societies. He was secretary and treasurer of the latter society in 
1888-89, second vice-president in 1890, first vice-president in 1892, and 
president in 1893. 

Frank Ellsworth Slater was born in the town of Triangle, No- 
vember 27, 1802. His father was Deacon Milo Slater, a farmer, and 
his grandfather was Ira Slater, an early settler in northern Broome 
county. Dr. Slater's mother was Affa Dudley, who was descended on 
her mother's side from a prominent early family in northern Pennsyl- 
vania. Elder Davis Dimmock, who administered the first communion 
to the little flock of five original Baptist church members in Bingham- 
ton in 1827, was a brother of Dr. Slater's maternal grandmother. She 
also had another brother who attained a prominent position on the 
bench in Pennsylvania, and was known as Judge Dimmock. Dr. Slater 
was educated in the district schools of Triangle, the Binghamton High 
school, and also in the Normal school at Fredonia. He then went west 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 443 

and spent several years in Nebraska and Utah, working a part of 
the time as cashier for the Pullman company, with headquarters at 
Ogden. However, in 1885, he returned east and soon afterward began 
the study of medicine with Dr. A. P. Blair of McDonough, Chenango 
county. He attended the medical department of the University of the 
City of New York and was graduated in the spring of 1889. Thus 
equipped for active professional life Dr. Slater at once began practice 
in this city. Among his professional associates he is known as a care- 
ful, thorough and competent physician, and in the locality in which he 
lives he is known as a successful doctor, with a large practice. While 
his time is devoted closely to his work. Dr. Slater has taken an active 
interest in the public affairs of his ward and the city. He was elected 
school commissioner in the first district in 1893, serving on the board of 
education two years and was again elected for a short time in 1896. He 
was elected alderman of the First ward in 1894, serving two years; at 
the annual session of the board of supervisors in 1894, he was appointed 
jail physician. These three offices he held at one time, and their duties, 
with his practice made him a particularly busy man for some time. We 
may here mention the fact, which, however, is pretty well known 
throughout the city, that Dr. Slater is a firm Republican, while his 
ward is strongly Democratic. At the age of twenty-one years he be- 
came a Mason, and is a member by afifiliation of Otseningo lodge. He 
is also a Sir Knight in Malta commandery. Professionally, he is a 
member of the County Medical society, and a fellow of the Binghamton 
Academy of Medicine. Dr. Slater's wife, with whom he married June 
3, 1896, is Josie, daughter of the late Rev. Josiah L. Parrish. In 1839 
Mr. Parrish, a native of this state and missionary of the M. E. church, 
voyaged around Cape Horn, and thence to the Pacific coast, where he 
devoted his life to the work of the Master for a period of more than 
half a century. He died in 1895. 

Lester Horton Qauckenbush wasbornin Davenport, Delaware county, 
January 11, 1862. He was educated in the district schools and also in 
Unadilla academy, from which he was graduated in 1886. He then 
taught a district school seven winter terms, and during a portion of 
that time he devoted his evening hours to the study of law, both as a 
diversion and for the knowledge of legal principles thereby acquired. 
He read medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. John G. Martin, of 
Otego, and attended lectures at the medical department of the Univer- 
sity of New York, where he was graduated in 1889. Dr. Quackenbush 



444 BINGHAMTON ITS SETTLEMENT, 

beg-an his professional career at East Meredith, N. Y., where he re- 
mained about two years, removing thence to Schenevus, where he prac- 
ticed about the same length of time. In 1893 he attended the Post- 
Graduate Medical school of New York, and in the fall of that year he 
became a resident ph3'sician of this city. Dr. Quackenbush is com- 
paratively a young professional man in Binghamton, yet he has succeeded 
in building up a gratifying clientage. He has formed an extensive 
and favorable acquaintance in the city, and in the strong Republican 
Third ward in the fall of 1897, he was the successful candidate for the 
office of alderman. The doctor is a firm, yet consistent Democrat, 
and has many warm friends in the opposite party. He is a member of 
the Otsego and Broome County Medical societies, and also a fellow of 
the Bmghamton Academy of Medicine. On September 21, 1892, Lester 
H. Quackenbush married Abbie C, daughter of John McHarg, for- 
merly of Scheneviis. 

Charles S. Winters, a practicing physician in this city for the last ten 
years, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Lanesboro, January 29, 1864. 
When about ten years old he came to live with relatives in Bingham- 
ton, and was educated in the city schools, beginning with the fourth 
grade and working through term after term until he was graduated at 
the Binghamton City High school with the class of 1884. He then 
won a competitive free scholarship in Cornell university and entered 
that famous institution in September, 1884, taking a course in arts and 
graduating in 1888. At the same time he took a medical preparatory 
course, which gave him an advanced standing in the New York Home- 
opathic Medical college and hospital, where he next became a student. 
In 1890 Dr. Winters was graduated at the medical college and at once 
began practice in this city. For five years he was surgeon on the City 
hospital staff, and then resigned on account of his increasing practice, 
which demanded his entire attention. The doctor is a member and at 
one time was secretary of the Broome County Homeopathic Medical 
society, and also of the Inter-State Homeopathic Medical association, 
of which he was one of the founders and for five years its secretary. 
On June 21, 1893, Dr. Winters married Lou Marion, daughter of Rev. 
Charles N. Rice, of Union. One daughter has been born of their 
marriage. 

Charles R. Seymour is a native of Albany, N. Y., born March 11, 
1870, and is a son of Edward W. and Harriet (Graveline) Seymour, his 
father having been a contractor and builder in Albany previous to 1877, 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 445 

and of this city for the last twenty-two years. Charles was educated 
in our ward schools and also in the Central High school. He read 
medicine with Dr. J. F. Pratt, after which, in the fall of 1889, he en- 
tered the Albany Medical college, where he was graduated April 27 
1892. He at once began practice in this city, and is known among his 
professional associates as an active, thorough young physician and sur- 
geon. He is a member of the Broome County Medical society, and a 
fellow of the Binghamton Academy of Medicine. For a period of ten 
years Dr. Seymour has been a member of the 20th vSeparate company, 
N. G.,N. Y., and is assistant surgeon, with the rank of first lieutenant. 
Dr. Seymour's wife, with whom he married June 2, 1897, was Nellie 
M. Clark, daughter of James E. Clark of this city. 

Henry S, Hutchinson is a native of Portsmouth, N. H., born Decem- 
ber 15, 1866. He is the son of John Holt Hutchinson, a merchant 
jeweler of Portsmouth, a man highly esteemed for his benevolence, 
Christian character and public spirit. Dr. Hutchinson was educated in 
the Portsmouth public schools, and also in Dartmouth college, gradu- 
ating in 1890. He studied medicine in New York city under Dr. Will- 
iam H. Porter, and attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons, 
graduating in 1893. He began practice in the Roosevelt hospital, but 
soon afterward became connected with the City hospital on Blackwell's 
Island, where he remained two years. In 1895 he came to Binghamton 
and has since made his home in this city. The doctor is a member of 
the County Medical society and a fellow of the Binghamton Academy 
of Medicine. On July 30, 1895, Dr. Hutchinson married Susan P., 
daughter of the late Tracy G. Rich, the latter being remembered as 
one of our city's substantial and upright men. Dr. and Mrs. Hutchin- 
son have one daughter. 

Abram William Stoutenburg was born in Pittsfield, Monroe county, 
August 12, 1870. He was educated at the Pittsfield and Fairport acad- 
emies, and was graduated from the latter in 1890. He read medicine 
with Dr. W. F. Clapp, of Fairport, and attended the New York Home- 
opathic college and hospital, where he was graduated in 1894. He 
practiced in Owego until February, 1896, when he came to Binghamton 
and associated with Dr. E. E. Snyder. 

Charles Gray Cole, son of Avery M. and Lovina (Gray) Cole, is a 
native of East Durham, Greene county, N. Y., born May 6, 1865, 
Avery M. Cole for half a century has been a clergyman of the Baptist 
church, and his pastorate at East Durham covered a period of nearly 



446 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

eighteen years. The family in America is descended from aristocratic 
English ancestors, and have long been noted for their strict adherence 
to the old school Baptist teachings. On his mother's side the doctor is 
descended fr m pioneer stock in this county, his maternal grandfather, 
Deacon Richard Gray, having been a pioneer in the town of Barker. 
He came originally to Binghamton during the early years of the cen- 
tury, but fearful lest the flat lands of the river valley should prove un- 
healthful, he settled in Barker, where the country bore a certain re- 
semblance to his native Connecticut hill lands. He raised to maturity 
a family of four sons and three daughters. Dr. Cole acquired his early 
education in the Greenville academy and Starkey seminary, and began 
his medical study under the preceptorship of Dr. L. O. Eastman, of 
Union, this county, where his father then had a pastorate. He was 
graduated at Albany Medical college in 1897, and was licensed to prac- 
tice by the regents of the university of New York, June 4, of that year. 
In July following he began the practice of medicine in this city and 
soon gained an enviable standing in the ranks of the profession. In- 
deed, Dr. Cole has been successful beyond his most sanguine expecta- 
tions. He is a fellow of the Binghamton Academy of Medicine. 



CHAPTER XIX. 
THE BINGHAMTON PRESS. 

The newspaper is always a good sign, though its publication is not 
invariably a success from a financial point of view. During the last 
score and a half of years the newspaper has come to be regarded as the 
chief index of the intelligence of the community in which it is pub- 
lished, and its files are the footprints of the advancement and prosper- 
ity of the period of its publication. Yet it is surprising when searching 
our libraries to discover how little has been written of the " art pre- 
servative of all arts " and the educator of all educators. 

The newspaper of the present day, with its splendid facilities for 
acquiring and disseminating news, is regarded as essential as the church 
or the school house, and in a great measure has taken the place of the 
rostrum and the professor's chair and become the great teacher. No 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 447 

party, organization, enterprise or calling is now considered perfect 
without its " organ " to proclaim its advantages to the world. 

The history of the Binghamton press forms an interesting chapter in 
local annals, but how and to what extent the many newspaper ventures 
of the past may be best mentioned is a doubtful question. Glancing 
back at the early history of the press in the village and city it is found 
that newspapers were frequently founded, continued a few months, or 
perhaps years, and then suspended publication or were succeeded by 
other similar enterprises under different name and management. 
Whether the successor was the direct outgrowth of the older paper may 
at times have been doubtful, for in many cases their direct connection 
cannot be traced. Each publisher of half a century and more ao-o de- 
sired his paper to be regarded as an original venture, and the spirit of 
originality was continued until about the beginning of the war of 1861- 
65, from which time dated a new era in the history of the press, as in 
many other avocations in business life; but it is now regarded an un- 
doubted evidence of continued prosperity if the average newspaper can 
display the meaning words " Vol. XLVI, No. VI," or other symbolisms 
of like import on the title page. 

The tenth newspaper founded in this state, and the first published 
anywhere in the southern tier counties, was the American Constellation, 
the first number of which was issued Saturday, November 22, 1800, 
dated at " Union, Tioga county, N.Y." Although the paper was dated 
at Union, it was actually printed at Chenango Village, the little settle- 
ment on the west side of the Chenango river, just north of the present 
city limits. The American Constellation was a four-page, four-column 
paper, seventeen and one-half inches in length and eleven inches wide. 
It was published by Daniel Cruger, jr., who, in 1801, after GeneralWhit- 
ney succeeded in causing the removal of the business interest of Che- 
nango Village to Chenango Point, removed his printing office to Owego. 
The paper has had an uninterrupted existence to the present day, and 
is now known as the Owego Gazette, Le Roy W. Kingman, publisher. 

The Broome County Patriot was the pioneer newspaper of Bingham- 
ton and was founded in 1811 by Chauncey Morgan, a brother of Major 
Augustus Morgan and a practical printer. The office and press were 
located on the upper floor of a building at the southwest corner of Court 
and Washington streets, a locality afterward for many years known as 
" Rexford's corner, " Chauncey Morgan possessed a greater capacity 
to originate enterprises than his more prominent brother, but he lacked 



448 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

the executive ability to carry them to successful ends. His paper soon 
passed into the hands of Reuben S. Close and afterward of Dr. Elihu 
Ely, both of whom conducted it for a time. In 1815 it was purchased 
by Dr. Tracy Robinson, who enlarged it and changed the name to the 
Phoenix. Major Morgan, who was Dr. Robinson's son-in-law, had an 
interest in the paper for a time. In 1818 the Phoenix was sold to Anson 
M, Howard, under whose ownership publication was suspended about 
1820. 

The Republican Herald was established in 1818 by Abraham Burrell, 
and was started as an opposition paper to the Patriot. About 1820 
Dorpheus Abbey purchased the Burrell interest, continued the publica- 
tion for a short time and then sold out to " a few individuals" of the 
village, who employed Burrell to edit and print the paper. Mr. Abbey 
left the village soon after his paper was sold, but in 1837-38 he at- 
tracted considerable attention through his connection with the Patriot 
uprising against the British dominion in Canada. He was with the in- 
vading army at the battle at the " Windmill," on Canadian soil, where 
he was captured. For his participation in this ill-advised expedition 
former printer Abbey was tried as an enemy and condemned to death ; 
and he was hanged at Kingston in 1839. Abbey was the only printer 
of Binghamton who ever met such a fate, yet at heart he was a martyr 
rather than a felon. Under Burrell's management the Republican Her- 
ald was continued a few years, but in the meantime Major Morgan ap- 
peared in the field of journalism with a new paper and an entirely new 
office equipment. So strong indeed was his paper made at the very out- 
set that the Herald was forced to suspend publication. 

The Broome County Republican was established in 1823 by Augustus 
Morgan, and at once found favor with all loyal citizens both of the vil- 
lage and the county. In earlier years Major Morgan had a brief com- 
petitive experience in newspaper work, his opponent being Abraham 
Burrell's Republican Herald, and he was now determined to found a 
paper on so firm a basis that he would not again be embarrassed by an 
opposition sheet. The worthy major therefore built firmly and well, 
and his paper not only outstripped all opposing elements, but outlived 
the founder himself, and has enjoyed an uninterrupted existence to the 
present time. The newspaper started by Major Morgan in 1823 is the 
Weekly Broome Republican of 1899, the latter one of the best and most 
widely circulating newspapers in southern New York. 

In 1824 Abial C. Canoll associated with Major Morgan in the publica- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 449 

tion of the paper, but in 1828 the founder sold his interest to Thomas 
Collier (father of John A. and Hamilton Collier), and the firm of CanoU 
& Collier was continued until 1830, when Mr. Collier was succeeded by 
Edwin T. Evans (brother of Horatio and Alfred J. Evans). In 1835 ' 
Mr. Evans sold his interest in the paper to Benjamin T. Cooke, and the 
firm of Canoll & Cooke, who continued the paper until 1839, when Mr. 
Canoll sold out to J. J. Davis. Cooke & Davis published the paper for 
a time, and then, after Mr. Davis retired, it was continued by Mr. 
Cooke alone until 1848 when E. R. Colston became proprietor and pub- 
lisher, continuing about one year. (The Evening Express, a daily 
paper was published in the Republican office by Mr. Colston.) 

In 1849 the Republican passed into the hands of William Stuart, who 
was known as one of the best newspaper men of Binghamton in his 
time. He in company with James S. Cary, began the publication of 
the Binghamton Daily Republican in connection with the Broome 
Weekly Republican, These names are still retained for the daily and 
weekly editions. In 1864 the Republican was leased for a term of years 
to Carl Brothers & Taylor (James F. Carl, Abram W. Carl and Joel W. 
Taylor), who secured its first regular telegraphic service by a member- 
ship in the State Associate Press. In 1867 the office and papers were 
purchased by James Malette and George J. Reid, comprising the firm 
of Malette & Reid, by whom publication was continued until. 1876, 
when Mr. Malette retired and the Republican association was formed. 
Mr. Reid remained with the new concern as business manager, and 
Frederick W. Mather filled the editorial chair. 

On December 27, 1877, the Binghamton Printing company was in- 
corporated with a capital of $55,000, the first board of directors com- 
prising Aaron Steele, Frederick W. Mather, Tracy R. Morgan, George 
W. Dunn, Robert M. Hagaman, Alonzo C. Matthews, Marcus W. 
Scott, Benjamin De Voe and Giles W. Hotchkiss. This company pub- 
lished the daily and weekly editions of the paper until October 4, 1878, 
when it was succeeded by the Binghamton Publishing company, of 
which Charles M. Dickinson was president and secretary, and also was 
editor-in-chief of the paper. Subsequently Mr. Dickinson purchased 
all the stock and became sole owner of the paper, the plant and also of 
its. splendid job printing equipment. Since Mr. Dickinson became pro- 
prietor of the Republican establishment little change has been made in 

> About this time and previous to the sale by Jlr. Evans, F. B. Penniman was connected with 
the publication of the Republican. 
29 



450 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

the personnel of its management, and any record which purports to be 
a history of that paper without a passing mention of the work done by 
Peter D. Van Vradenburg and Charles Singleton would indeed be in- 
complete. 

Mr. Van Vradenburg's connection with the paper dates back more 
than thirty years, to the time when the proprietors, Malette & Reid, 
occupied the upper floor of the marble shop building at the corner of 
Court and Exchange streets, where now stands the Hagaman building. 
During nearly half of the period mentioned Mr. Van Vradenburg has 
been connected with the editorial department of the Republican, and 
particularly during Mr. Dickinson's frequent absence from the city (in 
European travels or in connection with his consular appointment) Mr. 
Van Vradenburg has been the mainstay of that department. In con- 
nection with the business management Mr. Singleton has been a prom 
inent figure in the Republican for the greater part of the last twenty 
years, and a fair share of the success of the paper during that period 
has been due to his efforts. 

During its course down through the changing years of the century, 
the Republican has picked up several minor publications, all of which 
have been merged into the more powerful journal. In 1848 the Ex- 
press was issued from the Republican office as a daily paper. 

The Iris was founded in 184!i by Charles P. Cooke, and was subse- 
quently owned by Stuart & Evans, and also by Edwin T. Evans. In 
1852 the daily edition of the paper was merged into the Republican, 
while the Weekly Iris, which was enlarged from an original semi- 
monthly of that name, was published by Mr. Evans until 1853, when 
it, too, was merged in the Republican. 

The Susquehanna Journal was started in October, 1852, by Rev. 
William H. Pearne, a clergyman of the M. E. church, but in 1855, after 
three years of indifferent success, the Journal was absorbed by the Re- 
publican. 

The Binghamton Standard (weekly) was founded by James Van 
Valkenburg in November, 1853, and was afterward published success- 
ively by the founder, and also by George W. Reynolds, Franklin N. Chase, 
Alvin Sturtevant and by M. L. Hawley «& Co. until 1869, when it was 
united with the Republican and published weekly under the name of 
Republican and Standard. Later on the papers were separated and the 
Standard became a semi- weekly. 

The Binghamton Times (weekly) was started by George M. Harris in 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 451 

1871, but in May of the next year the paper passed into the hands of 
Purdy & Cronin. In 1872 these proprietors founded the Daily Times. 
In 1878 Frederick W. Mather purchased the Times' publications and con- 
solidated them with the Republican. 

Under the present management the Republican has been published 
with gratifying success. The papers are among the most favorably 
known publications of the county at the present time. They are the 
recognized exponents of Republicanism in the southern tier, and their 
influence is felt and their worth is acknowledged. The handsome five- 
story building occupied by the Republican, at the corner of Henry and 
State streets, was erected by Mr. Dickinson in 1889-90. 

The Broome County Courier, a weekly newspaper of Democratic 
proclivities, was founded in 1831 by Jason R. Orton, and was published 
under his proprietorship until 1837. The next five years witnessed 
many vicissitudes in the history of the paper, and during that time it 
changed hands several times, being successively owned or published by 
Sheldon & Marble, Isaac C. Sheldon, E. P. Marble, Marble & Johnson, 
and also by J. R. & C. Orton, the latter of whom became proprietors in 
1847. In that year it passed into the hands of John L. Burtis, who 
abridged the title to the Binghamton Courier. 

The next owner of the Courier was Jeremy T. Brodt, a practical 
printer, who continued the publication until 1849, when John R. Dick- 
inson, representing a party of prominent Democrats in the village, pur- 
chased the establishment and merged the paper into the Binghamton 
Democrat, which in the meantime had been founded. 

The Binghamton Democrat was established December 15, 1846, by 
R. C. Whitmore,' with the assistance and under the patronage of a num- 
ber of leading Democrats of the village who in the first issue of the 
paper expressed themselves in part as follows; " The defection of the 
editor and proprietor of the Courier and their union with the Whigs for 
the purpose of defeating a portion of the Democratic ticket in the late 
canvass render the establishment of another paper both necessary and 
proper." Signed, Benjamin N. Loomis, Robert S. Bartlett, John R. 
Dickinson, Ausburn Birdsall, N. S. Davis. 

The Democrat was published by Mr. Whitmore until his death, 
August 30,1847. The next publisher was Hiram L. Shaw, whose re- 

« Mr. Whitmore died August 80, 1847, aged 28 years, He was a man of strict integrity and 
enjoyed the honorable estimation of his fellow citizens, and in all the relations of life he ac- 
quitted himself acceptably, affectionately and honorably. He was a brother of John T. Whit- 
more, now president of the BoUes Hoe & Tool company. 



452 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

lation with the paper began December 14, 1847, and continued to De- 
cember 6, 1849, when John R. Dickinson purchased the plant, making 
his formal announcement to the public on December 13. About the 
same time also Mr. Dickinson purchased the Binghamton Courier and 
consolidated it with the Democrat: and under the name of the Bingham- 
ton Democrat the paper has ever since been continued. 

The Democrat was published under Mr. Dickinson's management un- 
til 1857, when J. M. Adams and William S. Lawyer, comprising the 
firm of Adams & Lawyer, purchased the plant and became its proprie- 
tors. Their partnership relation was maintained until 1860, when Mr. 
Adams died. 

Adams & Lawyer were among the first newspaper men in the village 
to secure the services of writers or contributors of acknowledged liter- 
ary ability, although Judge Dickinson had made some pretense in that 
direction. Under the firm, George Bartlett was a frequent contributor 
to the editorial columns of the Democrat, and at one time his name 
appeared as editor of the paper. After Mr. Bartlett, Hallam Eldredge 
was a frequent contributor, and in later years, even to the present day, 
some prominent character in Binghamton history has contributed 
articles of interest to the reading public. 

After the death of Mr. Adams, William S. Lawyer conducted the Dem- 
ocrat alone until 1863, when his brother, George L. Lawyer, became his 
partner under the firm name of Lawyer Brothers. This firm still stands 
and is the oldest newspaper partnership in Binghamton and one of the 
oldest in the state. William S. Lawyer was an office boy in the old 
Courier and Democrat office in 1846, and has been connected with the 
paper in some capacity from that time to the present . George L. Law- 
yer also was a graduate of the Democrat office, and has been directly 
connected with the paper since 1863. In January, 1869, Lawyer Broth- 
ers started the Binghamton Daily Democrat and continued its publica- 
tion until January, 1895. 

The first office of the Democrat was located directly over Alfred J. 
Evans' jewelry store on the east side of FrankHn (now No. 146 Wash- 
ington) street, and thence was removed to Court street, over Wickham 
& Bennett's store (present number 53). The next quarters were on 
Water street (No. 157) where the paper was published continuously for 
a period of thirty-five years, and from which location in 1899 the paper 
was removed to the present quarters at No. 98 Chenango street, one 
door south of the First Baptist church. In allusion to its present sur- 
roundings the Democrat has taken the name of ' ' The Churchside Press. " 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 453 

The Bing-hamton Times, a daily paper, was started December 1, 18G3, 
by C. B. Gould, publisher, and with the editorial department under 
charge of Edward K. Clark. The Times was a Republican paper, and 
was well edited and managed, but it entered the field at a time when 
two other dailies and three weeklies were in operation in the village, 
hence it failed to secure a foothold sufficiently strong to ensure finan- 
cial success. The paper suspended publication in August, 1864. 

The Democratic Leader, a weekly newspaper, " the organ " of the 
Broome county Democracy, was founded in 1869 by Abram W. Carl and 
Edward H. Freeman, the first issue bearing date September 10. Mr. 
Carl had previously been connected with the Republican and was known 
in local press circles as a bright and at times a caustic writer, especially 
when dealing with political opponents. At journalistic repartee he was 
equalled only by Major Cronin of the Times. Mr. Freeman was di- 
rectly connected with the Leader until the latter part of 1871, but af- 
terward was in a way associated with the editorial department until his 
appointment as postmaster in the summer of 1886. He was a good 
writer, strongly partisan, perhaps, at times, yet his leaders were always 
interesting and refreshing. He was (and still is) well informed on all 
subjects pertaining to Binghamton history, for he came from one of our 
respected old families. 

After Mr. Freeman had severed his direct connection with the Leader 
he was succeeded by Fred. M. Abbott, who looked particularly after 
the business department of the office. He, in turn, was succeeded by 
Charles A. Hull, who soon abandoned journalism for the law. Mr. 
Carl was partner with each of these persons, but after Mr. Hull left 
the office in 1873 the founder continued the publication as sole proprie- 
tor until the time of his death in October, 1888. In March, 1878, he 
issued the first number of the Daily Leader, one of the strongest Dem- 
ocratic newspapers in southern New York. After Mr. Carl's death his 
widow continued the papers until December, 1892, when George F. 
O'Neil, a former merchant of the city (and, by the way, one of our 
most successful business men) purchased the plant. Under his man- 
agement the Leader, daily and weekly, has been conducted to the pres- 
ent time with gratifying success. A fair share of the credit, however, 
for the prosperous condition of affairs, must be given to Cornelius F. 
McCormick, the present editor-in-chief, whose connection with the pa- 
per began in 1886, in the capacity of reporter. After Mr. Carl's death 
Mr. McCormick was advanced to the editorial chair, which he has since 
admirably filled. 



454 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

The Binghamton Times (weekly) was started in April, 1871, and was 
in a measure a revival of the paper of the same name established in 
1863. The Times of 1871 was launched on the journalistic sea by an 
incorporated body known as the Times association (incorporated March 
6, 1871). In May, 1872, the paper passed into the hands of Purdy & 
Cronin, who changed its form from a quarto to a folio. On December 
4, 1872, the same firm issued the first number of the Binghamton Daily 
Times, and within three months from that time the paper became the 
leading daily of the southern tier. Major Cronin, the editor, was not 
a practical journalist, but was a lawyer of ability and an artist of con- 
siderable merit. But notwithstanding his talents in other directions 
Major Cronin was one of the most brilliant writers in Binghamton, and 
his finished, scholarly leaders attracted much favorable comment in this 
part of the state; but, unfortunately for the major, he was drawn into 
a journalistic battle with some of his contemporaries, and while he 
never suffered defeat in any of these printer's ink conflicts they were 
nevertheless waged at considerable expense to his paper. The major 
would not allow his paper to be surpassed in any respect by its compet- 
itors, and in maintaining the supremacy he sunk a fortune. 

On April 1, 1873, the Binghamton Times association was incorporated 
by David E. Cronin, James C. Truman, Vincent St. John and Timothy 
Cronin. This action had the effect to place the paper upon a safe basis; 
the venture was not a permanent financial success. Publication was 
continued several years and finally the paper was purchased by Fred- 
erick W. Mather, who, in 1878 consolidated it with the Republican. 

About five years ago Edward M. Fitzgerald, a lawyer of good stand- 
ing in the city, ventured into the field of journalism with a new paper 
called the Times. The proprietor was a writer of more than ordinary 
ability, yet his endeavor to establish a successful newspaper enterprise 
in an already overcrowded field did not meet with the reward the ef- 
fort deserved. The paper was discontinued after a few months' exist- 
ence. 

The Sunday Tribune was started in 1879 by William T. and Thomas 
F. Baker. About two years later the paper was sold to Van Vraden- 
burg & Mantz, after which the brothers Baker removed to Utica, 
founded the Saturday Globe, and by that fortunate undertaking ac- 
quired a fortune of greater proportions than usually rewards the en- 
deavors of the average newspaper man. Mr. Mantz' interest in the 
Tribune was subsequently sold to his partner, and on May 20, 1883, 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 455 

the latter disposed of the paper to Wales & Mantz, publishers of the 
Latest Morning News. 

Soon after the disappearance of the Tribune, O. J. Coughlin issued 
the first number of the Sunday Dispatch. The venture, however com- 
mendable, did not meet with gratifying success, hence the paper soon 
suspended. About ten years later, in the early nineties, Mr. Coughlin 
started the Sunday Message, but the paper failed of success and was 
therefore discontinued in the course of a few years. 

The Latest Morning News (daily) was started March 16, 1882, by 
Ira L. Wales and Frank A. Mantz, both of whom were experienced 
newspaper men, but unfortunately possessed only limited capital. The 
News made a good struggle for a permanent existence but in the course 
of a few months it was forced to yield to the superior strength of three 
other city dailies. 

The Call, or Saturday Call, as otherwise known, was started in 1887 
by J. W. Hagar. Edward H. Freeman acquired an interest in the paper 
in 1889 and looked after the editorial and news department, while Mr. 
Hagar attended the business management. In 1893 the paper was pur- 
chased by Perry P. Rogers and A. J. Dibble, by whom it was continued 
until Mr. Rogers' death in 1894, when Mr. Dibble became sole pro- 
prietor. In August, 1896, the Call was sold to a stock company, and 
was continued under the name of the Chronicle. 

The Chronicle made its appearance in August, 1896, under the man- 
agement of the company above mentioned, but the reformation of the 
Call publication, of which the Chronicle was the outgrowth, was so 
radical that the new paper was substantially an original production. 
Francis Curtis has been the editor, and the paper has been maintained 
as a clean and reliable family weekly. It is printed on book paper and 
uses half-tone illustrations in profusion. Mrs. Curtis has charge of the 
dramatic, literary and woman's pages, besides contributing more or 
less to the general features of the paper. The Chronicle is thorough- 
ly Republican and has catered to the better people of the community. 
It is widely quoted and is acknowledged to be one of the best provin- 
cial weekly papers in the state. 

The Binghamton Evening Herald was started February 23, 1889, by 
J. B. Briggs, editor, and Ed. H. Bogart, business manager, and was 
the first newspaper printed in this city and sold at one cent per copy. 
After a determined attempt to maintain the old established price of for- 
mer years, the other city dailies were compelled to reduce subscription 



1 



456 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

rates to 25 cents per month, to keep pace with the Herald's movement. 
On September 2, 1889, the Herald was sold to Hiram A. Stanley and 
Charles H. Turner, both of whom were newspaper men of experience 
and, former employees of the Daily Republican, Mr. Stanley having 
been connected with the business management and Mr, Turner with 
the editorial department of that paper. But notwithstanding the ac- 
knowledged capacity of the new proprietors several years passed before 
the Herald was established on a paying basis (which condition is quite 
as desirable as serving the public interests). The original Herald was 
a five column folio, and it soon became necessary for the new propri- 
etors to increase its news department and also its advertising space. 
This meant enlarged quarters, a larger force of employees, new presses 
and office equipment, and a considerable outlay of money; but the en- 
terprising young journalists were equal to the occasion and soon after- 
ward the Herald appeared in new dress and enlarged form, hence 
quickly found favor with the reading public. The paper had no special 
attitude on political questions, but was ever alert to the public welfare, 
particularly when the action of municipal authorities gave rise to a sus- 
picion of jobbery. During the proprietorship of Stanley and Turner, 
on September 11, 1890, the Bingham ton Weekly Herald was started. 

The Evening Herald company was incorporated September 28, 1893, 
with $40,000 capital. The officers were H. A. Stanle)^ president and 
general manager; F. D. Van Amburgh, vice-president; H. J. Mitchell, 
treasurer; H. V. Bogart, circulation manager, and G. W. Beardsley, 
managing editor. At the end of a year Mr. Van Amburgh was suc- 
ceeded by Ralph E. Bennett. Under the company management the 
Herald entered upon a new era of success and became recognized as one 
of the leading dailies of the southern tier. 

In the latter part of 1895 Mr. Stanley was compelled to relinquish 
newspaper work by reason of impaired health. For more than five 
years he had labored incessantly for the success of the paper, and while 
he attained the desired end it was at the expense of his physical and 
mental health. Neither rest nor travel gave renewed strength and he 
at length was compelled to remove from the city and take up his resi- 
dence in Seattle, Wash. In April, 1898, he sold his stock in the Her- 
ald company to a party of business men ; and at about the same time 
the Bogart and Mitchell stock also was sold, and a virtual reorgani- 
zation of the company was effected. 

The new board of directors comprised Marcus W. Scott, Hiram 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 457 

Barnum, Thomas B. Crary, G. W. Beardsley and Ralph E. Bennett. 
The officers were M. W. Scott, president and business manager; Hiram 
Barnum, vice-president; Ralph E. Bennett, secretary and advertising 
manager, and Guy W. Beardsley, managing editor. 

The Herald is unquestionably one of the most widely circulated 
dailies in southern New York. More than that, it has become a factor 
for good in the municipal history of the city. Politically it leans neither 
to the one nor the other of the great parties, but from an independent 
position it commends or condemns according to the worth of can- 
didates or proposed measures. Mr. Beardsley, the managing editor, 
is known as a ready writer, earnest in his support of measures be- 
lieved to be just, and bitter and unrelenting in his treatment of those 
of a doubtful character. 

The Independent (weekly) was started at Lestershire in November, 
1893, by J. E. Scudder, and was published under his sole proprietor- 
ship until July 17, 1897, when it was purchased by Fred E. Kennedy. 
In September following the Independent was made the official organ of 
the Binghamton Central Labor union, and in October of the same year 
the office was removed to this city. In February, 1898, a stock com- 
pany known as the Union Labor Publishing company was incorporated 
and organized, with Mr. Kennedy editor and manager. In August, 
1898, the CO npany transferred the paper to the Central Labor union, 
Mr. Kennedy still remaining as managing editor. On November 19 of 
the same year Mr. Kennedy bought the paper from the labor union, 
and at the same time Augustus Babcock acquired an interest and be- 
came partner with Mr. Kennedy. The company organization was 
maintained though the name was changed to Independent Publishing 
company. Mr. Kennedy fills the editorial chair, and fills it well, while 
Mr. Babcock in the capacity of business manager has likewise proven 
successful, although he was trained to the legal profession. On De- 
cember 3, 1898, the Independent was issued in magazine form, twelve 
pages, and on June 17, 1899, it was enlarged to sixteen pages. 

The Independent circulates in southern New York and northern 
Pennsylvania, and is known throughout the region as the especial 
champion of the rights of organized labor and laboring men. It also 
freely discusses all economic questions of government and is thoroughly 
loyal to local interests. 

The Record, a weekly Sunday paper, was started by Charles W. 
Oathout and G. Chester Richardson, who bought the Message office 



453 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

and equipment for that purpose. On January 1, 1898, Mr. Richardson 
retired from the firm and on January 23 following the sole proprietor, 
Mr. Oathout, changed the name of the paper to the Times. On July 
1, 1899, the stock of the Times Publishing company (an incorporation 
was secured soon after the paper was established) passed under the 
control of Captain George Cochran Broome, the present publisher of 
the paper. 

The Times is thoroughly loyal to Binghamton and to the best inter- 
ests of the city. Its circulation is large and extends far beyond the 
borders of the county. 



CHAPTER XX. 
INDUSTRIAL BINGHAMTON. 

As a manufacturing center Binghamton did not begin to attract par- 
ticular attention until after the opening of the Chenango canal, and it 
did not then occupy a position of special prominence until after the 
close of the war of 1861-65. The first settlers gave little heed to this 
now important branch of business life, and the saw and grist mills fur- 
nished nearly all the necessaries of domestic life that could not be pro- 
duced under the family roof. The saw mill was the first needed indus- 
try, as thereby the pioneer procured the lumber with which his house 
and barn were built; the grist mill gave assurance of a supply of flour, 
meal and feed; the thrifty housewife made cloth for the family raiment, 
and the fertile soil of the valleys under the strong arm of the sturdy 
settler furnished all other necessaries for a comfortable living. But as 
the hamlet increased into a village and the latter became a county seat 
it was necessary to establish a few small manufactories to keep pace 
with the general development of the region and also to attract other 
settlers. 

One of the earliest manufacturers in the village was James Squires, 
who, in 1806, started a tannery on the site of Shapley & Wells' foundry. 
Four years later Marshall Lewis came and purchased land on the east 
bank of the Chenango river and erected a saw and grist mill. He also 
bought Gray's island and constructed a dam across the lesser channel 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 459 

of the river, at the southern extremity of the island. He then built 
the mills and soon founded a thriving settlement that was named 
" Lewis Mills," in allusion to his work and that of his son, who fol- 
lowed in his footsteps. As the village increased other industries were 
started, notably the cloth dressing establishment of William Slosson 
and John De Voe, who carried on business from 1825 to about 1860. 
The Lewis mills, however, were maintained much longer, the saw mill 
being first discontinued, while the grist mill was in operation under 
different proprietors until a few years ago. In the several enterprises 
established in this locality by Marshall Lewis, that worthy proprietor 
was succeeded by his son. Col, Hazard Lewis, and the latter, in turn, 
by his son Frederick Lewis and Col. Paige before the family interests 
were finally disposed of. In 1866 E. M. & J. P. Noyes purchased a por- 
tion of the Lewis property and converted the mills into a comb factory. 
This was the beginning of the end of the old interests of former years, 
but valuable as the latter may have been they were succeeded by others 
of much greater importance, giving employment tomany wage earners. 
The Messrs. Noyes also became owners of Lewis island and connected 
the same with the main land by a bridge, and thus brought into mar- 
ket a considerable area of land valuable for manufacturing purposes. 
Ethan P. Stephens eventually became the owner of the south end of 
the island, and through his enterprise several manufacturing buildings 
were erected thereon. The old water power is still used to a certain 
extent, yet each industry using power is provided with a steam boiler 
and engine, dsing the water as an auxiliary power. 

As the water power furnished by the " raceway " and dam at Lewis' 
mills was limited in capacity, hardly more than the saw and grist mills 
and one or two other small industries could be operated by it, hence, 
with the growth of the village, it became necessary to establish another 
manufacturing center. This was done in 1828, when General Whitney 
and Hazard Lewis made application to and were granted authority 
from the legislature to construct a dam across the Susquehanna in the 
village. At that time General Whitney owned the land on both sides 
of the river, and under his agreement with Col. Lewis the latter built 
the dam, four feet high, and in compensation received title to the land 
at the south end of the dam, with its water power and privileges. On 
both sides of the stream long and strong flumes were constructed, suf- 
ficient to furnish power for several manufacturing establishments. 

At the south end of the dam Col. Lewis built a grist mill, and Chris- 



1 



460 BINGHAMTON ITS SETTLEMENT. 

topher Eldredge, who was interested with the colonel in his extensive 
operations, built and operated a saw mill. Both of these mills burned 
about 1861 and were rebuilt by John Conklin, who in the meantime had 
succeeded to the ownership of the property. Mr. Conklin eventually 
sold the site to the state for the Chenango canal extension, while the 
mill buildings and machinery were disposed of to Oswego parties ; and 
just before the state acquired actual possession of the lands the build- 
ings were again destroyed by fire. From that time on, the south side 
of the Susquehanna, whether on the river or in more remote localities, 
was never regarded as a profitable manufacturing district, being too far 
distant from shipping points. (While treating on this subject it is well 
to note that about 1858 Edward Tompkins built a large factory at the 
south end of the old Tompkins bridge, but all attempts to conduct a 
successful business in that locality were not rewarded with gratifying 
results. The same also may be said of the locality known as Rossville, 
where a woolen factory and large cigar shop were at one time operated 
in the hope that that portion of the city might be built up and developed. 
These industries, however, were compelled to discontinue business, and 
it was not until Dr. Magoris and the Clarke-Turner manufacturing 
company began operations that permanent enterprises were founded. 
At the corner of De Russey street and Vestal avenue a large furni- 
ture factory was operated several years, but the business became un- 
profitable, hence was discontinued. On the south side to-day the only 
manufacturing enterprises of consequence are the Burcey Chemical 
company and the shellac and varnish works carried on by Homer C. 
Collier). Having thus disposed of the manufactures on the south side 
of the river, we may now return to the original subject. 

According to the agreement between General Whitney and Col. 
Lewis, the former was to build a merchant flouring mill at the north 
end of the Rockbottom dam, but he in fact built a saw mill; and 
through various ownerships that industry has been maintained to the 
present time, taking "first water" from the flume. In 1831 General 
Whitney sold a half interest in the saw mill to General Waterman, and 
in 1836 sold him the other half. In 1833 Stowers & Kellogg bought a 
power privilege and started a furnace and plow factory. About 1835 
Waterman & Evans started a plaster mill, but in 1837 the mill was sold 
to Horatio and Alfred J. Evans. It was afterwards rented to General 
Waterman, and in 1845 was sold to Eli Pratt and Luke Doolittle. The 
firm of Pratt & Doolittle dissolved in 1861, the latter succeeding and 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 46i 

operating the plaster mill until 1872, when he replaced it with a general 
flour and feed mill. The plant was burned in 1884, but was at once re- 
built and has since been operated by Mr. Doolittle. 

The saw mill eventually passed into the hands of Austin W. Tyler 
and Eli Pratt, but the interest of the latter was sold in 1874 to Addison 
J. Lyon. Tyler & Lyon did business as partners until 1883 when Mr. 
Lyon became sole owner. The buildings were burned the next year 
but were at once rebuilt on an enlarged scale. Mr. Lyon died in 1895 and 
was succeeded by his sons W. S., A. H. and J. A. Lyon, the present 
proprietors. The building occupied by the Stickley & Brandt chair com- 
pany was erected by A. J. Lyon's Sons, in 1892. 

The water privilege next below the grist mill was sold to Kilby Ste- 
vens, and the Wilkinson tannery site to Marshall H. Weed, the latter in 
1839. In 1845, when Luke Doolittle came into " Millville," General 
Waterman was running two " up and down" saws in the saw mill, and 
also was proprietor of the plaster mill. Kilby Stevens built and run a 
carding machine and cloth dressing works, the latter being an old in- 
dustry of the locality for many years. Mr. Weed was running a good 
tannery business and below him on the flume was an old furnace in 
which one Crookshank run a grindstone and also made tobacco knives. 
The furnace privilege afterward was sold to Kinyon & Newton who 
bought and moved to the site the old Tompkins mill that once stood at 
the south end of the upper bridge. This firm run a sash and blind fac- 
tory and planing mill and did an extensive business for a time. Later 
on E. M. & J. P. Noyes occupied the building as a comb factory, after 
which it passed into the hands of Mr. Doolittle and M. T. Winton, who 
began making hand sleds and children's carriages. This was the begin- 
ning of a business of great importance in later years, but incidentally 
it may be stated that Winton & Riley and H. W. Shipman were the real 
pioneers of this special industry, although their annual output was 
small when compared with the output of later years. Doolittle & Win- 
ton made sleds as early as 1863. R. S. Darrow succeeded Mr. Doolittle, 
and was in turn succeeded by Wm. H. Stilwell. 

In 1875 the Winton Manufacturing company was incorporated by M. 
T. Winton, W. H. Stilwell, W. H. Wilkinson, B. N. Loomis, Erastus 
Ross, W. H. Eastwood and Erasmus Chollar, with $75,000 capital. It 
was for years an extensive concern and gave employment to many 
workmen before it was overtaken by disaster in 1889. At that time, 
however, the management had materially changed. 



462 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

The Wilkinson Manufacturing company, which succeeded the Win- 
ton concern, was incorporated in 1890. The first directors were W. H. 
Wilkinson, H. A. Sheldon, Charles Davis, Franklin Edgerton, Charles 
A. Wilkinson and W. H. Eastwood. This company is now one of the 
staple concerns of the city and furnishes regular employment to about 
100 men. Its present officers are W. H. Wilkinson, president; H. G. 
Jackson, vice-president; Charles A. Wilkinson, secretary; W. H. East- 
wood, treasurer. 

As has been mentioned, Kilby Stevens began business on the privi- 
lege now occupied by the Woodruff cigar box factory. Later on Milks 
& Morehead made cloth and blankets in the building and exchanged 
their product for wool Mr. Milks afterward had a spoke and hub works 
here, as also did McElroy & Holmes at a still later day. Woodruff's 
cigar box factory, which is one of the most extensive works of its kind 
in the region, was built in 1882 and has been continued to the present 
time, giving employment to about sixty hands. It is now an incorpo- 
rated concern, under the name of Binghamton Cigar Box company, 
with $25,000 capital. The stockholders are Charles Woodruff, Edward 
E. Cuddeback, Francis E. Woodruff, Thomas L. Morton and Walter 
A. Morton. 

Thus is written in a brief way the history of one of the old manufac- 
turing localities of Binghamton. Previous to the introduction of steam 
as a motive power for propelling machinery the locality mentioned was 
of great importance in the industrial history of the village, but after 
steam came into general use owmers of the larger plants naturally 
sought a location nearer convenient shipping points; and thus the once 
busy center of trade lost everything of its former prestige. Yet it is 
doubtful if ever in the history of the city a greater amount of business 
has been transacted in Millville than at the present time. 

The previous incidental mention of the Weed tannery on the flume 
below the Rockbottom dam naturally suggests an allusion to the tan- 
ning interests of the city, past and present. This has been an industry 
of long standing, and as several prominent factors in village and city 
history have been engaged therein the subject may be specially treated. 
The pioneer of the tanning industry in Binghamton was James Squires, 
who, in 180G, bought nearly all the south half of the lands between 
Washington street on the west, Collier street on the east, Court street 
on the north, and Hawley street on the south, Mr. Squires built his 
tannery on the site now occupied by the Shapley & Wells foundry, and 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 463 

continued the business several years. The second tanner was Samuel 
Smith, who, in 1815, started in business on the west bank of the Che- 
nango, a few rods south of Main street. " Squire " Smith was in busi- 
ness at least twenty- five years, and was afterward followed by other 
proprietors. The old buildings stood until 1862, when they were 
burned during the ownership of the Goods. 

Lewis Squires and Col. Joseph B. Abbott started a tannery in 1821 
on land in the rear of the present Exchange Hotel building, and con- 
tinued business until the construction of the Chenango canal took a 
valuable portion of the firm's yard and vats. 

Marshall H. Weed, in 1839, purchased of General Waterman a water 
power on the flume below the Rockbottom dam. He at once started a 
small tannery on the site and continued business alone until 1845, when 
Col. Abbott became his partner, the firm being Weed & Abbott. In 
1848 Lewis S. Abbott purchased Mr. Weed's interest, after which J. B. 
Abbott & Son did a tanning business until 1870, when the plant was 
sold to Samuel Branaugh. In 1871 Branaugh sold to W. H. and C. A. 
Wilkinson, who continued as partners until 1870, when C. A. Wilkinson 
retired. The plant was occupied by W. H. Wilkinson about fifteen 
years longer and was then discontinued. 

The present extensive tannery managed by J. B. Weed & Co., which 
unquestionably is one of the best industries of the city, is the outgrowth 
of a small tannery started by Marshall H. Weed in 1849 or '50, soon after 
he sold his interest in the water power tannery below the dam. At that 
time steam power was just beginning to take the place of water power 
in manufacturing enterprises, and Mr. Weed was one of the first men 
in Binghamton to adopt the new system. His original works were 
built on the south side of Susquehanna street, on a lot 60 feet wide and 
extending from the street to the canal. Mr. Weed carried on the busi- 
ness until 1860, when he was succeeded by his sons. 

The firm of J. B. Weed & Co. was established in 1860, and from that 
year until 1899 has been carrying on one of the best and largest busi- 
ness enterprises in the city. At the very outset the firm began enlarg- 
ing the various departments of the works, and year after year witnessed 
the enlargement of either buildings or grounds until the present works 
include an area of eight acres and furnish constant employment for 
about 200 wage earners. However, in 1899, the firm's tannery business 
and property passed into the ownership and control of the American 
Hide and Leather company, or, in other words, into the control of the 
*' leather trust." 



464 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

In 1858 Lowell Harding started a tannery at the north end of the 
Tompkins bridge, at the head of Court street. The business was con- 
tinued until 1863 and was then discontinued. 

Another interesting locality in connection with the early manufactur- 
ing enterprises of the village, but which as an industrial center long ago 
passed out of existence, was on the west side of the Chenango river, 
near the foot of Mt. Prospect. When and by whom the first dam in 
this locality was built is now unknown, but it is believed to have been 
constructed by Marshall Lewis about or soon after he built the dam 
across the raceway at the foot of the island. In 1825 the legislature 
authorized Hazard Lewis to rebuild, repair and maintain a dam across 
the main channel of the river at the point first mentioned, and accord- 
ingly a substantial brush dam was constructed. Colonel Lewis also 
built and for several years maintained a saw mill on the west bank of 
the river, but in later years Stephen Weed erected there a stave mill of 
good capacity. The mill was operated several years by Mr. Weed and 
afterward may have passed into other hands. During the last forty 
years no manufacturing of consequence has been carried on at the wesit 
end of the " brush dam," as it was called. After Lewis' Island was 
purchased by E. M. & J. P. Noyes the dam at the head of the island 
was replaced with one more substantial. 

After the construction of the Chenango canal several factories were 
soon started on both sides of that famous waterway, and were continued, 
with few exceptions, until the canal was abandoned and closed by the 
state. In the upper part of the village, about where now stands the 
electric car barns, was a boat yard and dry dock, at which considerable 
business was done in boat building by Yelles Belcher. Another boat 
yard was still further east (Ogden's) while a third was down near the 
Point (Johnson's). 

About opposite the site where now stands the armory was the steam 
flour mill built by Waring S. Weed in 1847, and very near it stood 
Richard Mather's lime kiln. The steam mill was so named from the 
fact that it was one of the very first industries of the village in which 
steam was used as a motive power. (On May 9, 1857, the steam mill, 
James A. Weed & Co's. soap and candle works, several dwellings and 
many other buildings, in all a total of twenty-one, were destroyed by 
fire. In this disaster the largest losses fell upon Weed & Ayers, J. A. 
Weed & Co., James Munsell, Henry Fish, William C. Doane and Mrs. 
Isaac Smith Harding). 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 465 

Between Henry and Court streets the principal industries after the 
canal was opened were Mather's foundry and machine shop and Mat- 
thews' plow works. Still further down, in the vicinity of Evans' Basin 
was a busy locality. On the east side stood Evans' store house, the old 
plaster mill and White & Fuller's brewery. On the west side were 
Squires & Abbott's tannery, located just above Hawley street. On 
the corner was (and still is) the foundry, then owned by Shapley, Hop- 
kins & Dunk. Amos G. Hull's spoke and hub works stood west 'of the 
basin and was the chief industry on that side. Still further down was 
the White & Roberts pottery, Marshall H. Weed's tannery and Will- 
iam F. Youngs' cooperage. But of all of these old interests of forty 
and more years ago, only two now remain. They are the brewery and 
the foundry. Nearly all, however, were operated until the canal was 
abandoned and some of them were continued until a later date. 

The first flour mill in the village, as has been stated, was that started 
by Marshall Lewis at "Lewis' Mills." The second was built at the 
south end of the Rockbottom dam by Hazard Lewis. The third was 
the steam mill. The fourth was the Otseningo mills on Commercial 
avenue, which were built by Moore & Myers in 1858, and continued 
under various proprietors to the present day. The fifth was Luke 
Doolittle's mill in Millville, to which reference has been made. The 
sixth was the Parlor City steam mill, established by Sprague & Duell 
on Water street in 1882. George Q. Moon & Go's, large mill on North 
Depot street was the seventh industry of its kind in Binghamton, and 
in manufacturing capacity is greater than that of all others combined. 
The elevator building, in which the mill is located, was erected by M. 
W. Bo5worth & Co. in 1872, and was purchased by George Q. Moon & 
Co. in 1883. It was at once changed into a merchant flouring mill. 
The partners in the operation were George Q. Moon and Robert J. 
Bates, both of whom are now dead. The firm name, however, has been 
preserved in the incorporation of " George Q. Moon & Co." on June 
30, 1898. The incorporators were George Q. Moon, jr.. Watts C. Bates 
and Walter J. Moon; capital $100,000. 

The most recently established flour mill in the city is that owned by 
Blewer & Whiting, and located on upper Court street. 

Among the iron manufacturing establishments of Binghamton the old 
furnace in Millville was probably the first. So far as is now known it was 
started about 1831 by John G. Stower and Edward Kellogg, but after- 
ward was owned by Dr. Ely and Henry Mather. In fact it is claimed 

30 



466 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

that Dr. Ely was the founder of the business. In 1842 the machinery 
was removed to a building on the east side of the canal, north of Court 
street and was then owned by Mr. Mather, and still later by Thayer & 
Overhiser and Benjamin H. Overhiser in the order mentioned. The 
product of this shop comprised plows, castings, mill gearing and 
machinery. Martin W. Shapley was foreman of the shop before he 
established a foundry on Hawley street. 

Another old iron working industry of Binghamton which is worthy 
of at least a brief mention in this chapter was the gun shop of Joseph 
and Robert S. Bartlett. In 1839 these brothers came here from Owego 
and set up business in a building that stood on the north side of Court 
street between the present Sisson building and the corner next east. 
The Bartletts were compelled to move from that location on account of 
the construction of the canal. They then moved to the west side of 
Washington street, where they carried on business about fifteen years. 
Isaac L. Bartlett occupied the same shop with his brothers, and while 
he may have been interested with them in gun making he at the same 
time made plows on his own account. 

About 1828 or '30 Ephraim F. Matthews started a plow factory on 
the west side of the Chenango river, on the site afterward occupied by 
Cushing & Landers' mill, and where now stands the High school build- 
ing. A small business had been previously started on this site by 
Levenworth & Stowers, but it was of short duration. In 1842 the 
Matthews shop was moved to the east side of the river, and was re- 
established on a lot near the Mather foundry. I. S. Matthews soon be- 
came partner with his brother, and in 1856 succeeded to the business. 
When the industry was at its best Mr. Matthews turned out 1,500 hand 
made plows each year. The works were burned in 1806, but were re- 
built. The proprietor afterward discontinued manufacturing and turned 
his attention to the sale of agricultural implements. 

The Empire Iron works was another old and once prominent industry 
in Binghamton, and was started by Hazard Lewis and William A. Mor- 
ris in 1847. The works were located on the east side of Washington 
street, near the head of Ferry street, and extended east to the canal. 
The firm employed about fifty men in the manufacture of steam en- 
gines, nearly all of which were shipped out of the village, and some of 
them to Cuba. The firm also made the "frogs" which were used in 
the construction of the Erie railroad. These works were burned July 
24, 1860. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 467 

The Binghamton Iron works ' has been one of the substantial business 
interests of the southern tier for more than forty-five years. The 
founders of the industry were Martin W. Shapley, a former employee 
of the Mather foundry and machine shop on the canal, and Alfred 
Dunk, an Englishman by birth and a skilled machinist by trade. He 
was formerly connected with the Phoenix Iron works, of Syracuse, also 
with a similar enterprise at Oneida. Mr. Dunk came to the village in 
1854 and in partnership with Mr. Shapley started a foundry and ma- 
chine shop on Hawley street. During the first ten or fifteen years of 
its history, the firm name frequently changed, and was known at vari- 
ous times as Shapley & Dunk, M. W. Shapley & Co., Shapley, Dunk & 
Co., Shapley, Hopkins & Robbins, and as Shapley & Wells; but by 
whatever name known, the firm has been in constant and successful 
operation since 1854, and to-day the business conducted is one of the 
substantial industries of the region. Since the death of Martin W. 
Shapley, the members of the firm have been J. E. and W. M. Shapley 
and John Stuart Wells, yet the old style of Shapley & Wells has been 
preserved. Colonel Wells came into the firm in 1870. 

Martin W. Shapley was the inventor and patentee of the celebrated 
"Shapley" engine, in the manufacture of which the firm has done a 
very extensive business. The general product of the works comprises 
castings of all kinds, machines and machinery, both heavy and light, 
boilers, heating apparatus, and in fact almost every commodity manufac- 
tured in a large and well equipped general foundry and machine shop. 
When running under normal conditions about 120 hands are regularly 
employed. 

In 1866 A. L. Henderer started a machine shop in Binghamton. In 
1869 William Scott acquired an interest in the business, and in 1871 be- 
came its sole proprietor. The works were continued several years with 
fair success, 

J. Herald started a general foundry on Morgan's flats about 1870 and 
continued the business until a few years ago. 

Edwin Adams & Son, brass founders and machinists, have been known 
in local business circles more than twenty years. The firm's works are 
at Nos. 327-29 Water street. 

Knapp, Shults & Heath, machinists, began business in Millville in 

> It is understood that Mr. Shapley originally founded the works under the name of " The 
Valley Iron Works," and that Mr. Dunk came into the firm very soon afterward. The name 
"Binghamton Iron Works" was adopted in 1864. 



468 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

1878 and continued until 1883, when Mr. Shults retired and began work 
on his own account; and for nearly twenty years the name of Wm. 
Shults was known in local trade circles. After the dissolution in 1883 
Knapp & Heath continued business until 1889, when Martin T. Knapp 
succeeded to the Heath interest and established the firm of Knapp & 
Son (William and Martin T. Knapp). The senior partner died in 1884, 
since which time Martin T. Knapp has conducted the business alone. 

The Jones Scale works was established in 1865 by General Edward 
F. Jones, and gave employment to about twenty workmen, in the large 
brick building previously occupied by the Starr Arms company, but 
which old industry was commonly mentioned as the "pistol factory." 
As years passed the name and fame of " Jones of Binghamton " spread 
throughout the United States, and the scales manufactured by the man 
who "paid the freight" found ready sale in the markets. In 1876 an 
incorporated company was organized under the name of "The Jones 
Scale Works," and was so continued until 1888 when a re-incorporation 
was effected under the name of "Jones of Binghamton." General 
Jones was president of both companies, and has been the head of the 
business since it was founded in 1865. The Jones Scale works, as still 
known, has been one of our city's leading industries for more than 
thirty years, and has grown from the little plant that in 1865 gave work 
to twenty men to the present establishment that furnishes employment 
to from 250 to 300 men. The present officers of the company are Ed- 
ward F. Jones, president; Gerry Jones, vice-president and manager; C. 
Sheridan, secretary. 

The Binghamton Scale works was established in 1869 by Horatio B. 
Osgood, who came to the city in 1869 and for a time was connected 
with the Jones Scale works. The new enterprise was incorporated No- 
vember 25, 1869, under the name of " Binghamton Scale works," hav- 
ing $3,000 capital, and with Horatio B. Osgood, Lewis H. Brown, Hi- 
ram G. Clark and William Stewart, as the first board of trustees. Busi- 
ness was begun in a building on Canal street but in a short time the 
works were removed to Mygatt street where they have since continued, 
although during intervening years many changes and enlargements 
have been made in the plant and its management. On May 1, 1897, 
the Osgood Scale company was incorporated, with a capital of $30,000, 
and was the outgrowth of the older company, the Binghamton Scale 
works. The staple manufactures comprise weig'hing scales of all kinds. 
The works employ about seventy-five workmen. The officers of the 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 4fi9 

company are H. B. Osgood, president; Louis A. Osgood, vice-president; 
Orlando J. Fowler, secretary and treasurer. 

Crandall, Stone & Co., manufacturers of carriage hardware, became 
a corporate body June 24, 1895, having a capital of $20(3,000. The 
business, however, antedates the incorporation by twenty- five years, 
and was started in this city by J. F. Dohan and William Walker, who, 
under the firm name of J. F. Dohan & Co., began the manufacture of 
carriage hardware and trimmings. George L. Crandall succeeded to 
the Walker interest in 1872 and was partner with Mr. Dohan until 
about 1876, when the latter retired and Mr. Crandall's son came into 
the firm. In 1881 Charles M. and William H. Stone acquired an inter- 
est in the business, whereupon the firm changed to Crandall, Stone & 
Co., as since known in trade circles and as incorporated in 1895. 
Both Mr. Crandall and his son are now dead, yet the old firm style is 
still preserved. The original proprietors began business in Commercial 
avenue, but in 1879 the works were removed to the large brick build- 
ings erected for the company's occupancy on upper Court street. 
Crandall, Stone & Co. 's industry is one of the best manufacturing en- 
terprises in the city and furnishes constant employment to a large num- 
ber of workmen. The first directors of the corporate company were 
George L. Crandall, Charles M. Stone and Charles H. Titchener. The 
present officers are Charles M. Stone, president; W. H. Stone, vice- 
president; Charles E , Titchener, secretary ; F. S. Titchener, treasurer. 

The Bolles Hoe and Tool company was incorporated in 1872, and 
was the outgrowth of a hoe manufacturing business started in Oxford 
in 1840, and theace removed to this city in 1867 by Lemuel Bolles. 
The business was continued with fair success during the early years of 
its history, but the best results have been realized under the incorpora- 
tion, and particularly under the present management. The company 
employs about fifty men. The present officers are John T. Whitmore, 
president; William G. Phelps, vice-president; E. N. Abbott, secretary, 
and James W. Manier, treasurer. 

The Binghamton Hoe and Tool company was incorporated January 
1, 1881, with a capital of $25,000. The first board of managers com- 
prised John J. Worden, Charles McKinney, Tracy R. Morgan, George 
W. Bolles and Lemuel Bolles. The company did business in what is 
commonly called the "Patgh," but at the end of about five years its 
affairs were wound up. 

The Bundy Manufacturing company was incorporated September 30, 



470 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

1889, with $30,000 capital, for the manufacture of the celebrated 
" Bundy Time Recorder." The incorporators were William L. Bundy, 
George E. Green, John P, Fieberg, William L. Ford and Harlow E. 
Bundy, yet a still greater number of Binghamton capitalists became in- 
terested in the concern as stockholders; and if current report be true 
they never have had occasion to regret the investment, as the company 
has always done a large and successful business. In all an aggregate 
of 150 men are employed in the works on Water street. The officers 
of the company are George E. Green, president; George W. Dunn, 
vice-president; Harlow E. Bundy, treasurer and manager; A. Ward 
Ford, secretary, and Willard L. Bundy, general superintendent. 

The Stow Manufacturing company was incorporated April 33, 1895, 
with $60,000 capital, but was the outgrowth of a business established 
originally in Port Dickinson by Nelson Stow, an inventor of rare genius 
and skill in mechanical arts. The incorporators of the company were 
Clarence F. Hotchkiss, William C. Hawes, Charles C. Warner, Julia 
Hawes and Ida C. Hawes. By its incorporation the company was 
placed on a safe financial basis, hence is to be numbered among the 
city's leading industries. The product of the works is the Stow flexible 
shaft, machinery, tools, patterns and other mechanical appliances. The 
works are located on State street, near the head of Way street. The 
officers are Clarence F. Hotchkiss, president; William C. Hawes, sec- 
retary and treasurer ; C. F. Hotchkiss, W. C. Hawes and C. C. Warner, 
directors. 

The earliest wood-working establishments of Binghamton were the 
saw mills, to which reference has been made, and it was not until 
after 1830 that a planing mill and sash and blind factory was thought 
of in the village; and even then builders were reluctant to accept 
the new product in preference to the hand made work of experienced 
carpenters. In 1834 Norman Marsh came to Binghamton and soon 
afterward started a little business in the manufacture of sash, blinds 
and doors in a chamber of his dwelling house on Chenango street. 
The venture proved successful and soon afterward Mr. Marsh re- 
moved his work shop to the barn on his premises. About 1840 he 
purchased a lot on the west side of the street and built thereon a 
small sash and blind factory, and also equipped the building with 
such machinery as the time afforded. As the business increased 
George Flint became partner with Mr. Marsh, but in a few years 
the firm of St. John & Gilbert succeeded to the proprietorship. This 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 471 

firm met with disaster and after the failure, in 1854, Alonzo Rober- 
son, a former employee of the factory, purchased the plant, re-estab- 
lished the business and laid the foundation for one of the best and 
most successful enterprises of the city in later years. Frequently 
during his ownership the buildings were enlarged to meet the de- 
mand for increased output. However, in 1893 Mr. Roberson removed 
the factory to the west end, where he had erected several large build- 
ings for manufacturing purposes, and in which are now emplo5'ed about 
200 workmen. In the same year Alonzo Roberson, jr., became partner 
with his father. The senior member of the firm died in 1899, and the 
business has since been continued under the son's management. 

Sometime between 1855 and 1860 Whitman Kinyon and Albro J. 
Newton started a sash factory and planing mill in Millville and con- 
tinued it several years. In 1864 Charles N. Blanchard and Isaac L. 
Bartlett formed a partnership, and started a sash and blind factory in 
the old Collier mill which stood at the corner of what is now Hawley 
and State streets. Soon afterward Blanchard & Bartlett bought the 
machinery in the Kinyon & Newton mill and removed it to the Hawley 
street building. The firm did a large business from the outset, but 
after about two years of operation an unfortunate fire destroyed the 
buildings. In 1867 the firm purchased the old Evans warehouse prop- 
erty at the corner of Collier and Hawley streets, and in due season was 
again in business on a larger scale than before. John W. Rowlinson 
became a partner in the firm about 1873. In 1875, on account of finan- 
cial reverses the firm changed and A. S. and C. J. Bartlett became 
owners of the mills and continued the business under the firm name of 
Bartlett Brothers until the death of the junior partner in 1886. The 
firm name then changed to Bartlett & Co., as at present known. The 
factory is one of the largest of its kind in the southern tier and furnishes 
employment to from 250 to 300 men. The present managing proprietor 
is Arthur S. Bartlett, eldest son of the founder of the business. 

In connection with the saw mill the firm of A. J. Lyon's Sons has a 
planing mill department. This firm, as is elsewhere stated, manufac- 
tures and deals extensively in rough and dressed lumber of all kinds. 

The present firm of Beman & Co., manufacturers of cheese and pack- 
ing boxes, tubs and firkins, was formed in 1897, but the business was 
founded in 1868 by Elbert A. Beman and Julius S. Corbett. In the 
next year Mr. Corbett retired, after which Mr. Beman continued busi- 
ness alone until 1871, when John Bayless came into the firm, under the 



472 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

style of Beman & Bayless. In 1897 Mr. Bayless was succeeded by 
Clifford W. Beman, and the firm then changed to Beman & Co. In 
the works on Frederick street about fifty men are employed. 

The Sturtevant Larabee company, manufacturers of carriages, cut- 
ters and sleighs, was incorporated in 1891, but the company had its 
origin in a business established in 1882 by Jefferson Kingman and James 
W. Sturtevant, under the firm name of Kingman & Sturtevant. The 
factory then was on Whitney street. In 1884 H. Chester Larabee came 
into the firm, upon which the style changed to Kingman, Sturtevant & 
Larabee. In the year last mentioned the firm built the large factory 
buildings on Charles street. On August 12, 1891, the company above 
mentioned was incorporated, with an authorized capital of $15,000. 
The incorporators were Jefferson Kingman, James W. Sturtevant, H. 
Chester Larabee, Orson Britton and Francis T. Newell. From the time 
when Kingman & Sturtevant began making cutters and sleighs in the 
Whitney street building the business of the firm and subsequent com- 
pany has been successful, and to-day the Sturtevant-Larabee company 
is regarded as one of the city's most substantial concerns, and gives 
employment to a large number of wage earners. The present officers 
of the company are H. Chester Larabee, president; Orson Britton, vice- 
president; Jefferson Kingman, treasurer; J. W. Sturtevant, secretary. 

The Binghamton Wagon company was incorporated June 15, 1889, 
with $50,000 capital. The incorporators were Wayland D. Tisdell, 
Herbert Longendyke, B. M. Babcock, George A. Kent, R. D. Woodford, 
W. G. Phelps, George W. Dunn and George F. Lyon. In the latter 
part of 1889 the company began business in a large brick building 
erected for the company's use, and located on Abbott street, near Broad 
avenue. When running under normal conditions the company employs 
about 130 workmen. The present officers are George A. Kent, presi- 
dent; E. W. Morse, secretary and treasurer. 

Wilkinson & Eastwood began making chairs in 1889 at their works on 
Wall street, and have since carried on an extensive business. In 1883 
W. H. Eastwood and Charles Davis began making children's carriages, 
sleds and novelties in the building now occupied by Wilkinson & East- 
wood. In 1886 Charles A. Wilkinson purchased the Davis interest and 
became partner with Mr. Eastwood. In 1889 the character of the busi- 
ness was changed to the manufacture of antique and fancy chairs. 

The Binghamton Chair company is the outgrowth of a business of 
the same character started by Roswell J. Bump more than fifteen years 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 473 

ago. The business increased rapidly and necessitated the erection of a 
large factory building on Montgomery street. The members of the 
company are S. Mills Ely, Edward F. Leighton and Roswell J. Bump, 
the latter being the practical man and manager of the works. 

The Stickley & Brandt Chair company was incorporated December 
7, 1891, with $30,000 capital. The first directors were F. A Blakeslee, 
Schuyler C. Brandt, Charles Stickley, Harry C. Ross and Charles C. 
Jackson. The company's works are in Millville in a building erected 
for its occupancy by A. J. Lyon's Sons. About 200 workmen are here 
employed. The company officers are S. C. Brandt, president; W.W. 
Williams, vice-president; F. A. Blakeslee, secretary and treasurer, and 
Charles Stickley, manager. 

The Stickley- Brandt Furniture company was incorporated December 
22, 1896, with $30,000 capital, by Charles Stickley, S. C. Brandt and 
Charles H. Hall. The officers are S. C. Brandt, president; Charles 
Stickley, vice-president, and C. H. Hall, secretary and treasurer. 

The Star Chair company was incorporated January 11, 1896, with 
$40,000 capital, by Watson A., Charles A. and Sidney J. Heath. The 
company works on Water street were burned a year or two ago. 

The Bayless Pulp and Paper company was incorporated March 11, 
1893, with $75,000 capital. The company, however, was the outgrowth 
of a general pulp and paper manufacturing business started by Bayless 
& Co. more than ten years previous to the incorporation. The iacor- 
porators were George C. Bayless, Franklin J. Bayless, John Bayless, 
Merritt J. Corbett, Julius C. Fish, Adelbert J. Schlager and John B. 
Simpson. George C. Bayless has been president of the company since 
the incorporation. The other officers are A. J. Schlager, vice-president, 
and Franklin J. Bayless, secretary and treasurer. Directors, G. C. Bay- 
less, F. J. Bayless, John B. Simpson, M. W. Scott, John Bayless and J. 
C. Fish. The company works are south of Robinson street, between 
the tracks of the D., L. & W. and the D. & H. railroad companies. 

The Noyes Comb factory has been one of the prominent manufactur- 
ing concerns of the city almost thirty-five years. In the spring of 1865 
E. M. and J. P. Noyes came to Binghamton from Newark, N. J., 
(Elfano M. and Joseph P. Noyes were born in Essex county, Mass., 
and removed with their father to Newark, in 1842. Comb making 
has been a trade in the Noyes family since 1759) and started in 
business on Sanford street, in a building now occupied by the Wilkin- 
son Manufacturing company. In 1866 they bought of Frederick Lewis 



474 BINGHAMTON ITS SETTLEMENT, 

the old Lewis mill property at the head of Water street, and converted 
the buildings into a comb factory. The business was conducted by E. 
M. Noyes & Brother, until 1879, when Joseph P. Noyes purchased his 
partner's interest and organized the firm so long afterward known 
in business circles as J. P. Noyes & Co. During the period of its his- 
tory several changes have been made in the personnel of the firm, but 
the business has always been conducted prudently and successfully. 
The present members of the firm are Joseph P., Joseph K. and Thomas 
M. Noyes. 

The Binghamton Oil Refining company is another old industry of the 
city and is the outgrowth of the " Continuous Oil Refining company," 
which was organized in 1867 or "68. The present company was organ- 
ized in 1872 with Edward C. Kattell, president; Erastus Evans, vice- 
president, and John Stuart Wells, secretary. Col. Wells was the founder 
in fact of the concern. The business of the company is sufficiently in- 
dicated by its name. The present officers are J. Stuart Wells, presi- 
dent ; E. E. Kattell, secretary, treasurer and manager. 

The Burcey Chemical company, now better known perhaps as the 
Manhattan Spirit company, was organized in 1877, the plant then 
being removed from Waterbury, Conn., to this city by Charles J. 
T. Burcey, the practical founder of the business of manufacturing wood 
alcohol and diamond methyl, both valuable commodities in the me- 
chanical arts. On June 15, 1882 a re-incorporation was effected under 
the name first mentioned by Jehiel Berkalew, H. W. Brandt, John Bay- 
less, Dudley T. Finch, Abram Kerry, John McDougall and W. W. 
Mumf ord . When the company was absorbed by the trust — the Manhat- 
tan Spirit company — the old concern lost its identity as a local institu- 
tion. The present resident manager of the works is W. S. Brandt. 

The Whitney-Noyes Seed company, another industry of importance 
in the city, was incorporated November 14, 1882, by Charles A. Whit- 
ney, E. M. Noyes, Wm. B. Edwards, Joseph P. Noyes, Robert Hooper, 
D. L. Brownson and S. J. Hirschmann. The company had $10,000 
capital, and its object was the purification of seeds and grain. The 
works were in operation about twelve years after which the business 
was discontinued and moved to Buffalo. 

The Joost Cracker and Baking company, now a branch of the Na- 
tional Biscuit company, was incorporated November 18, 1872, with 
$15,000 capital. The first trustees were Martin Joost, Charles C. Jack- 
son and William H. Joost. This is the only concern of its kind in the 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 475 

city, and is the source of much good to our people. The active' man- 
ager of the company is Charles C. Jackson. The company was the 
outgrowth of a bakery started by L. B. Smith & Co. many years ago 
and having a place of business at No. 68 Court street. John H. Joost, 
founder of the enlarged enterprise, died in 1881, and in the same year 
the works were removed to their present quarters on State street and 
Commercial avenue. In this connection it may be stated that the oldest 
baker (now retired from business) in the city is Duncan R. Grant, who 
started in business in 1855 and continued nearly half a century. The 
first baker was probably Solomon Orcutt, who came from Madison 
county about 1825. 

The Binghamton Glass company was incorporated in 1897, yet the 
history of glass manufacturing in the city dates back to the year 1880, 
when the first company was formed and began business. John B. Van 
Name, Sigmund J. Hirschmann and William E. Taylor were among 
those financially interested in the concern. The incorporators of the 
present company were Milton and John B. Yetter, Frank E. Dennis, 
F. B. Overfield, James Warner and M. P. Farrell. The works employ 
about 150 men. The officers of the company are Milton Yetter, presi- 
dent; W. H. Cannon, vice-president; James Warner, secretary, and 
John B. Yetter, treasurer. 

The manufacture of overalls in Binghamton was begun in an exceed- 
ingly small way in 1879 by Reed B. Freeman, who cut out the garments 
from patterns and produced the manufactured article with the assist- 
ance of his wife. The goods found ready sale in the markets, therefore 
in 1881 Mr. Freeman, in partnership with Abel Bennett, established 
the Freeman Overall company, continued it successfully until 1884, 
when the firm was dissolved, Mr. Bennett retiring. Soon afterward 
H. F. Barrett became Mr. Freeman's partner, and continued business 
until 1885, when the Barrett interest was sold to James S. Cary. In 
1891 Mr. Cary became sole proprietor of the Freeman Overall company, 
but in the same year Mr. Freeman again set up in business under the 
style of Binghamton Overall company, first occupying quarters in the 
Republican building, but removing in 1893 to the Clock building on 
Wall street. In this factory alone 250 employees are engaged in the 
manufacture of overalls, jackets and lined duck coats. 

The Bennett Manufacturing company, a copartnership, began the 
manufacture of overall goods in 1885, occupying a large building on 
Water street. On January 23, 1894, the firm changed to Bennett & 



476 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

Kendall, though the distinguishing name of Bennett Manufacturing 
company has always been preserved This is one of the largest con- 
cerns in the city and employs about 300 hands in making pants, over- 
alls and sack coats. 

The Freeman Overall company has been mentioned in a preceding 
paragraph. In 1891 James S. Gary became sole owner of the company 
and works and has since continued the business with gratifying results. 
Ralph S. Gary, son of the proprietor, is the general manager of the 
company. Mr. Gary employs about 150 hands in the manufacture of 
his goods. 

Smith, Kinney & Go., wholesale merchants in the city since 1867, be- 
gan the manufacture of overalls and sack coats about ten years ago, 
and in their works on Ghenango street employ about 130 hands. 

One of the old-time industries of the village of Binghamton was 
Quaife's brewery, which stood on South street east of the Rockbottom 
bridge. There may have been and undoubtedly were other similar 
concerns in the village, yet Quaife's brewery was a well known institu- 
tion and a much frequented resort, hence is more easily recalled than 
others of perhaps less prominence. The buildings were burned many 
years ago. 

The White & Fuller brewery on Gollier street, south of and adjoining 
Evans' basin, was one of the largest concerns of its kind in the village 
in early days ; and under successive proprietors it has had a continued 
and generally healthful existence to the present time. The buildings 
were erected and the business begun in 1848, under the proprietorship 
of Lewis S. White and Joel Fuller, each of whom was connected with 
the works until the time of his death. Mr. White died first, after 
which Mr. Fuller continued business alone for a time. After the death 
of the latter the property passed through several proprietorships and 
eventually came into the hands of O'Brien & Roberts, who bought the 
plant on speculation, but still continued the business. In 1891 this firm, 
who were lawyers, established the Golumbia Brewing company. After 
a time George W. Little acquired an interest, and with Mr. O'Brien 
carried on the business until the latter sold out to H. M. Gitchell. Lit- 
tle & Gitchell operated the brewery until May 1, 1898, when the senior 
partner became sole proprietor. This manufactory is noted for the 
quality of its product. It has a capacity for the manufacture of about 
15,000 barrels of ale annually. 

Lewis West was for a time proprietor of a small brewery on Mt. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 477 

Prospect, but the venture was not specially profitable, hence business 
was discontinued. 

The Parlor City Brewery for the manufacture of ales and porter was 
established in 1881 by John Ehresman and Jacob Schwab. Business 
began with an annual output of less than 4,000 barrels but in later 
years it increased to from 15,000 to 20,000 barrels per year. The pro- 
prietors under the firm name of John Ehresman & Co. are still in busi- 
ness and are numbered among the city's substantial men. 

The Joseph Laurer Brewing company was incorporated and began 
business in 1881, with a capital of $10,000. The incorporators, who 
were the first directors, were John Ehresman, Jacob Schwab, Joseph 
Laurer, John W. Kennedy, John A. O'Hara, L. S. Baldwin and J. S. 
McDonald. The first president was Jacob Schwab, who still holds that 
office. The same also is true of vice-president Kennedy and secretary 
O'Hara. Treasurer Laurer died in June, 1882, and was succeeded by 
John Ehresman, who is still in office. This company employs about 
twenty men and produces annually about 20,000 barrels of lager beer. 

In 1850 Horace N. Lester, a native of East Haddam, Conn., came to 
Binghamton and started a retail shoe business. In 1854 George W. 
Lester came here and on September 21 of that year the firm of Lester 
Bros. & Co. was incorporated for the extensive manufacture of boots 
and shoes. Thus was laid the foundation of one of the most successful 
enterprises of the city in later years, and one which has continued to 
the present day, although the factory is now removed from the city to 
the adjoining village of Lestershire. Horace N. Lester died October 
1, 1882, and was succeeded in business by his son, G. Harry Lester, 
who conceived the idea of founding a manufacturing village on the 
western border of the city. Lestershire is the result of Harry Lester's 
energy. 

Judson Smith came to Binghamton in 1852 and in a small way began 
making boots and shoes. In the course of a few years he enlarged the 
business into general manufacturing and sale outside the village. He 
was succeeded in 1869 by his sons H. E. and A. E. Smith, who con- 
tinued the business about twelve years. 

In 1865 James M. and Frederick F. Stone started a boot and shoe 
factory on Water street and began business on a small scale, gradually 
enlarging the output, however, as the demand for their goods increased. 
In 1868 William E. Knight was taken into the firm, the style of which 
then changed to J. M. Stone & Co. On January 1, 1877, Henry A. Goff 



478 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

became a member of the firm, the name then changing- to Stone, Goff & 
Co. F. F. Stone died in 1879, and on January 1, 1880, Herbert E. 
Stone was admitted to the firm. In 1881 the large brick factory build- 
ing on Water street was erected, and in later years gave employment 
to more than 100 workmen. The business was eventually sold to Stone 
& Germond (H. E. Stone and Joseph S. Germond), and by them was 
continued several years. 

In 1867 Anderson & Tremain (John Anderson and William Tremain) 
started a boot and shoe factory on Court street, at the corner of Cedar 
(now Centenary) street. In 1871 the works were removed to Water 
street. In 1873 William Hammond became a partner in the business, 
upon which the firm name changed to Anderson, Tremain & Co. In 
1874 Mr. Hammond retired and was succeeded by James B. Gregg, the 
firm style then changing to Anderson, Tremain & Gregg. Mr. Tre- 
main retired from the firm in 1876, and in 1878 Dudley W. Gregg be- 
came a partner, the firm then taking the style of Anderson, Gregg & 
Son, and so continued until 1883 when Gregg & Son became sole pro- 
prietors. About five years later the firm suspended business. 

Benson, Bucklin & Co. began the manufacture of boots and shoes in 
1871. Soon afterward the firm changed to Benson & Tenbrook, and in 
1873 to B. S. Benson & Co., who continued the business several years. 

Mead & Benedict were manufacturers of ladies' fine shoes about five 
years during the 'seventies. 

In 1885 and '86 Wideman & Co. were manufacturers of shoes in the 
city. In 1887 Charles B. Johnson, Mr. Wideman's partner, withdrew 
from the firm and formed a partnership with Mr. Lamb under the style 
of Johnson & Lamb, manufacturers of ladies' fine shoes. In 1894 Mr. 
Johnson succeeded the firm and has since continued the business with 
a fair degree of success, employing about forty workmen. This is the 
only shoe factory of any prominence now in the city. 

Cigar Manufacturers. — This city began to attract attention as a cigar 
manufacturing center soon after 1870, although the period of greatest 
production was not reached until after 1880. In 1850 only two or three 
practical cigar makers were at work in the village, and their small 
product was sold almost entirely to the local tradesmen. In 1851 
Charles Butler began making cigars for the village merchants, and four 
workmen were sufficient to produce all the manufactured goods then 
sold. In 1854 Mr. Butler increased his force of hands and began mak- 
ing cigars for the jobbing trade. In 1857 Harvey Westcott leased the 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 479 

ground floor and also the upper part of the old Congdon Hall block 
and employed about fifteen workmen in manuacturing cigars for both 
the local and jobbing trade. In 1858 the manufacturers and dealers in 
cigars in the village were Diblin & Butler, Daniel Evans, Henderer & 
Carman and Westcott, Benedict & Co. At that time all cigars were 
made by hand, by experienced workmen, and such a thing as "shaper" 
or " mold " work was unheard of. Lyman Clock is believed to have 
been the first proprietor to introduce molds into the city, and his action 
was the outgrowth of a misunderstanding with workmen in the nature 
of a "strike." Shaper- made cigars of a cheaper grade were found to 
sell well in the markets, hence the use of "forms" in all the large shops 
soon became general. This process in the manufacture, however, was 
not introduced until after 1870, at a time when Binghamton cigars stood 
highest and were in great demand all through the United States. 

During the ten years next following 1870 the city attained a standing 
of remarkable prominence in the production of cigars, and took rank as 
the second city in the Union in that production. This was a subject of 
frequent discussion, and the question was asked why Binghamton hap- 
pened to enjoy this special prominence in being the center of such an 
extensive trade ; but the inquiry never has been satisfactorily answered 
unless the enquirer is satisfied with the reply that "it happened so." 
This is quite true; it did "happen so," and the success of one proprietor 
led to an investment in the same line by others, with equally gratifying 
results, and at last, when the industry was at its best, there was in op- 
eration in the city nearly a hundred factories, great and small. 

The wiseacres claimed that the business would at length decline and 
that our fair city would lose its prestige as a cigar manufacturing cen- 
ter, but the activity which now prevails in the more than eighty facto- 
ries within the corporate limits is a positive denial of the assertion. 
The business was perhaps at its best between 1885 and 1890, but in the 
year last mentioned there arose a serious misunderstanding between 
employers and employees which involved nearly every shop in the city. 
The result was a general strike, and for a time it appeared as if the 
prediction of the wiseacres would prove true. The disturbance con- 
tinued several months and resulted in serious financial loss both to the 
manufacturers and the wage earners; and a few of the proprietors were 
forced out of business. After the difficulty had been settled there fol- 
lowed a period of depression which affected all branches of manufac- 
ture, and that of cigar making on a large scale suffered with the others. 



480 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

This period continued several years, and not until about 1895 did the 
old-time prosperity return to the cigar makers of the city. In that year 
sixty-five firms and proprietors were engaged in this special manufac- 
ture. That there has been a subsequent healthful increase in the in- 
dustry is shown in the fact that in 1899 the number of manufacturers 
in the city is seventy, and that every shop is working to its fullest ca- 
pacity. It is estimated that at least 5,000 employees are now at work in 
the city factories. This means a weekly pay roll of from $10,000 to 
$55,000, the earnings of employees varying from $5 paid to inexpe- 
rienced hands to about $15 earned by skilled workmen. 

It is now almost impossible to recall the names of all the manufac- 
turers who have been engaged in business in Binghamton during the 
last thirty years, therefore for the purposes of this chapter the reader 
will be content with a mention of the names of those who were oper- 
ating factories at stated intervals; and it is also impossible to accurately 
state the annual output of the several shops as the number of cigars 
made has varied with the capacity of the factories, some of them making 
less than 50,000 per year, while the larger producers have at times made 
from twenty millions to thirty millions of cigars annually. 

In 1860 the cigar manufacturers were Diblin & Butler, Benedict & 
Smith, Henderer & Carman, and H. Westcott & Co. 

In 1865 the manufacturers were Thomas P. Carman, C. B. Clark, N. 
W. Haines & Co., Reed & Butler, and Westcott & Brother. 

In 1870 the manufacturers were Butler & Seymour, A. S. Gaskin & 
Co., Westcott & Kent, Isaac Hanchett, and Hull & Lane. 

In 1880 the principal manufacturers were H. T. Alden, Butler & 
Wilcox, O. W. Earle, John Hull, jr., & Co., Kendall, Clock & Co., 
George A. Kent & Co., O'Brien & Murray, H. F. Rose, Scott Bros., 
C. B. Smith, jr., J. B. Simpson & Co., Westcott, Son & Co., and Wil- 
cox Bros. & Co. 

In 1890 the principal manufacturers were H. T. Alden, Barlow, 
Rogers & Simpson, Binghamton Cigar Co., H, Barnard, William 
Branan, Charles Butler & Co., Carter & Darrow, Lyman Clock, Son & 
Co., Cook, Strickland & Co., Cox & Sears, Derwilliger & Hollister, 
Empire State Cigar Co., Folmsbee, Ives & Co., Isaac Hanchett, F. J. 
Hill, Charles Hull, Hull, Grummond & Co., George A. Kent & Co., F. 
R. Keyes & Co., McCarthy Bros., C, C. Merrill & Son, William H. 
Ogden & Co., Ostrom, Barnes & Co., Pratt, Imhoff & Co., Reynolds, 
Rogers & Co., Reynolds & Lovelace, F. B, Richards & Co., Rossville 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, 481 

Manufacturing Co., J. M. Russell, N. Schubmehl, George Scott, C. B. 
Smith, jr., & Co., Van Wormer, Gumberg & Co., Charles C. Wells, 
and Wright & O'Connor. In this year a total of fifty factories was in 
operation. 

In 1899 the principal manufacturers were H. T. Alden, Barlow, 
Rogers & Co., Edward A. Barnard, Barnes, Smith & Co., Binghamton 
Cheroot Co., Binghamton Cigar Co., William Branan, F. B.Campbell, 
W. T. Clarke & Co., J. B. Clock,0. J. Coughlin, Empire State Cigar Co., 
English & Mills, C. E. Folmsbee & Co., Joseph Gilbert, Griggs & Berk- 
ley, John Gumberg, Isaac Hanchett Cigar Co., Hennessey Bros., Hill 
Bros., Hull Bros., Hull, Grummond & Co., Peter M. Hummell & Co., 
International Cigar Co., G. O. Ives, George A. Kent & Co., Elmer E. 
Kirkland, Fred. Moon & Co., New York Cigar Co., William H. Ogden & 
Co., Payne & Kingsbury, William Pottberg, Reynolds, Lay & Co., F. B. 
Richards & Co., J. M. Russell, George Scott, E. E. Shoemaker & Co., 
Slattery & Buckland, C. A. Smith, C. B. Smith, jr., Snell & Co., Thomas 
Thorne, William Van Wormer, and Charles C. Wells & Co. More than 
seventy factories are now in operation in the city. 

It will be seen from what is stated in preceding paragraphs that many 
of the manufacturing interests of the city are in the hands of incorporated 
companies, thus affording an opportunity for investment by persons who 
do not give direct attention to the business. It has been estimated that 
there are residing in Binghamton at least two hundred men of means who 
are practically retired from active pursuits, but invest their money in 
corporate companies and derive therefrom an annual dividend. In ad- 
dition to the interests referred to in preceding paragraphs allusion may 
also be made to still others, all of which are owned by corporations, 
although some of them are not now in active operation. 

The Binghamton Woolen company was incorporated June 24, 1891, 
with $2,500 capital, by Erastus Ross, C. A. Lull, J. B. Lull, F. E. Ross 
and RoUin W. Meeker. The works were located in Rossville and were 
operated for a time with only moderate success. 

The Binghamton Industrial exposition, whose annual meeting at Stow 
park has been the means of drawing many strangers into the city, was 
incorporated September 28, 1891, with $20,000 capital. The first board 
of trustees comprised James K. Welden, Julius E. Rogers, Erastus C. 
Delavan, Henry S. Martin, Clarence F. Hotchkiss, Fred H. Matthews, 
Charles H. Niven, J. M. Seabury, M. McMahon, Edward A. Pierce, T. 

31 



483 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

I. Lacy and John P. E. Clark. The present officers are J. E. Rogers, 

president ;H. S. Martin, secretary ; U. S. Stevens, treasurer. 

The Binghamton Awning- and Tent company was incorporated De- 
cember 29, 1893, with $5,000 capital, by J. B. Morrell, F. M. McWill- 
iams, Robert C. Clarke, Joseph Leavy and Leonard V. Strong. The 
company carried on business in Rossville several years, but was suc- 
u ceeded by the Clark Turner Manufacturing company, which was inCor- 

" porated March 7, 1897, with $7,500 capital, and with Robert C. Clarke, 

William A. Turner and Robert M. Whiting as directors. The company 
manufactures awnings, tents, flags and sportsmen's goods. 

The Binghamton General Electric company was incorporated June 

II, 1893, and was a consolidation of other companies engaged in the 
business of illuminating the city with electric light. The first directors 
of the consolidated company were George W. Dunn, John Marsh, Frank 
Gould, Robert E. Drake, Paul T. Brady, J. E. Shapley and James H. 
Roberts. The present officers are George W. Dunn, president; George 
F. O'Neil, vice-president; James H. Roberts, secretary and treasurer, 

_ and S. C. Normile, superintendent. 

The Binghamton Cheroot company was incorporated April 11, 1895, 
and is allied to the cigar manufacturing industry of the city. The first 
directors were George A. Kent, George H. Barlow, William Rood, John 
I Hull, Frederick W. Grummond, Frank R.Keyes and Charles A. Baker. 

The officers are John Hull, president; George A. Kent, vice-president; 
George H. Barlow, treasurer; Frederick W. Grummond, secretary. 

The Columbian Manufacturing company was incorporated January 
27, 1893, for the purpose of operating a machine and repair shop and for 
the manufacture and sale of water and electric motors. The company 
comprised Eli S. andRollin W. Meeker, S. H. Sharpstien, F. E. Rossand 
L. M. Blanding. The company is not now in existence. 

The Empire Grain Elevator company was incorporated May 11, 1891, 
for the purpose of conducting a general grain and elevator business in 
this city. The incorporators were Leslie M. Wilson, James H. Torrey, 
J. P. Albro, T. H. Wilson and G. H. Comstock. 

The Ensign Lumber company was incorporated October 26, 1897, for 
the purpose of carrying on a general lumber and builders' supply busi- 
ness. The capital stock was $40,000. The directors were Edward G. 
Ensign, Israel T. Deyo and Walker F. Sherwood. The present officers 
are E. G. Ensign, president; L T. Deyo, vice-president; W. F. Sher- 
wood, secretary and treasurer. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 483 

The Elk Drug company was incorporated June 24, 1897, with $12,000 
capital, the object being to carry on a general wholesale drug business 
in this city. The incorporators were Chas. H. Loveland, Rodney A. 
Knapp and Chas. J. Knapp. 

Hull, Grummond & Co. were incorporated April 22, 1895, to con- 
tinue a previously existing partnership. The company conducts one of 
the largest cigar factories in the city. 

The Ingalls Stone company was incorporated May 27, 1899, with 
$30,000 capital, by Charles B. Ingalls, Nathaniel Compton and Arthur 
Schwartzenbach. The company owns and operates one of the largest 
and best stone cutting establishments in the southern tier, and although 
a comparatively new industry in the city it nevertheless is of great im- 
portance among local business interests. The present active managers 
of the business are Charles C. Ingalls and Nathaniel Compton. The 
works are on Eldridge street, east of the D. & H. freight house. 

The Keyes-Baker Cigar Rolling Machine company was incorporated 
April 8, 1895, with $600,000 authorized capital. The object of the 
company is to manufacture and sell a machine for making cigars. The 
first directors were F. R. Keyes, Chas. A. Baker, George H. Barlow, 
John Hull, John Brand, Charles Woodruff, Cyrus Strong, jr., Sigmund 
J. Hirschmann, E. L. Rose, A. S. Miner and George A, Kent. 

The Nineteen Hundred Washer company was incorporated January 
17, 1898, with $12,000 capital. The first directors and stockholders, 
who are still in office, were Thomas B. Crary, Marcus A. Miller and 
Roraaine F. Bieber. The object of the company is to manufacture and 
sell the famous "1900" washing machine, a patented article designed 
for laundry and household use. Among the thousands of washing ma- 
chines heretofore put on the market the 1900 washer undoubtedly ranks 
as the best. 

The Ogden Brick company was incorporated June 22, 1891, with a 
capital of $10,000, the first directors being Frank C. Ogden, Walter P. 
Pratt, Caroline E. Ogden, Minnie E. Ogden and Carrie L. Pratt. The 
company was the outgrowth of a brick manufacturing business estab- 
lished many years ago and afterward carried on by Henry B. Ogden, 
succeeded by Walter P. Pratt. The personnel of the company, how- 
ever, has changed materially since the incorporation was effected. The 
present president of the company is Henry L. Beach; W. P. Pratt, 
manager. 

The Park Blanket mills was incorporated September 24, 1896, with 



484 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

$5,000 capital, and with Clinton F. Paige, F. E. Ross and James R. 
Holman as its first board of directors. This company is not now in 
business. 

The Standard Pharmacal company was incorporated April 16, 1895, 
with $20,000 capital, for the purpose of manufacturing and selling the 
Standard remedies which du.ing recent years have attracted consider- 
able attention in circles where proprietary medicines are most used. 
The first directors of the company were A. Lee Tiffany, W. S. Over- 
ton, A. E. Magoris and George Fowler. 

The Star Electric company was incorporated December 4, 1896, with 
an authorized capital of $100,000, by George S. Beach, Clarence 3. 
Beach, Samuel H. Chase and Herman W. Doughty. The company 
manufactures and deals in all electrical specialties, the works being at 
Nos. 277-79 Front street; the oflEicers are George S. Beach, president; 
Clarence S. Beach, secretary and manager, and H. W. Doughty, treas- 
urer. 

In addition to the manufacturing interests referred to on preceding 
pages incidental mention also may be made of the Eureka Awning and 
Tent Co., F. G. Barbour, manager; E. H. Titchener & Co., manufac- 
turers of blind staples and wire goods; The Bingham ton Cigar Box Co., 
at No. 4 South street and Joseph W. Lacy's cigar box factory, on Water 
street; H. I. Haring, brass founder; the Magoris Cactus Fibre Brush 
Co., of Rossville; Persels & Mack, harness manufacturers, an old and 
well established industry; The Bunn Cigar Rolling Machine Co. ; The 
Binghamton Electrical Construction Co., Charles F. Terhune, president, 
and L. M. Blanding, secretary and treasurer; The Binghamton Gas 
Engine Co., M. L. Deyo, president, D. H. Carver, vice-president, and 
H. A. Miles, secretary and treasurer; The Binghamton Lithograph Co., 
Charles S. Case, proprietor; Harris' Flavoring works, F. E. Harris, 
proprietor; The Binghamton Glove Co., F. J. Bryant, proprietor; Joles 
& Brown, glove makers; The Parlor City Glove and Mitten Co.; The 
Rossville Acid works, also known as The Binghamton Chemical Co., 
John O. Porter, proprietor; The Independent Match Co., C. M. Stone, 
president, and C. H. Webster, secretary and treasurer; Frank Beman's 
organ factory, an industry of far more importance than outward appear- 
ances indicate; The Binghamton Computing Scale Co.; The Bingham- 
ton Whip Co., Lucius Woodruff, proprietor; The Binghamton Wire 
works, David Campbell, proprietor; Wm. P. Davis' Wire works. 

T/ie Bingliamton Gas Light Company was organized under a charter 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 485 

dated July 23, 1853, with $50,000 capital. The first directors were 
William R. Osborne, Charles McKinney, Jacob Morris, Edward Tomp- 
kins, Lemuel H. Davis, John Lee and Dwight E. Ray. The board was 
organized in August, 1853, with Jacob Morris president, and William 
R Osborne, secretary and treasurer. The company's works were located 
at the foot of Washington street, and were maintained in that locality 
until October, 1888, when they were removed to the head of Court 
street. The new site was purchased on May 2, of that year, and the 
buildings were erected immediately afterward. 

The Binghamton Gas Light company and the Brush-Swan Electric 
Light and Power company, the latter having been formed in the mean- 
time, were consolidated November 18, 1887, forming the Binghamton 
Gas and Electric company. This arrangement was continued, the 
company furnishing both gas and electric light to city consumers, 
until May 10, 1890, when the electric department was sold to George J. 
Morse and others and was eventually merged into the Binghamton Gen- 
eral Electric company, of which mention has been made. 

In the meantime, however, the Binghamton Gas and Electric com- 
pany sold its stock, plant and works to the Binghamton Gas works, the 
latter having been incorporated April 1, 1898, with an authorized capi- 
tal of $750,000, and an actual capital of $450,000. The directors of the 
new corporation were (and are) James W. Manier, William G. Phelps, 
Charles M. Stone, George F. O'Neil, Charles C. Jackson, George W. 
Dunn, Sigmund J Hirschmann, M. C. McMillin and W. F. Douth- 
wirt. The officers were (and are) M. C. McMillin, president; James 
W. Manier, vice-president; Robert W. Manier, treasurer; W. F. Douth- 
wirt, secretary, and Fred. B. Wheeler, general manager. 

The company has about 33 miles of main pipe and about 3,000 gas 
consumers in the city. General Manager Wheeler has laid fifteen miles 
of main pipe within the last fourteen months. The first superintendent 
of the works was Harris G. Rodgers, whose service in that capacity be- 
gan in 1853. This position was filled by competent men until the of- 
fice was finally abolished, and that of general manager established in 
its place. Mr. Wheeler is the only person who has filled the position of 
general manager. 

In this connection it is interesting to note the succession of presidents 
of the company from the time the works were originally established in 
1853, viz. : Jacob Morris, 1853-57; Charles McKinney, 1857-58; Sher- 
man D. Phelps, 1858-62; Charles McKinney, 1862-69; Sherman D. 



486 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Phelps, 1869-80 ; Robert S. Phelps, 1880-82; James W. Manier, 1882-98; 
M. C. McMillin, 1898-99. 

Security Mutual Life Insurance Company. — This is neither a manu- 
facturing nor a mercantile corporation, yet it is an institution of such 
prominence and character in the history of the city that some mention 
of it in this chapter is necessary. On November 16, 1886, the Security 
Mutual Life Association, a purely mutual insurance concern, was 
brought into existence. The incorporators were John Ray Clarke, 
James W. Manier, Rozelle H. Meagley, Harvey J. Gaylord, James M. 
Stone, A. Corbin, William G. Phelps, Charles M. Turner and Charles 
F. Tupper. The first officers were John Ray Clarke, president; Harvey 
J. Gaylord, vice-president; Charles F. Tupper, secretary; Charles A. 
Ladue, assistant secretary ; James W. Manier, treasurer; Charles M. 
Turner, general manager; Charles C. Edwards, medical director ; Arms 
& Curtiss, counsel. 

Thus organized and officered with the best business men of the city 
to guide and direct its affairs, the Security Mutual began business. A 
few hundred certificates were issued in 1887, for at that time purely 
mutual insurance, not being thoroughly understood by the masses of 
the people, was unpopular, and its past experiences had been unsatis- 
factory. In the general outlook at the time there was much to dis- 
courage and little to encourage a new mutual company ; but the man- 
aging officers of the association were men of unquestioned integrity 
and of strong determination, and by earnest hard work the association 
on January 1, 1888, was able to report $1,034,000 insurance in force, 
and $15,031.73 assets. Two years later, January 1, 1890, the report 
showed more than $3,500,000 insurance in force, and nearly $80,000 
assets. 

The two years specially referred to indicate the history of the com- 
pany through all subsequent years, and never at any time has there 
been a retrograde movement. As shown by the report of July 1, 1899, 
the amount of insurance in force was almost $26,000,000; the assets 
more than $750,000, and the number of policies outstanding about 
13,000. The company also has materially benefited its condition and 
standing in the insurance world by compliance with the state law and 
qualifying under the "stipulated premium act." This action placed 
the Security Mutual on an equal footing with the old line companies 
and also removed the possibility of further charges (however unjust 
and unwarranted) of being in any manner allied to assessment insur- 
ance. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 487 

John Ray Clarke was president of the company to the time of his 
death, August 19, 1890, when Harvey J. Gaylord was elected to the 
vacancy. Mr. Gaylord soon resigned and Henry J. Reinraund was 
elected his successor, serving until succeeded by the present president, 
William G. Phelps. 

Mr. Gaylord on resigning the presidency was elected vice-president 
in place of Mr. Stone, the latter then being chosen 2d vice-president of 
the company and retaining that office to the time of his death. 

Charles F. Tupper, the first secretary, was succeeded by Charles M. 
Turner, the latter thereafter having performed the combined duties of 
secretary and general manager. Indeed, Mr. Turner was the founder 
in fact of the association and placed its affairs upon a secure and lasting 
foundation. It was through his efforts, too, that the association dropped 
its former character and became a life insurance company, with all the 
increased privileges and benefits of such a measure. Mr. Turner's 
work has been materially lessened by the faithful services of Charles 
A. Ladue, who has been assistant secretary of the company since it was 
founded in 1886. 

The present officers of the company are as follows : William G. Phelps, 
president; Harvey J. Gaylord, vice-president; James M. Stone (now 
dead), 2d vice-president; James W. Manier, treasurer; Z. Bennett 
Phelps, comptroller; F. W. Jenkins, counsel; R. L, Lounsberry, med- 
ical director; Charles A. Ladue, assistant secretary; A. B. Howe, su- 
pervisor; Joseph B. Abbott, cashier; Charles M. Turner, secretary and 
general manager. 

MERCANTILE INTERESTS. 

The last quarter of a century has witnessed many and wonderful 
changes in the business history of the city, and in no department has 
there been a greater change than in its mercantile interests. Few in- 
deed of the old names of business men and firms are now to be found 
and almost an entire new generation of factors has taken their place. 
Still, in passing through Court street between the Chenango bridge and 
Carroll street the observer, if he be an old resident, occasionally is 
greeted with a familiar name, but the great majority of proprietors' 
names are new, and the now middle-aged native of the city feels almost 
like a stranger amid new scenes. Of the old Court street merchants 
the business names of Hirschmann, Sisson, Weed, Sears, Newton, Leet, 
HoUister, Harris, Whitney, Smith (The People's store), Webster, and 



488 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLP:MENT, 

possibly others may still be seen, but even then nearly all the founders of 
the houses are gone and their sons have taken the vacant places and 
continued the business, preserving as far as possible the old firm names. 
No less noticeable is the change on Washington street, where hardly 
one of the "old-timers " or their representatives are now doing busi- 
ness. State street is almost new as a business thoroughfare, having 
been built up with substantial business blocks within the last twenty- 
five years ; and where once was the course of the Chenango canal is 
now a paved street, ever noisy with the clatter of wagons and the 
"clang" of the electric car gongs. 

On Water street is still preserved the old names of Thayer, Bean, 
Goff, Harding, Talbot, Bennett and perhaps a few others, while on 
Chenango street the business buildings are of recent construction. 
Henry and Hawley streets also as business streets are comparatively 
new, yet on the former is still seen the old names of Shapley & Wells, 
Bartlett and Bloomer. 

Like changes are noticeable in other portions of the business district, 
but on every hand are evidences of growth and prosperity, with no in- 
dication of decline. True, the city has suffered from the same periods 
of depression that have been visited upon all municipalities, yet serious 
disasters have been few. The stranger visiting Binghamton is at once 
favorably impressed with the surroundings, and the one thing above all 
others which first attracts attention is the infrequency of vacant stores, 
or "to rent" signs in the windows. This indicates a healthful busi- 
ness condition, and it cannot truthfully be said that building has 
been discontinued. Between 1880 and 1890 the city population more 
than doubled, and in a corresponding degree was there an increase in 
number both of dwelling houses and business blocks; and it is fair to 
assume that since 1890 the number of inhabitants has increased from 
10,000 to 12,000, with a proportionate enlargement of all business in- 
terests. 

Never in the history of the city has there been a greater number or 
variety of mercantile houses than now, and never has there been any 
disastrous results from over-competition. The branch of business first 
to suffer from such cause is the dry goods trade, but in each of pur four 
great department stores constant additions to the stock are being made; 
and to-day it is doubtful if any city in the state of 50,000 population can 
boast of houses equal to those of Sisson Bros. & Welden, Hirschmann 
Bros., Hills, McLean & Haskins, and the Boston store. 



GROWTH AND DEVEI.OPMENT. 



489 



Binghamton is purely an industrial and mercantile center, having 
manufacturing and wholesale houses equal in number and employing 
capacity to that of any city of like population in the state. It is esti- 




The original " Granite Block," built by Benj. F. Sisson in 1859. The cut shows the Court street 

Chenango canal bridge. 

mated that at least 400 commercial travelers are constantly on the road 
selling goods for Binghamton manufacturers or jobbers. These things 
certainly indicate a healthful condition of business affairs. 

Opera Houses. — When Binghamton was a village none of the amuse- 



490 BINGHAMTON ITS SETTLEMENT, 

ment-loving people of the place had the temerity to attempt to dignify 
the public halls with the name of " Opera house," and it was not until 
after the conversion of the old Congregational church edifice (on Che- 
nango street) into a play-house that the name " theatre" was adopted. 
The average citizen attended "the show." At that time every build- 
ing erected or arranged for purposes of public exhibitions and enter- 
tainments was called a "hall," and the village was well supplied with 
such places. In 1855 the chief place for holding theatrical exhibitions, 
when one "struck the town," was the upper floor of Brigham hall, so 
named after Elmer W. Brigham, who erected a large building at the 
corner of Court and Collier streets, where now stands the McNamara 
building. Next west of Brigham hall was the Congdon building, the 
the upper floor of which was fitted for entertainments and was called 
"Congdon hall," after the owner, the late Job N. Congdon; but in 
1858 Harvey Westcott rented the hall and turned it into a cigar factory. 
Eldredge hall, so named after Christopher Eldredge, was located on 
Washington street, about where now stands Shapley & Wells' office 
building. Firemen's hall came into existence in 1858 and was a noted 
place for public assemblages for many years. It stood where now is 
the Municipal building. La Fayette hall was at the southwest corner 
of Court and Water streets, in the La Fayette building. The hall was 
named after La Fayette Stocking, one of our old and worthy citizens. 
Matthews' hall was on Court street, over the store so long occupied by 
Alonzo C. Matthews, for whom the hall was named. 

The Academy of Music was the first regularly appointed play house 
in Binghamton, and was fitted for its new occupancy in 1864 by Ammi 
Doubleday, William P. Pope, William E. Taylor, Orlow W. Chapman 
and Elijah Brigham. The building stood on Chenango street on the 
site now occupied by Smith, Kinney & Co's. building, and was formerly 
the Congregational church edifice. It was a famous resort during the 
period of its history as a place of entertainment, and also was a source 
of profit to its owners. The building was burned January 2, 1884. 

Soon after the destruction of the Academy of Music several enter- 
prising men of the city remodeled the skating rink building at the cor- 
ner of Washington and Henry streets and produced the Binghamton 
Opera house, but notwithstanding the worthy attempt on the part of 
the proprietors the " long felt want " was not really filled. It answered 
the purpose, however, for a time, yet all through the period of its oper- 
ation the press of the city and the people in general were constantly 
propounding the inquiry, " Shall we have an opera house ? " 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 



491 



At length, however, and before all hearts had been made sick by 
" hope long deferred," Charles M. Stone came to the relief of the pub- 
lic, and in 1892 erected the Stone Opera house, one of the most complete, 
comfortable and commodious structures of its kind in this part of the 
state. It was placed and ever since has been kept under the manage- 
ment of John P. E. Clark, lessee (formerly associated with E. C. Dela- 
van), and as a result Binghamton now attracts the best companies of 
entertainers that "star on the road." 




The old " Binghamton Coffee House " stood on the site of this 
building, corner Court and Water streets. 



The Bijou, on Water street, was built by Lee M. Cafferty after the 
destruction by fire of his extensive livery stables that formerly occupied 
the site. The Bijou was erected in 1892, and is a conveniently and com- 
fortably appointed play house; and under popular management is a 
material addition to the entertaining capacity of the city. 

Hotels. — Binghamton has long been noted for the quality and enter- 
taining capacity of its public houses for the accommodation of travelers. 
With the constant increase in population and consequent increase in 
number of good hotel buildings the city has for the last few years at- 
tracted considerable attention as a desirable place for holding conven- 
tions, much to the benefit of all business interests. In the early his- 
tory of the village, as in more recent years, Binghamton was well sup- 
plied with public houses, the latter then being called taverns but after- 
ward dignified with the more appropriate name of hotels ; but even to 



492 



BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 



this day all legislative enactments refer to the proprietors of this branch 
of business as " inn, tavern or hotel keepers." 

At this late day it is almost impossible to recall the name, location 
and ownership of each tavern or hotel established during the century 
of our municipal history, yet in a way it is proposed to briefly mention 
some of the public houses which have been associated with the growth 
of the place. Lewis Keeler is believed to have been the pioneer land- 
lord, he having built a tavern on the southeast corner of Court and 
Water streets in 1801. It was called "Lewis Keeler's tavern," but 
later on under another landlord, the name was changed to Binghamton 




This old house was "Peterson's Inn," and stood on the present 

site of the First Congregational church, northwest 

corner of Front and Main streets. 



hotel. When Dr. Robinson and Major Morgan were proprietors it was 
known as the Binghamton "Coffee house." Still later the name be- 
came American hotel, and finally took the name of Cafferty house, in 
allusion to its proprietor, the late Charles M. Cafferty. At last the 
property was purchased by George F. O'Neil, by whom the building 
was remodeled and converted into stores and tenements. During the 
period of its historv the hotel on this site was at least once rebuilt and 
several times was remodeled, but through the more than eighty years 
of its existence it had not less than twenty landlords, among whom 
were some of the most prominent men of the place. Their names 
would form an interesting addition to this sketch, but the list cannot be 
given with accuracy. 

About 1803 Thomas Whitney opened a tavern in a building which 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 



493 



Gen. Whitney had purchased from Daniel Le Roy, and which stood 
where is now the City National bank. General Whitney and William 
Woodruff kept store in a part of the building previous to its destruction 
by fire in 1805. A new tavern was at once rebuilt on the site and 
" Squire " Woodruff was its landlord. The house afterward had various 
other proprietors, one of whom was Joseph Congdon. The building 
was eventually removed to the corner of Washington and Henry streets 
where it still does duty as a clothes cleaning and dyeing establishment. 
It is one of the oldest buildings in the city. 

In 1809 David Brownson built and opened a tavern on the west side 
of the Chenango river, on the corner where now stands the Congrega- 
tional church edifice. A few years afterward Samuel Peterson became 
landlord and changed the name to "Peterson's tavern," by which it was 
long afterward known. Under landlord Peterson the house was a famous 
resort, for he was one of the village worthies and an old soldier of the 
war of 1812-15. In later years the name was changed to the Chenango 
house, but in 1859 the buildings were burned. 




"Exchange Hotel," corner of Court and State Streets. 

The Broome County house, on the site of the present Exchange build- 
ing, was erected in 1828 by Lewis Squires and Joseph B. Abbott. The 
house was soon afterward sold to Lorenzo Seymour, under whose pro- 
prietorship in 1838 the building |was burned. It was at once rebuilt, 



494 



BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 



however, and took the name of " Phoenix" hotel. It was a noted hos- 
telry in its day, and when stage-coaching was at its height the house was 
one of the most popular resorts on the route between Kingston and 
Bath. About 1842 the name was changed to Exchange hotel, and was 
so continued until 1897, when the building was remodeled for mercan- 
tile and office occupancy. 

Way's hotel was built sometime during the 'thirties by Albert Way, 
and was conducted by him many years. It was a large frame building 
and occupied a prominent site on Court street where now stands the 
Hotel Crandall. A. J. Crandall, who was Albert Way's son-ir-law, be- 
came owner of the property and also carried on a hotel many years. 
Something like ten or twelve years ago the old building was replaced 
with a large four story brick structure, to which when finished the name 
Hotel Crandall was pfiven. 











"Lewis House," corner of Lewis street and Prospect avenue. 
Additions have been made to this building. 



The Lewis house was built in 1849 by Col. Hazard Lewis, immedi- 
ately after the opening of the Erie railroad, and has been maintained 
under its original name to the present day. During the early history 
frequent changes of proprietors were made, but in 1874 William Shan- 
ley purchased the property and has since been its owner and proprietor. 
The house is of frame construction and retains much of its original ap- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 495 

pearance, with the exception of the mansard roof, which the captain 
added (with another story) in 1881. The Lewis house always was, and 
still is, a comfortable traveler's home. 

The Mersereau house was built about 1850 and stood on the east side 
of Chenango street, just south of the Erie tracks. It was built for and 
kept by George W. Mersereau, one of the genial old landlords of the 
village, who was frequently known among his friends as " Fatty " Mer- 
sereau, in allusion to his extraordinary size rather than in ridicule, for 
Mr. Mersereau was in all respects a worthy citizen. About I860 the 
hotel property passed into the hands of Warren F. Spaulding, a very 
successful landlord, who made extensive additions and repairs to the 
hojse and changed its name to Spaulding house. In 1883 the property 
was sold to the D., L. & W. R. R. company, and the buildings were 
torn down. 

The Chenango house, a portion of which is still standing, was built 
previous to 1848 on the west side of Water street, south of Court street. 
In early days it was a popular house, and among its early proprietors 
were Orcutt & Freeman, partners and also characters in village his- 
tory. 

The Franklin house was the first frame hotel on Washington street 
south of Court street, and was built when the street first mentioned was 
known as Franklin street, from which the house took its name. The 
old buildings were burned during the incendiary fire period which 
caused so much commotion among our people during the 'sixties. The 
house was afterward rebuilt with brick, and was maintained for hotel 
purposes until about ten years ago when it was converted into stores. 

Hotel Bennett was built by Abel Bennett in 1881-82, and was the 
largest and best appointed public house in the southern tier. This 
character never has been lost, and to-day the Bennett is one of the most 
popular commercial hotels in the state. It original lessees were not 
particularly successful, but under landlord Furman a profitable business 
was soon established. The next proprietor was William G. Leland, 
under whom still greater results were achieved, and the patronage 
largely increased. Then came Hugh Hayt, an experienced landlord, 
who fully maintained the excellent reputation of the house. The next 
proprietor was C. D. White, a new man to the city but a landlord of 
experience and good capacity, Mr. White took possession in the fall 
of 1899 and now is proprietor of the hotel, with every prospect of future 
success. The Bennett is the largest hotel in the city and one of the 



496 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

largest in southern New York, having a capacity for more than 200 
guests. 

The ArHngton was built in 1887 by John W. Kennedy and Edward 
M. Tierney, both experienced hotel men and worthy citizens, well ac- 
quainted with the traveling trade and having full knowledge of the 
comforts most sought by commercial men. The result is that the 
Arlington is one of the best patronized houses in the city, all to the 
benefit of its proprietors. Moreover, the Arlington is one of the most 
completely appointed houses in the state and occupies a site where it 
naturally attracts the attention of a stranger. But then, almost every 
man who knows of Binghamton also knows of the fame of the Arling- 
ton, and also of its proprietors, Kennedy & Tierney, as the firm name 
is written. The house has a capacity to accommodate about 150 
guests. 

The Wales was built and opened in 1884 by Charles Wales, the house 
then being known as the " North Side " hotel. Mr. Wales was an old 
and experienced hotel man in Binghamton, and for several years was 
proprietor of the Chenango house on Water street. In 1889 Augustus 
G. and Charles S. Wales succeeded their father in business, but in 1894 
A. G. Wales was appointed deputy sheriff, upon which C. S. Wales be- 
came sole proprietor of the hotel. In 1899 the name was changed to 
" The Wales." The north side has a number of public houses, but the 
Wales is the leading hotel in that busy locality. The house has forty 
rooms. 

The claim is not made that this brief sketch of early and more recent 
hotels recalls the name and location of each public house that has been 
in operation in Binghamton, for such a list would be an impossibility 
at this late day. On this point the writer can only reiterate the former 
assertion that Binghamtion has long been noted for the number and 
quality of its hotels. Among the old taverns not previously mentioned 
the "Brandywine" maybe noted as having an existence more than 
forty years ago. It was built by John Whitney and was maintained as 
a hotel until about 1864, when it was changed into a school house of 
high grade. It is now the Lady Jane Grey school. 

Where now stands the Mandeville residence on Court street was an- 
other old tavern stand, but by whom and when built we have no pres- 
ent knowledge, The building was burned by accident soon after 1860. 
Over in the Fifth ward at least one hotel has been in operation for more 
than forty years. The same locality now has four hotels. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 497 

According to the most recent directory, the city has a total of fifty 
hotels of all grades, but a special mention of each in this chapter is not 
necessary. The city directory correctly gives their names, location 
and proprietorship. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

SOCIETIES— SECRET, SOCIAL AND BENEVOLENT. 

MASONIC. 

Free Masonry in Binghamton dates its history from the earliest years 
of the present century, while in the immediate vicinity its history may 
be traced to about the middle of the year 1798. On June 6 of the year 
mentioned the Grand lodge of the state of New York received a peti- 
tion "from Joshua Whitney and others to hold a lodge ia the town of 
Union, county of Tioga, and a warrant was granted." 

The above quotation is taken from the printed reports of the Grand 
lodge for the year 1798, yet it appears that the warrant was not in fact 
issued until January 7, 1799, and then to John Patterson, Peter B. Gurn- 
sey, Orringh Stoddard and others, who were duly authorized to con- 
stitute, form and open a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the 
town of Union, county of Tioga, and to be known as Tioga lodge, No. 
77. The warrant named John Patterson as W.M. ; Peter B. Gurnsey, 
S. W. ; Orringh Stoddard, J.W. , and William Woodruff, secretary. 

There is nothing to indicate that a meeting of the brethren was ever 
held in pursuance of the warrant granted to General Whitney and others, 
neither can it be assumed that no meeting was held; but if held previous 
to January, 1799, the natural place of meeting would have been at Che- 
nango Village, just above Mt. Prospect, on the west side of the Che- 
nango river, where Joshua Whitney then lived. The settlement was 
within the town of Union and in Tioga county. The town then in- 
cluded all the territory between the Chenango river on the east and 
Owego creek on the west. At that time no permanent settlement had 
been made on the city site east of the Chenango. 

Tioga lodge, No. 77, F. & A. M., was organized under the warrant 
granted in January, 1779, to brothers Patterson, Gurnsey, Stoddard 

32 



498 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

and others, and was an institution of the town of Union until 1805, 
when it was removed to the village of Binghamton, or, as then known, 
to Chenango Point. The change in location was made in pursuance of 
authority from the Grand lodge granted in June, 1805. At the time 
the brethren were few in number and membership was increasing 
slowly; but after the removal was accomplished, and particularly dur- 
ing the years 1812-15, considerable acquisitions were made and a some- 
what pretentious lodge room was secured. Through the generosity of 
Daniel Le Roy a two story school house was built on the west side of 
the Chenango, about on the site where now stands Lewis S. Abbott's 
residence. The upper floor was fitted up for occupancy by the lodge, 
and was so used until the trustees of the school district were compelled 
to occupy the entire building for school purposes. At least two per- 
sons are still living in the city who were pupils in the school when Ma- 
sonic emblems were still visible on the walls and in the stairway, but 
neither of them can definitely state when the lodge abandoned the 
building for more convenient quarters east of the river. 

The Grand lodge at its session in 1818 changed the name of Tioga 
lodge. No. 77 to Binghamton lodge. No. 79, and the latter designation 
was continued until June, 1832, when the warrant was declared for- 
feited. Binghamton lodge was last represented in the Grand lodge, 
June 5, 1822, yet the local officers retained their respective positions in 
the subordinate body until 1827, when meetings and work were entire- 
ly suspended on account of the intense anti-Masonic feeling which pre- 
vailed throughout the state, and which was particularly bitter in this 
locality. The lodge room during the latter part of this period was in 
the old Broome County hotel, which stood on the site of the more re- 
cently known Exchange hotel. The building had been previously 
erected by Lewis Squires and his son-in-law. Colonel Abbott, but the 
former appeared to be in absolute control of the property. He was a 
bitter and most unreasonable opponent of Masonr}^, and his feelings 
were doubtless still further aggravated by the fact that the lodge was 
somewhat in arrears for rent. When it became apparent that suspension 
was unavoidable the members carefully packed the jewels, charter and 
other valuables of the lodge in a large chest, and in the night-time 
quietly bore away their treasures to a place of safe keeping in a barn 
loft on Front street. But Mr. Squires seized all other lodge room fix- 
tures and furniture for balance of rent due, " and in order to avoid con- 
tamination with anything that was Masonic, and to show his zeal and 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 499 

willingness to sacrifice for anti-Masonry, he advertised that on a stated 
day these articles of furniture would be publicly burned; which was 
done in the presence of a large number of people assembled at an anti- 
Masonic meeting on the corner of Court and Washington streets in the 
autumn of 1828." The barn on Front street in which the chest was 
concealed was itself soon afterward burned, but whether its destruction 
was in any way connected with the fact that it was the depository of 
the chest is not certain. The old Broome County house fell a victim to 
fire in 1838, but Free Masonry in Binghamton, while in a state of sus- 
pension for almost twenty years, was at length revived, grew and flour- 
ished, and is now one of the strongest and best institutions of the city. 

The early records of Tioga lodge, No. 77, and of its successor, Bing- 
hamton lodge, No. 79, at best were imperfectly kept, and their where- 
abouts is not known. It is believed, however, that they were destroyed 
about the time the lodge suspended, yet through the patient research 
of the late Horace E. Allen much that is interesting concerning the 
officiary of the old Masonic bodies of the city is preserved. The officers 
mentioned in an earlier paragraph were continued without material 
change until about 1812. In 1814 Dr. Tracy Robinson was elected 
worshipful master; John Harris, S. W. ; David D. Whitmore, J. W.; 
David Brownson, treasurer, and John McKinney, secretary. In De- 
cember, 1815, David D. Whitmore was elected worshipful master; My- 
ron Merrill, S. W. ; Jared Goold, J. W., and Elias McNiel, secretary, 
all of whom were continued in office until 1818. In December of that 
year Dr. Robinson was again elected master, and served until 1821, 
when he was followed by Myron Merrill, with Cyrus Goold, S. W., 
Joseph Chambers, J. W., John McKinney, treasurer, and Jesse Rich- 
ards, secretary. In 1822 Cyrus Goold was elected master, and Myron 
Merrill, S. W., the other officers remaining as in the previous year. 
So far as can now be ascertained, the officers of 1822 were continued 
until 1827, when meetings were finally suspended. As has been stated, 
the lodge forfeited its charter in 1832, and from that time to 1850 Free 
Masonry in Binghamton was practically extinct. 

Binghamton Lodge, No. 177, F. & A. M., was organized August 1, 
1850. The charter members were Dr. Tracy Robinson, Myron Merrill, 
George Park, Dr. Pelatiah B. Brooks, William Stuart, Thomas Allen, 
Isaac Stow, William Ogden, Zenas Leonard, Chauncey Morgan, Samuel 
R. Dunham and James H. Whitmore. These original members were 
among the foremost men of the village at that time, and in later years, 



500 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

as the lodge grew in strength and influence, other men of the same up- 
right character were found in its membership. Indeed, Binghamton 
lodge has ever been noted in this respect and thus has attained a high 
standing among the Masonic bodies of the state, and is a worthy suc- 
cessor to the pioneer lodge of the locality. The present members num- 
ber about 400. Past Master Walter M. Hand, 33*^, has been twice ap- 
pointed district deputy grand master for the 28th Masonic district of 
the state, and served in that capacity in 1898 and 1899. Past Master 
Solon Stocking was the only other incumbent of that office from Bing- 
hamton lodge. 

The lodge was first quartered in rooms on the south side of Court 
street, just west of Washington street. A short time afterward it was 
removed to the Tompkins building at the northwest corner of Court and 
Water streets. After this building was destroyed by fire, rooms were 
secured on the east side of Washington street, north of Court street, 
and were occupied until 1868, when the lodge removed to the new Ben- 
nett building on the west side of Washington street. In September, 
1898, the new Masonic temple on Chenango street was dedicated and 
occupied. 

The succession of masters of Binghamton lodge is as follows: Dr. 
Tracy Robinson,' 1850-51; E. Livingston Wentz, 1852; Tracy Robin- 
son, 1853; George Park, 1854-55; Solon Stocking, 1856-57; Austin W. 
Tyler, 1858-59; Hiram C. Rodgers, 1860; James S. Cary, 1861; Orson 
V. Thayer, 1862; Junius F. Tozer, 1863-64; Elijah F. Bloomer, 1865- 
66; Benajah S. Curran, 1867; Edward K. Read, 1868; Orlando W. 
Earle, 1869-70; David Post Jackson, 1871; Ezra Murphy, 1872-73; 
George Whitney, 1874; Ezra Murphy, 1875; Orlando W. Earle, 1876^ 
78; Ezra Murphy, 1879; James E. Northrup, 1880-81; Alfred J. Inloes, 
1882-83; John D. Davidson, 1884; Abner P. Kelsey, 1885; Rufus Gale, 
1886; George A. Bishop, 1887-89; Luman E. Blatchley, 1890-91; Will 
iam B. Ford, 1892-93; F. Garner Holmes, 1894; Fred H. Apsey, 
1895; Walter M. Hand, 1896; William O. Buckland, 1897; Herbert E. 
Coon, 1898. 

Otseningo Lodge, No. 435, F. & A. M., was an offshoot from Bing- 
hamton lodge and was organized under a charter dated September 24, 
1857. The charter members were Lewis S. Abbott, Dr. Pelatiah B. 
Brooks, Dr. John Chubbuck, Daniel S. Dickinson, Dr. Whiting S. Gris- 
wold. Ransom Hooper, John Hungerford, William R. Osborne, Albert 

» The date shows the year of election. Elections are held in December, 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 501 

Phyfe, Edward Tompkins, J. Stuart Wells, Simon C. Hitchcock, Daniel 
D. Denton, Franklin A. Durkee, Rev. Edward Andrews, Erasmus 
Chollar, Nelson J. Hopkins, Robert H. McKune, George Park, Jacob 
C. Robie, Cornelius H. Webster and Chauncey Williams. 

Cornelius H. Webster who was chiefly instrumental in effecting the 
organization of the new lodge, was its first master, and served as such 
four terms. He was a Mason in Canada before coming to Binghamton, 
and in different lodges held the ofifice of master twenty terms. Like 
the older body from which it was formed, Otseningo lodge has been a 
thoroughly representative organization throughout the period of its 
history. In numerical strength it has outstripped the mother lodge and 
now numbers more than 500 members, hence is among the largest 
lodges in the state. The district deputy grand masters appointed from 
Otseningo lodge have been Cornelius H. Webster, Frederic A. Benson, 
(1882-84); Horace E. Allen, (1888-89), and Henry L. Fowler, (1897). 

The succession of masters of the lodge is as follows: Cornelius H. 
Webster, September 17, 18o7-December, 1859; Henry Clay Preston, 
1859-61; Charles M. Brown, 1862; C. H. Webster, 1863; Arthur Vos- 
bury, 1864; C. H. Webster, 1865; Laurel L. Olmsted, 1866; John An- 
derson, 1867; Chauncey Marvin, 1868; Silas E Washburne,1869; Arthur 
L. Tremaine, 1870; Manton E. Anderson, 1871; Zan L. Tidball, 
1872-73; James F. Carl, 1874-75; E. D. W. Randall, 1876; Horace E. 
Allen, 1877-78; Frederic A. Benson, 1879-80; Frederick P. Ronk, 
1881-82; Taylor L. Arms, 1883; Wayne W. Babcock, 1884-85; Allen C. 
Stewart, 1886-87; Henry L. Fowler, 1888-89; Henry F. Turner, 1890- 
91; Henry L. Fowler, 1892; Joha W. Cutler, 1893; Hugh Allan Camer- 
on, 1894; Robert S. Parsons, 1895; Erastus C. Delavan, 1896; Fred. L. 
White, 1897; Royal A. Gunnison, 1898. 

Bingliamton CJiapter^ No. 139, Royal Arch Masons, was organized 
May 23, 1851, although the charter bears date February 13, 1852. The 
first officers and charter members were Dr. Tracy Robinson, high 
priest; William Stuart, king; William Brown, scribe; Robert M. Bailey, 
secretary; E. Livingston Wentz, captain of the host; Thomas Allen, 
principal sojourner; Harry Pierce, master of 2d vail; Dr. John Chub- 
buck, master of 1st vail. 

The history of the chapter is a record of continuous progress from its 
organization to the present time, and from its membership there has 
been chosen some of the best material of the Grand chapter of the state. 
In the years 1863-64 Joseph B. Chaffee served in the Grand chapter as 



502 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

grand captain of the host ; in 1865-68 as grand scribe; in 1869-72 as 
grand king; in 1873-74 as deputy grand high priest, and in 1875-76 as 
grand high priest. Rev. Charles B. Piatt, who is recalled as former 
rector of Christ church, was grand chaplain from 1865 to 1869, and died 
in office February 25, of the last mentioned year. Clinton F. Paige 
served as grand captain of the host in 1875-76. 

The succession of high priests of Binghamton chapter is as follows: 
Tracy Robinson, 1851-54'; George Park, 1855-56; William W. Albro, 
1857-58; Austin W. Tyler, 1859; Clinton F. Paige, 1860-70; Orlando 
W. Earle, 1871-72; Manton E. Anderson, 1873-74; Ezra Murphy, 1875- 
77; Silas E. Washburne, 1878-79; Frederic A. Benson, 1880; Abner P. 
Kelsey, 1881; Rufus Gale, 1882; James E. Northrup, 1883; John D. 
Davidson, 1884; Wayne W. Babcock, 1885; Fred P. Ronk, 1886-87; 
Henry F. Turner, 1888; Luman L. Blatchley, 1889; Austin S. Bump, 
1890; Allen C. Stuart, 1891; William J. Webster, 1892; F. Garner 
Holmes, 1893; Emera A. Cobb, 1894; Hugh Allan Cameron, 1895; 
William H. Stone, 1896; Walter W. Hand, 1897; Charles Herzberg, 
1898. 

Binghamton Council^ No. 24, Royal and Select Masters, was organ- 
ized under a charter dated February 7, 1865, with the following charter 
members: Charles M. Brown, Chauncey Marvin, George W. Seymour, 
Clinton F. Paige, Harry C. Preston, J. M. Reed, Joseph B. Chaffee, 
and William M. Crosby. At that time Rev. Charles H. Piatt was grand 
master, he being the only representative of Binghamton council in the 
Grand council in the state. The first officers were Charles M. Brown, 
thrice illustrious master; George W. Seymour, deputy master; Chauncey 
Marvin, prin. cond. ; Clinton F. Paige, recorder; Rev. Solon Stocking, 
treasurer; Harry C. Preston, capt. gen.; Henry S. Sloan, cond.; Cor- 
nelius H.Webster, marshal; Wm. M. Crosby, steward, and N. B. Ellis, 
sentinel. 

The history of the council has been accompanied with many vicissi- 
tudes. The first four years showed a record of continuous progress, but 
from 1869 to 1872, and again from 1875 to 1892, little work was done, 
Then followed about two years of renewed activity, but since 1894 the 
council has been a practically dormant body. The present membership 
is about twenty-five. 

The succession of thrice illustrious masters, so far as the incomplete 
records disclose, has been as follows: 

■High priests were elected in December of the year indicated, and served until December of 
the next year. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. . 503 

Charles M. Brown, 1865; George W. Seymour, 1866; Joseph B. Chaf- 
fee, 1867; Orlando W. Earle, 1867-71; Clinton F. Paige, 1872; Orlando 
W. Earle, 1873-75; Abner P. Kelsey, 1892-93; Dr. Frederick W. Put- 
nam, 1894-99. 

Malta Commandery, No. 21, Knights Templar, the largest Templar 
body in the state, was organized in Binghamton, January 27, 1853. The 
charter members were Marshall S. Curtis, Daniel D. Denton, Thomas 
De Witt, Joseph S. De Witt, George H. Gregory, Morgan S. Lewis, 
William A. Morris, William R. Osborne, George Park, Edward Tomp- 
kins, E. Livingston Wentz and Augustus Willard. The first officers 
were Edward Tompkins, E. C. ; Augustus Willard, generalissimo; 
William Stuart, capt. gen. ; George Park, prelate; William R. Osborne, 
treas. ; William A. Morris, recorder. 

Malta commandery is known not only as the largest Templar body in 
this state, but also as one which wields a powerful influence in Masonic 
circles in general. Its original members were men of exceptional worth 
in professional and business life, whose influence was salutary and per- 
vading and had an enduring effect for good upon all who were knighted 
therein in later years. The present membership is 546. 

The first representative of the local body in the Grand commandery 
of the state was Cornelius H. Webster, who was elected grand warder 
in 1859, and grand junior warden in 1860. 

Henry Clay Preston, for many years one of Binghamton's most pop- 
ular citizens and business men, was elected grand sword bearer in 1861- 
62; grand senior warden in 1863; grand captain general in 1864; grand 
generalissimo in 1865-66; deputy grand commander in 1867-68, and 
grand commander in 1869. 

Foster N. Mabee of Owego, knighted January 17, 1868, was elected 
grand warder in 1882; grand sword bearer in 1883; grand st. bearer in 
1884; grand junior warden in 1885; grand senior warden in 1886; grand 
generalissimo in 1887; deputy grand commander in 1888, and grand 
commander in 1889. 

Erastus C. Delavan, knighted July 22, 1887, was elected grand war- 
der in 1894 ; grand sword bearer in 1895 ; grant st. bearer in 1896 ; grand 
junior warden in 1897, and grand senior warden in 1898. 

The Grand commandery met in Binghamton in September, 1861, and 
again in October, 1883. 

The succession of past commanders of Malta commandery, No. 21, is 
as follows: 



504 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Edward Tompkins, 1853-58;' Cornelius H. Webster, 1859; George 
Park, 1860-61; Henry Clay Preston, 1862; T. Dwight Walker, 1863; 
Clinton F. Paige, 1864-70; Joseph B. Chaffee, 1871; Orlando W. Earle, 
1872-74; Clinton F. Paige, 1875; Orlando W. Earle, 1876-77; Foster 
N. Mabee, 1878-80; Horace E. Allen, 1881-83; Ezra Murphy, 1884; 
Frederick A. Benson, 1885; John Anderson, 1886; Silas N. Carman, 
1887-88; Horace E. Allen, 1889; Erastus C. Delavan, 1890-91; Fred 
P. Ronk, 1892; Austin S. Bump, 1893; Emera A. Cobb, 1894; George 
H. Smith, 1895; Theodore P. Calkin, 1896; Alburn W. Parmelee, 1897; 
Hugh A. Cameron, 1898; John W. Cutler, 1899. 

The four Scottish rite bodies of Binghamton — Otseningo lodge of per- 
fection, Otseningo council, Otseningo chapter and Otseningo consistory 
— were organized May 16, 1867, with substantially the same member- 
ship throughout. In local Masonic circles these bodies hold an impor- 
tant place, yet have not been especially productive of history. Gener- 
ally, they are the wealthiest Masonic bodies in the country. 

In Otseningo lodge of perfection the succession of T. P. grand mas- 
ters is as follows: Henry Clay Preston, 1868-78; Joseph B. Chaffee, 
1879-82; Clinton F. Paige, 1883-85; John Anderson, 1886-94; Fred W. 
Grummond (elected), 1895-96; John W. Cutler, 1897-99. 

In Otseningo council the succession of M. E. S. P. grand masters is 
as follows: Valorous Prince, Joseph B. Chaffee, 1868-82; Clinton F. 
Paige, 1883-94; Erastus C. Delavan (elected), 1895-96; Theodore P. 
Calkin, 1897-99. 

In Otseningo chapter the succession of most wise and perfect mas- 
ters is as follows: Prince knight. Rev. Charles H. Piatt, 1808-69; 
Clinton F. Paige, 1870-94; John Anderson (elected), 1895; Rev.W. H. 
Kephart, 1896; Dr. Frederick W. Putnam, 1897-99. 

In Otseningo consistory the office of commander-in-chief has been 
filled by Illustrious Clinton F. Paige from the organization of the body 
to the present time, or from 1867 to 1899, a record of incumbency al- 
most unparalleled in the history of Masonry in this state. 

KaluraJi Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, 
was constituted in Binghamton June 14, 1899, with about 150 members. 
None except Masonic Knights Templar, or those who have attained the 
thirty-second degree, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Ma- 
sonry, are eligible to membership. The order, however, is indepen- 
dent of Free Masonry, both in origin and government, and is associated 

* The annual election is held in April or May, and officers serve for the year following. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 505 

with the craft only because it was established by Free Masons and be- 
cause none but Free Masons of high degree may become acquainted 
with its mysteries. 

The official divan of Kalurah temple is as follows: Illustrious poten- 
tate, James H. Roberts; chief rabban, James T. Rogers; assistant rab- 
ban, Percy L. Lang; high priest and prophet, Rollin W. Meeker; orien- 
tal guide, John W. Cutler; treasurer, Charles McKinney; recorder, 
David M.Johnson; trustee, Fred B. Wheeler. 

Otseningo Chapter, No. //, Order of the Eastern Star, is an auxiliary 
branch of Free Masonry, accessible only to Master Masons, their wives, 
widows, sisters and daughters. Its teachings are founded on the Holy 
Bible. 

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS. 

Calumet Lodge, No. 62. — Oddfellowship in Binghamton dates its his- 
tory from the year 1846, when seven brothers of the order petitioned 
for and were granted a charter under the name above mentioned. 
These worthy members, all of whom were active factors in the early 
history of the village, and of whom only one is now living, were Dr. M. 
P. Smith, James S. Hawley, William M. Ely, A. B. Rogers, Thomas 
Johnson, Levi M. Rexford and Tracy R. Morgan. Each was invested 
with an office of some kind in the lodge, the growth of which at first 
was slow, owing to a prejudice which existed about that time against all 
secret organizations; but after the opposition of the period was swept 
away the membership increased and has continued to increase to the 
present day. Calumet lodge now is recognized as one of the strongest 
bodies of the order in the interior of the state, its membership number- 
ing more than 300. 

When instituted the lodge held its first meeting in rooms over Col. 
Lewis' store on Court street (now No. 42), and continued in that loca- 
tion several years. The second lodge rooms were in a building on the 
west side of Washington street, where now stands the Bennett building, 
but which were burned in 1863, and with it also were destroyed some 
of the most valuable lodge records. After the fire the lodge met in 
rooms at No. 163 Washington street, and thence removed to Phelps 
bank building. Still later comfortable quarters were secured in the 
Johnson block. No. 33 Court street, and thence the lodge removed in 
1897 to the Odd Fellows' temple on Chenango street. 

The Temple building was dedicated with appropriate ceremony May 



506 BINGHAMTON ITS SETTLEMENT, 

26, 1897. It is a brick structure, three stories high, of attractive archi- 
tectural appearance, and substantially built. The ground floor is fitted 
for business occupany, while the upper floors are arranged for lodge pur- 
poses and a large assembly hall. The land cost $8,000 and the building 
$37,000. It was erected by A. H. Doolittle, under the supervision of 
a building committee comprising Daniel H. Mack, Allen Perkins, Wm. 
P. Morgan, John E. Wentz and Thomas Parker. 

The history of Calumet lodge has been a continued record of success 
for more than half a century. It has grown from a beginning as hum- 
ble as that of any of our old institutions, and its onward career never 
has been checked by any untoward event or serious disaster. The first 
officers were Dr. M. P. Smith, N. G. ; James S. Hawley, V. G. ; Wm. 
M. Ely, secretary; A. B. Rogers, treasurer; Tracy R. Morgan, warden; 
Thomas Johnson, guard; Levi M. Rexford, conductor. 

An interesting element of the history of Calumet lodge is the succes- 
sion of noble grands, which has been secured for this work through the 
patient search of the secretary, John J. Doolittle. The list shows the 
names of all the incumbents of the office since the creation of the lodge, 
and recalls some of Binghamton's prominent early citizens. The suc- 
cession is as follows: 

Dr. M. P. Smith, March-July, 1846; James S. Hawley, July-October, 
1846; Tracy R. Morgan, October, 1846-January, 1847; William M.Ely, 
January-July, 1847; Levi M. Rexford, July, 1847-January, 1848; Eras- 
mus D. Robinson, January-July, 1848; John E. Titus, July, 1848-Janu- 
ary, 1849; Joseph E. Ely, January-July, 1849; Samuel W. Rogers, 
July, 1849-January, 1850; Orson Cone, January-July, 1850; Henry M. 
Collier, July, 18oO-January, 1851; Julius P. Morgan, January-July, 
1851; Benj. T. Cooke, July, 1851-January, 1852; William E. Abbott, 
January-July, 1852; Nathan B. Ellis, July, 1852-January, 1853; Robert 
Reed, January-July, 1853; Jeremy T. Brodt, July, 1853-January,1854; 
Lewis S. Abbott, January-July, 1854; J.Stuart Wells, July, 1854-Janu- 
ary, 1855; Phillip Tripp, January-July, 1855; Frederick A. Morgan, 
July, 1855-January, 1856; Thomas J. Clark, January-July, 1856; Wm. 
Hanlon, July-October, 1856; De Witt C. Vosbury, October, 1856-April, 
1857; Solomon F. Cary, April-October, 1857; Allen Perkins, October, 
1857-April, 1858; Evander Spaulding, April-October, 1858; Martin W. 
Shapley, October, 1858-April, 1859; Arthur Vosbury, April-October, 
1859; A. G. Avery, October, 1859-April, 1860; E. G. Grafts, April-Oc- 
tober, 1860; I. S. Matthews, October, 1860-April, 1861; Solomon Judd, 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 507 

April-October, 1861; Solomon Judd, October, 1861-April, 1862; W. C. 
Wattles, April-October, 1862; M. W. Shapley, October, 1862-April, 
1863; W. S. Lawyer, April-October, 1863; W. E. Abbott, October, 
1863-April, 1864; E. D. Robinson, April-October, 1864; Samuel W. 
Rogers, October, 1864-October, 1865; J.P.Morgan, October, 1865-April, 
1866; T. J. Clark, April-October, 1866; J. P. Morgan, October, 1866- 
April, 1867; J. F. Rice, April-October, 1867; Charles M. Brown, Oc- 
tober, 1867-April, 1868; Tracy R. Morgan, April-October, 1868; Elmer 
W. Brigham, October, 1868-April, 1869; W. P. Canoll, April-October, 
1869; Job N. Congdon, October, 1869-April, 1870; J. F. Rice, April- 
October, 1870; C. W. Buell, October, 1870-April, 1871; Albert Hatten, 
April-October, 1871; John E. Wentz, October, 1871-1872; John P. 
Worthing, October, 1872-April, 1873; C. H. Robinson, April, 1873- 
January, 1874; H. B. Boss, January-July, 1874; R. W. Lester, July, 
1874-January, 1875; L. M. Bowers, January-July, 1875; T. G. Port, July, 
1875-January, 1876; U. R. Gilbert, January-July, 1876; William H. 
Mosher, July, 1876-January, 1877; R. W. Mosher, January-July, 1877; 
H. W. Bradley, July, 1877-January, 1878; D. S. Burr, January-July, 
1878; W. P. Morgan, July, 1878-January, 1879; E. Osborn, January- 
July, 1879; T. E. Royal, July, 1879-January, 1880; A. D. Green, 
January-July, 1880; W. H. Tisdell, July, 1880-January, 1881; H. 
Conklin, January-July, 1881; E. W. Doolittle, July, 1881-January, 
1882; C. F. Wells, January-July, 1882; John J. Doolittle, July, 1882- 
January, 1883; F. A. Benson, January-July, 1883; J. W. Burnham, 
July, 1883-January, 1884; O. P. Bradley, January-July, 1884; R. W. 
H. Roselle, July, 1884-January, 1885; John A. Rider, January-July, 
1885; J. A. Lewis, July, 1885-January, 1886; L. M. Bowers, January- 
July, 1886; F. H. Matthews, July, 1886-January, 1887; M. P. Gaige, 
January-July, 1887; A. H. Gaige, July, 1887-January, 1888; N. C. Pal- 
mer, January-July, 1888; E. E. Singer, July, 1888-January, 1889; 
James Haran, January-July, 1889; H. Persels, July, 1889-1890; D. 
W. Hall, January-July, 1890; E. F. Hopton, July, 1890-January, 1891; 
A. H. Bixby, January-July, 1891; Joseph P. Klee, July, 1891-January, 
1892; H. Y. Bresee, January-July, 1892; C. M. Packard, July, 1892- 
January, 1893; L. A. Clark, January-July, 1893; James Lauder, July, 
1893-January, 1894; D. W. Hall, January-July, 1894; C. W. Frost, July, 
1894-January, L895; W. G. Benedict, January-July, 1895; E. S. Roselle, 
July, 1895-January, 1896; W. C. Rhodes, January-July, 1896; F. J. 
Jacobs, July, 1896-January, 1897; H. Matthewson, January-July, 1897; 



508 BINGHAMTON, ITvS SETTLEMENT. 

F. Reycroft, July, 1897-January, 1898; Theo. Case, January-July, 
1898; A. O. Meade, July, 1898-January, 1899; Harry B. Hinds, Janu- 
ary-July, 1899; A. E. Potter, July, 1899-January, 1900. 

Parlor City Lodge, No. 702, I. O.O.F., was organized April 26, 1894, 
with 136 charter members. It is the junior organization of its kind in 
the city, but in point of membership it outstrips the parent lodge, the 
present membership numbering 409. In 1895 the trustees of the lodge 
purchased a desirable lot on Chenango street, paying therefor $4,500. 
On this lot in 1899 the lodge erected a large and well appointed temple, 
which is designed exclusively for purposes of the society. The building 
cost $10,000. 

As is indicated in the preceding paragraph Parlor City lodge has en- 
joyed a rapid and healthful growth from the date of its organization. 
Its affairs are in excellent condition and have always been well gov- 
erned. 

The past grands have been as follows: J. M. Mosher, Dr. T. B. 
Van Alstyne, D. E. Barnum, J. C. Barnes, H. S. Acker, W. C. Bryant, 
Dr. I. A. Hix, S. B. Corwin, Edward Dunlap, F. D. Gridley, J. G. 
Jackson, William Merrilles, L. M. Peters, A. J. Plant, George C. Ray- 
mond, James Watson, F. C. Smith, E. F. Coleman, H. S. Maricle, D. G. 
Rounds. 

Binghamton Encampment of Patriarchs, No. 50, I. O. O. F., under the 
jurisdiction of the Grand encampment of the northern district of New 
York was instituted at Binghamton, February 21, 1850. The ceremonies 
were conducted by Fort Hill encampment No. 18, of Elmira. The ap- 
plicants for the charter were Tracy R. Morgan, N. Crary Congdon, 
Julius P. Morgan, Erasmus D. Robinson, Samuel W. Rogers, Benjamin 
T. Cooke, Nathan B. Ellis and James Felter, of whom only two — Tracy 
R. and Julius P. Morgan — are now living. 

The first officers of the encampment were Tracy R. ^Morgan, chief 
patriarch; Benjamin T. Cooke, high priest; Erasmus D. Robinson, 
senior warden; Samuel W. Rogers, junior warden; Julius P. Morgan, 
scribe; Nathan B. Ellis, treasurer. 

Thus organized the camp entered upon its career of usefulness and 
prosperity and growth. Save only two, the charter members are gone 
to their final rest, but their vacant places have been filled by others, 
and the continued existence of the body has been undisturbed by the 
causes which have occasionally led to the dissolution of secret organ- 
izations. Originally Binghamton encampment received the numerical 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 509 

designation of No. 50, but at a later period in the history of Odd Fellow- 
ship in the state the Grand encampments of the northern and southern 
districts of New York were united, upon which the local body was given 
the number 25. Such, briefly, is its history, and an honorable, worthy 
record has it been in the promotion of the principles of " faith, hope 
and charity," the sublime motto of the patriarchs. 

The present membership of the encampment is 98 patriarchs, and 
from among the number there has been chosen some of the best ma- 
terial of the Grand encampment of the state. Through the persevering 
efforts of Bro. Julius P. Morgan the writer is enabled to furnish an ac- 
curate succession of chief patriarchs of Binghamton encampment from 
1850 to 1900. The succession is as follows: 

Tracy R. Morgan, February 21-June 30, 1850; Benjamin T. Cooke, 
July 1-December 31, 1850; Erasmus D. Robinson, January 1-June 30, 
1851; Samuel W. Rogers, July 1-December 31, 1851; Nathan B. Ellis, 
January 1-June 30, 1852; John S. Wells, July 1-Uecember 31, 1852; 
Henry M. Collier, January 1-June 30, 1853; Julius P. Morgan, July 1- 
December 31, 1853; William M. Ely, January 1-June 30, 1854; Orson 
Cone, July 1-December 31, 1854; Joseph E. Ely, January 1-June 30, 
1855; Philip Tripp, July 1-December 31, 1855; Evander Spaulding, 
January 1-June 30, 1856; William Harder, July 1-December 31, 1856; 
De Witt C. Vosbury, January 1-June 30, 1857; Lewis S. Abbott, July 1- 
December 31, 1857; Job N. Congdon, January 1-June 30, 1858; Chaun- 
cey Marvin, July 1-December 31, 1858; Isaiah S. Matthews, January 
1-June 30, 1859; Allen Perkins, July 1-December 31, 1859; Thomas J. 
Clark, January 1-June 30, 1860; A. G. Avery, July 1-December 31, 
1860; Selah P. Rood, January 1-June 30, 1861 ; Albert Hatten, July 1- 
December 31, 1861; Frederick A. Morgan, January 1-June 30, 1862; 
Thomas J. Clark, July 1, 1862-December 31, 1863; William Hanlon, 
January 1-December 31, 1864; Julius P. Morgan, January 1-December 
31, 1865; Samuel W. Rogers, January 1, 1866-December 31, 1869; 
Erasmus D. Robinson, January 1, 1870-December 31, 1871; Lewis S. 
Abbott, January 1-December 31, 1872; William HanloQ, January 1- 
December 31, 1873; Allen Perkins, January 1, 1874-December31, 1876; 
L. A. Galpin, January 1-June 30, 1877; George N. Cobb, July 1-De- 
cember 31, 1877; C. A. Spencer, January 1-June 30, 1878; W. R. Gil- 
bert, July 1-December 31, 1878; William H. Mosher, January 1-June 
30, 1879; A. D. Green, July 1-December 31, 1879; Fred. Robinson, 
January 1-June 30, 1880; S. H. R. Grow, July 1-December 31, 1880; 



510 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

W. H. Tisdell, January 1-June 30, 1881 ; Robert Gordon, July 1-De- 
cember 31, 1881; George H. Smith, January 1-June 30, 1882; T. P. 
Calkin, July 1-December 31, 1882; Emerson Osborn, January 1-June 

30, 1883; James Haran, July 1-December 31, 1883; E. W. Doolittle, 
January 1-June 30, 1884; John J. Doolittle, July 1-December 31, 1884; 
William H. Watson, January 1-June 30, 1885; John A. Rider, July 1- 
December 31, 1885; A. E. Felter, January 1-June 30, 1886; J. W. Tis- 
dell, July 1-December 31, 1886; J. J. Eastman, January 1-June 30, 
1887; J. M. Mosher, July 1-December 31, 1887; J. M. Mosher, January 
1-June 30. 1888; John C. Arnold, July 1-December 31, 1888; J. W. 
Tisdell, January 1-June 30, 1889; A. E. Sternberg, July 1-December 

31, 1889; D. S. Hall, January 1-June 30, 1890; J. W. Caswell, July 1- 
December 31, 1890; J. W. Burnham, January 1-June 30, 1891; E. F. 
Hopton, July 1-December 31, 1891; F. W. Dean, January 1-June 30, 
1892; Council Harley, July 1-December 31, 1892; W. S. C. Smith, Jan- 
uary 1-June 30, 1893; W. H. Ballenstedt, July 1-December 31, 1893; 
James Lauder, January 1-June 30, 1894; John J. Doolittle, July 1-De- 
cember 31, 1894; Fred Reycroft, January 1-June 30, 1895; Charles A. 
Bayer, July 1-December 31, 1895; Joseph P. Klee, January 1-June 30, 
1896; Frank Tngraham, July 1-December 31, 1896; Harry Ellis, Janu- 
ary 1-June 30, 1897; F. A. Benson, July 1-December 31, 1897; W. C. 
Rhodes, January 1-June 30, 1898; G. C. Van Patten, July 1-December 
31, 1898; L. A. Clark, January 1-June 30, 1899; Arthur H. Gaige, 
July 1-December 31, 1899. 

Canton Binghaniton, No. 21, Patriarchs Militant. — This military 
branch of Odd Fellowship was first suggested in 1870, assumed form in 
1882, and was reorganized in 1887 to confer degrees of chivalry. The 
desire for a patriachal uniform originated less than thirty years ago 
and in a great measure was influenced by Masonic Knight Templar 
displays. In 1882 the Sovereign Grand lodge adopted a degree of 
Patriarchs Militant and recruited its ranks from the patriarchs. 

Binghamton Uniformed Degree, camp No, 18, as the original body 
in this city was known, was instituted February 25, 1884, with twenty- 
two chevaliers comprising its charter membership. On July 23, 1886, 
a reorganization was effected under the name of Canton Binghamton 
No. 21, Patriarchs Militant, with thirty-eight chevaliers in the ranks. 
From that time the organization has progressed uninteruptedly, and 
now numbers ninety chevaliers. All officers have distinctively military 
titles, the chief officer being known as captain and commandant. In 
Canton Binghamton the succession of captains is as follows : 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 511 

William H. Mosher, 1884; Abram L. Bevier and Frederick A. Ben- 
son, 1885; C. H. Conklin and M. F. Tapper, 1886; James Haran, 1887 
J. C. Arnold, 1888; W. H. Ballenstedt, 1889; J. D. Blakeslee' 1890 
J. K. Marsh, 1891; C. M. Parker, 1892; Emerson Osborn, 1893, 
Thomas H. Parker, 1894; J. M. Holt, 1895; George C. Van Patten, 
1896; E. Bailey, 1897; James Lauder, 1898; F. C. Frost, 1899. 

Incidental to Odd Fellowship in the city mention also may be made 
of the auxiliary bodies known respectively as Sunlight lodge No, 25, 
and Beulah lodge No. 115, Daughters of Rebekah. 

IMPROVED ORDER OF RED MEN. 

The I. O. R. M., the oldest charitable and benevolent secret society 
of purely American origin, claims virtual descent from the Sons of 
Liberty, formed during the American Revolution, although the order 
of Red Men was not formally established until 1834. In its principles, 
teachings and aspirations the order seeks to elevate the character, re 
lieve the misfortunes and add to the happiness of its tribesmen. Can- 
didates for tribal membership must be white citizens of the United 
States, twenty-one years old, sound in health, of good moral character, 
and have full belief in the existence and power of the Great Spirit. 
Political and religious questions are never allowed in the wigwams or 
at the council fires. American Indian traditions and customs prevail 
in the business affairs of the order, and the latter is replete with aborig- 
inal expressions, words and titles. The tribesmen in America number 
more than 150,000, and in this city alone, scattered among eight tribes, 
are about 1, 700 Red Men. These tribes are noted in the order of forma- 
tion, with the number of charter members, and the total membership 
in July, 1899: 

Wamsutta tribe, No. 37, instituted April 27, 1881; 47 charter, and 
278 present members. 

Anawan tribe. No. 41, instituted October 10, 1883; 102 charter and 
403 present members. 

Seminole tribe, No. 57, instituted May 25, 1885; 31 charter and 147 
present members. 

Pawnee tribe. No. 120, instituted October 11, 1887; 76 charter and 215 
present members. 

Chickasaw tribe. No. 144, instituted January 30, 1890; 74 charter and 
106 present members. 

Ute tribe, No. 156, instituted May 30, 1890; 72 charter and 186 pres- 
ent members. 



512 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

Nevada tribe, No. 183, instituted April 26, 1861; 16 charter and 94 
present members. 

Osseo tribe, No. 334, instituted June 29, 1896; — charter and 210 pres- 
ent members. 

Wamsutta tribe has furnished one great sachem — George E. Green 
— and one great incohonee of the Great Council of the United States. 
Bro. Green was honored with elevation to this high office. 

Anawan tribe has furnished one great sachem — Frank E. Church — 
and one great keeper of wampum — John D. Ames. 

Pawnee tribe has furnished one great chief of records — Martin A. 
Dunham (1893-99). 

Anawan Haymakers' association, No. 41^, and Chief tain's league. No. 
1, are important advanced degrees of Redmanship in the city. Owenee 
Council, No. 2, Minnehaha Council, No. 4, Winyouretta Council, No. 13, 
Miami Council, No. 36, Narra Matta Council, No. 91, and Osseuma 
Council, No. 99, Daughters of Pocahontas, are auxiliary I. O. R. M. 
bodies whose members are chiefly women. 

City Military Organizations. — The martial spirit which prevailed 
throughout the county during the period of the war of 1861-65 did not 
wholly subside after the war was closed. Veteran organizations sprung 
up all over the land, and the 44th Battalion of militia was formed in 
this vicinity, including in its membership a large number of city resi- 
dents. It was a splendid body of troops, and while formed for purely 
military purposes it was nevertheless called into actual service at the 
time of the contest for the control of the D. & H. railroad, as the story 
of the occasion is told in another chapter; and except for the presence 
of Col. Brown's regiment of veterans at the tunnel during the railroad 
rioting, bloodshed and disaster undoubtedly would have resulted from 
the hostile meeting of the contending factions. In local civil history 
the 44th made an excellent record, but in 1877 reverses in fortune came 
and the command was disbanded. 

TJie Sixth Battery^ Third Brigade, N. G. S. N.Y., originally known as 
Battery A, Sixth Brigade, was organized March 26, 1870, as a six-gun 
battery (including the Ithaca contingent of two guns) with the follow- 
ing officers: Captain, William M. Crosby; first lieut.. Laurel L. 01m- 
stead; second lieut., A. W. Metcalf. 

Like the 44th Regiment of militia, the 6th Battery was originally 
composed of veterans of the war of the Rebellion, but in the. course of 
a few years the ranks were recruited from the younger element of our 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 513 

city population. Capt. Crosby retained command until 1874 and was 
then succeeded by first lieut. Olmsted, who since that time has been 
at the head of the famous organization and through whose efforts the 
battery has attained a degree of efficiency that places it among the 
best military organizations of the country. 

The present officers are, captain and brevet major, Laurel L.Olmsted; 
first lieut. and brevet captain, John N. Underwood; junior first lieut., 
Fred D. Weed; second lieut, John H. Gross; junior second lieut., 
George M. Wilson; first sergt., Amos J. Bush; quartermaster, L. Mur- 
ray Olmsted; veterinary surgeon, Andrew S. Cook. Membership, 102 
men. 

TJie TwentietJi Separate company. — Upon the disbandment of the 
old 44th Battalion in 1877 a number of active young men in the city 
favored the organization of a separate company of infantry, and to that 
end made special endeavors during the fall and winter, 1877. On April 
18, 1878, the 20th Separate company,, infantry, N. G, S. N. Y.— the 
once known City guard — was mustered into service with the following 
officers: Captain, Eugene G. Judd; first lieut., Arthur Tileston; second 
lieut., Edward A. Roberts; first sergeant, Ben. S. Miller; quarter- 
master, Cleveland Robinson. 

Captain Judd resigned in 1880, and first lieut. Charles M, Durkee 
was elected in his place. In 1884 captain Hiram C. Rogers succeeded 
captain Durkee and served until succeeded by captain Charles H. 
Hitchcock, October 1, 1897, under whom the company served as Co. H, 
1st N. Y. vol. infantry, during the Spanish-American war, being sta- 
tioned at Camp Black and also at Honolulu, Sandwich Islands. The 
company was mustered into service May 20, 1898, and was mustered 
out February 25, 1899. In March, 1899, captain Hitchcock was pro- 
moted major, and first lieut. Harry P. Worthing was thereupon elected 
captain, his commission dating June 23, 1899. 

The present officers of the company are, captain, Harry P. Worthing; 
first lieut. , vacant; second lieut., C. N. Hinman; first lieut. and asst. 
surg., Dr. Charles R. Seymour; first sergt., Wm. H. Seeley; quarter- 
master, A. K. Roberts. 

Watrous Post, No. 30, G.A.R., was organized under a charter from 
the grand commander of the department of New York, dated May 17, 
1867. The charter members of this veteran organization were Nicholas 
D. Maffett, Robert Brown, Cornelius H. Webster, George S. Kilmer, 
Edward F. Jones, Ensign Conklin, Milo B. Eldredge, Jacob C. Robie, 

33 



514 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT. 

Charles H. Amsbry, D. R. Burnham, Thomas Gillick and Henry L. 
Robinson. 

Watrous post is one of the strongest G. A. R. organizations in south- 
ern New York, and in furthering the interests of the old soldier element 
of the city's population it has been a powerful factor for good. Its 
present membership is 283; commander, Joseph C. La Point. 

Bartlett Post, No. 668, G. A. R., was organized February 20, 1893, 
with thirty-one charter members. The present members number 100. 
R. B. Truesdell, commander. 

The Young Men's Christian association, of Binghamton, was organ- 
ized in 1865, incorporated in 1867, reorganized in 1875, and incorpor- 
ated by act of the legislature passed June 7, 1884. 

The original incorporators were Horace N. Lester, Charles A. Whit- 
ney, J. E. Harkness, William B. Cleves and U. R. Gilbert. The man- 
agers of the association for the first year of its existence were Horace 
N. Lester, J. E. Harkness, Homer B. Mix, Elfano M. Noyes, Charles 
A. Whitney, William B. Cleves, Ensign Conklin and Edmund C. 
Titchener. The declared purpose of the association, which has ever 
been fully and faithfully carried out, is the "improvement of the spirit- 
ual, intellectual and social condition of young men." 

The original members of the association numbered thirty four; the 
present number is more than 300, and is constantly increasing. For 
almost twenty years the association occupied rented rooms, but at the 
end of that time had gained sufficient strength to purchase a desirable 
building and equip it for all the requirements of the members. 

On October 1, 1883, the association purchased from the Lester estate 
the present Y. M. C. A. building on Court street. The board of trus- 
tees constituted under the act mentioned, who were authorized to hold 
the real estate of the association, comprised Avery Crounse, Israel T. 
Deyo, Charles W. Loomis, James W. Manier and Charles A. Wilkinson. 
The purchase price of the property was $20,000. The building is well 
arranged for the objects of the association, and is provided with all the 
necessary appointments for carrying out the plans of its founders. The 
corporation is managed by a board of twenty directors, of which the 
officers are ex-officio members. 

The officers of the association for the year 1899 are as follows: presi- 
dent. Dr. Clark W. Greene; first vice-president, Charles Keeler; sec- 
ond vice-president, H. W. Bennett; treasurer, Joseph K. Noyes; audi- 
tor, Henry A. Smith; recording secretary, F. L. Norton; general sec- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 515 

retary, E. B. Searls; physical director, Charles E. Dodg-e. The board 
of directors are Dr. D. D. Whitmarsh, Wm. M. McLean, C. W. Greene, 
C. J. Durfee, D. D. Brown, John R. Clements, F. A. Blakeslee, H. W. 
Bennett, Fred L. Norton, J. K. Noyes, Charles Keeler, Charles W. 
Loorais, Dr. John Leverett, W. J. Welsh, B. A. Bauman, Henry A. 
Smith, Charles H. Niven, F. Kelley, R. C. Tillinghast. The tru-stees 
of property are Charles W. Loomis, president; I. T. Deyo, secretary; 
James W. Manier, treasurer; C. A. Wilkinson and Dexter D Brown. 

The Railroad Young Men's Christian association is an important 
auxiliary to the parent body, and has gained a strong foothold in the 
city in a work which the mother association could accomplish only with 
the greatest difficulty. The railroad branch has a comfortable home 
on Lewis street, and is in all respects a prosperous society. Its officers 
for 1899 are Charles Wadsworth, chairman; J. E. De Kay, vice-chair- 
man; H, J. King, treasurer; W. T. Conklin, recording secretary; G. L. 
Nichols, general secretary; Fred B. Lyon, assistant secretary. 

The Young Women's Christian association, whose meeting rooms are in 
the Strong building, is an equally praiseworthy organization and also one 
of the most beneficial societies of the city. It has a large membership 
of earnest christian workers. The principal officers are Mrs. V. A. 
Weld, president; Mrs. C. A. Wilkinson, first vice-president; Mrs. E. L. 
Rose, second vice-president; Anna J. Stevens, recording secretary; Mrs. 
J. E. Bookstaver, treasurer. 

The Dobson club was organized in 1880 and was incorporated in 1889. 
The original members were fifteen young men who were met together 
in social gathering, but the chief strength of the club came from the old 
Binghamton club which had dissolved about that time. 

In 1889 the Dobson club purchased the old Dr. Andrews homestead 
property at the corner of Washington and Lewis streets, and remodeled 
the substantial old dwelling house for a new. occupancy; and a most 
comfortable club home it has proven. The present members number 
115 residents and forty-five nonresidents. The officers for 1899 are 
Dr. Charles G. Wagner, president; Fred Bennett, vice-president; W. 
H. Hecox, secretary and treasurer. 

The Binghamton club was organized March 10, 1886, and includes in 
its membership many of the substantial business men of the city. The 
rooms of the club are in the Strong building, and are admirably ar- 
ranged and appointed. The members number about 200 business men. 
The officers are S. C. Millard, president; H. A. Clark, vice-president; 
Henry C. Olmsted, secretary; W. G. Trowbridge, treasurer. 



516 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

The Craftsmen's club is one of the junior organizations of its class in 
the city, and is composed entirely of Masons. The club has conven- 
iently appointed rooms in the Masonic Temple building on Chenango 
street. The principal officers are John Anderson, president; Miles 
Leonard, vice-president; E. A. Cobb, secretary; C. D. Matthews, 
treasurer. 

The other social clubs of the city are the Century club, organized 
February 26, 1898; the Country club, whose seat of gathering is in the 
town of Union; and the Susquehanna Valley Social club, the latter an 
institution of the sixth ward. 

In addition to the society organizations which are specially mention- 
ed in this chapter, the city has many others which may be referred to 
by name. Indeed Binghamton long has been the home of numerous 
fraternal, benevolent, social and charitable organizations, but the scope 
of this chapter does not permit a detailed history of each of them. It 
is proper, however, that their names be given that future readers may 
know at least something of the societies in existence at this time. They 
may be mentioned as follows: 

Patriotic Order Sons of America, camp 2 and 12. 

Knights of Pythias, Binghamton lodge, No. 122. 

Knights of Honor, Parlor City lodge, No. 571. 

O. U. A. M., Pioneer commandery. No. 1. 

Junior O. U. A. M., D. S. Dickinson council. No. 19; William E. 
Taylor council, No. 63. 

Daughters of American O. U. A. M., Marion council, No. 3; Stark 
council, No. 5. 

Royal Arcanum, Empire council, No. 32; Broome council. No. 467. 

American Legion of Honor, Binghamton lodge. 

Iron Hall, local branch, No. 50 and No. 87. 

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Colby lodge. No. 311. 

Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, Magnet lodge. No. 227. 

Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, Parlor City lodge, No. 36. 

Temperance societies. Charity council, Royal Templars of Tem- 
perance; St. Patrick's Total Abstinence society; Independent Order of 
Good Templars. 

Labor organizations. Central Labor Union (affiliated with the Ameri- 
can Federation of Labor). Barbers' union. No. 15.5; Bartenders' league. 
No. 173; Blacksmiths' union, No. 110; Bricklayers' union, No. 42; Build- 
ing Trades council; Building Laborers' union; Carpenters' union, No. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 517 

233 ; Cigar Makers' unions, Nos. 16 and 218 ; Flaggers' union ; United Gar- 
ment Workers' union, No. 44; Lathers' Protective union, No. 6999; Iron 
Holders' union. No. 274; Machinists' union; National U. S. Brewery- 
Workers' union, No. 151; Painters' and Decorators' union. No. 103; 
Plasterers' union ; Plumbers' union. No. 112 ; Stone Cutters' union ; Stone 
Masons' union. No. 25; Tailors' union, No, 52; Binghamton local branch, 
National Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, No. 54; Tinsmiths' 
union, No. 22 ; Typographical union. No. 232 ; Association of Stationary 
Engineers. 

Employees Aid association, Binghamton Railroad company. 

Catholic Knights of America, branches Nos. 54 and 518. 

Ancient Order of Hibernians, a county organization, five separate 
divisions and four Women's Auxiliary divisions. 

Knights of Columbus, Binghamton council No. 206, Catholic relief 
and beneficiary association. 

Ladies' Catholic Benevolent association, branches Nos. 31 and 125 
and St. Paul's branch. 

Catholic Benevolent Legion, Broome council, No. 533. 

New England society. E. C. Delavan, president; H. J. Gaylord, 
treasurer; G. A. Brown, secretary. 

Workmen's Sick and Death Benefit association, branch No. 16. 

Other societies which may be properly mentioned collectively are the 
German Mannerchor society, German Mutual Benevolent association, 
Bureau of Associated charities (organized 1886), City Employment 
society, The Refuge, Sabbath Association for Sunday Rest, National 
Association of Letter Carriers, Postoffice Clerk's association. Academy, 
of Science, Protective Legion. 



518 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 



CHAPTER XXII. 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 

A reliable writer of history in Binghamton and its vicinity says that 
about 1789 a Mr. Howe, a clergyman of the Baptist church, came to 
this locality, gathered together a few followers and established a church 
on the west side of the Chenango river, near the point where Prospect 
street joins Front street, in the extreme north part of the chy. The 
society, however, did not increase beyond a dozen or fifteen members, 
and in the course of a few years it gradually passed out of existence. 
Mr. Howe continued his missionary labors a few years and was then 
followed by Elder Fislc, under whom the dissolution is said to have 
taken place. These statements tend to show that the Baptists were 
first in the field in this vicinity, although nearly thirty years passed be- 
fore a church of that denomination gained a permanent foothold in the 
village. 

About the year 1798, according to the same authority, a Dutch Re- 
formed church was established through the missionary labors of a Mr. 
Finley, yet the location of the meeting house, if one then in fact ex- 
isted, is not mentioned; neither does the worthy chronicler inform us 
of the period of existence of the society. 

Standing on the east bank of the Chenango river, at a point almost 
directly opposite the western terminus of Bevier street, is an old time- 
worn, weather-beaten structure now occupied as a barn, but which once 
was a Dutch Reformed meeting house. A few of our oldest residents 
have a distinct recollection of the old building for a period of more 
than sixty years, and by them, as by the older inhabitants of half 
a century ago, it has always been mentioned as the Dutch Reformed 
meeting house; but when and by whom built, or the approximate 
period of its occupancy no man now can give any positive account. 

During the early years of the century, however, and after the little 
settlement at Chenango Point had acquired something like 200 inhab- 
itants, several missionary laborers from eastern New York and also 
from New England came through the Susquehanna valley to teach and 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 519 

preach the gospel among the settlers. Meeting houses were not thought 
of and the worshipers gathered in dwellings or under the friendly pro- 
tecting branches of a large tree, and there sang praises and heard the 
word. After the court house was removed from its original site to the 
square, all denominations were accustomed to meet in the court room, 
and the practice was continued until each society became sufficiently 
strong to procure a church home; and a glance at the succeeding pages 
of this chapter will show that nearly all our early church societies were 
organized within that old cradle of justice. According to the estab- 
lished records, the Protestant Episcopalians were first in the field with 
a permanent organization, followed by the Presbyterians, MethodLsts, 
Baptists, Congregationalists, Universalists, and Catholics, in the order 
mentioned. To the history of these several societies, and others of 
later formation, this chapter is devoted, treating of all societies of each 
denomination under one heading, and preserving as near as possible 
the order of formation. 

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL. 

Christ ChiircJi. — The history of the Protestant Episcopal church in 
Binghamton dates from the year 1810, yet well authenticated tradition 
traces its origin to the very earliest years of the century when the few 
churchmen and churchwomen of the little settlement held occasional 
service in the dwelling of one of their number, while at intervals they 
were visited by missionary workers from the east. However, a more 
formal organization, both of the church and the society, was effected in 
1810, under the direction of Rev. Daniel Nash, who acted as chairman 
of a meeting assembled for that purpose. On September 19 of the 
year mentioned, at a meeting of the Protestant Episcopalians of the 
village, held in the old court house on the square, an organization was 
perfected under the name of "Episcopal church of Chenango and 
Union," although records extant tend to show that "St. Ann's church " 
was the name first adopted. On the occasion mentioned Selah Squires 
and Christopher Eldredge were elected church wardens, and Daniel Le 
Roy, William Woodruff, Lewis Keeler, Joshua Whitney, Mason Whiting, 
Charles Stone, Elias B. Miller and John R. Wildman were chosen ves- 
trymen. 

The church was regularly incorporated under the name above men- 
tioned, yet at the end of about six years the organization was dissolved 
and a reincorporation was effected under the name of "Binghamton 



520 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

church," This action was taken at a meeting held at the house of 
Lewis Manning on October 7, 1816, Dr. Tracy Robinson presiding. It 
was then voted that Samuel M. McNeil and Selah Squires be church 
wardens, and Elias B. Miller, Lewis Squires, Mason Whiting, Dr. Tracy 
Robinson, John A. Collier, Thomas G. Waterman, John Stone and Rufus 
Park, vestrymen. The new church was incorporated October 10, 1816. 

In the early history of the church, services were generally held in the 
court house, but soon after the first incorporation a lot of land on 
Academy (now Washington street north of Court) street was secured 
through the generosity of General Whitney. Here the first edifice 
was built. It was consecrated by Bishop Hobart, November 10, 1818, 
at which time the permanent name of " Christ church " was adopted. 
In the course of a few years, however, the house of worship was sold 
to the society of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was removed to 
the north side of Henry street, where now stands the Republican build- 
ing. The second Episcopal edifice was erected in 1822, and was occu- 
pied until 1854, when it was replaced with the present stone edifice. 
The structure was completed and opened for services March 4, 1855. 
In architecture it is purely gothic, pleasing and convenient in every 
respect, and is now one of the most substantial and attractive of the 
old-time church edifices in the city. 

Such is a brief outline history of the pioneer church of the city. Rev. 
Daniel Nash undoubtedly was the first rector, but the names of his 
successors down to 1818 are not now known, and the early records of 
the parish appear to have been lost." The church records beginning in 
1818 contain many interesting elements of history, and on one of the 
pages is found the names of the communicants in the church in 1824. 
The roll contains the names of several old and substantial residents 
and heads of familes in the village at that time, hence is worthy of re- 
production in this chapter. The communicants then were Peter and 
Sally Crissey, Selah and Hannah Squires, Dolly Squires, Elias Pratt, 
Thomas and Sarah Evans, Nancy Whiting, Mary Stuart, Nancy Doty, 
Abigail Cushman, Eugene Cushman, Olive Huse, James H. Abbott, 
Sally Abbott, Ann F. Park, Bathsheba Park, Harriet Chamberlain, Pa- 
melia W. Waterman, Isaac Francis Park, Isaac Tompkins, Ephraim W. 
Gibson, Hannah Gibson, Mrs. Polly Lewis and James Rogers. 

From the baptismal and burial records beginning in 1818 we are able 
to furnish a reasonably accurate list of the deacons, priests and rectors 
in charge of the parish between the years 1818 and 1836. The succes- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 521 

sion as thus shown is as follows : James Keeler, deacon, 1818 ; Nathaniel 
Huse, priest, 1824; F. H. Cuming, priest, 1830; H. Adams, priest, 
1831-35; R. C. Simall, priest, 1836; Edward Andrews, rector, 1836. 

The succession of rectors since 1836 is as follows: Rev. Edward An- 
drews, D.D., 1836-43; Rev. J. F. Robertson, D. D., 1843-45; Rev. Ed- 
ward Andrews, D. D., 1845-51; Rev. Amos B. Beach, D. D., 1851-61; 
Rev. M. C. Lightner, D.D., 1861-63; Rev. Charles Piatt, D.U.,'l863-died 
July 25, 1869; Rev. William A. Hitchcock, D.D., 1869-75; Rev. Rob- 
ert N. Parke, D.D., 1875-84; Rev. R. G. Quennell, 1884-May 31, 1899; 
Rev. Harry Sherman Longley, formerly of Trinity church, Milford, 
Mass., September 16, 1899. Christ church now has 370 communicants. 
The present church wardens are George W. Lester and James S. 
Cary. The vestrymen are John Stuart Wells, Stephen C. Millard, Will- 
iam J. Kennedy, Fred W. Grummond, Dr. Henry Oliver Ely, E. Carl- 
ton Sisson, Arthur S. Miner and Frank Ruckel. 

Church of the Good Shepherd. — This church and parish were organ- 
ized in 1870 as a mission of Christ church, and was incorporated Janu- 
ary 25, of that year, under the name of "The Chapel and House of the 
Good Shepherd," as a free chapel for religious worship according to the 
principles and forms of the Protestant Episcopal church. The corner 
stone of the chapel edifice was laid by Bishop Huntington, November 
1, 1871, and the building was ready for occupancy early the following 
year. Rev. Charles Thompson Coer began his service as the head of 
the church in 1872, and in 1873 a distinct parish was organized. The 
first wardens of the new church were Horatio Evans and James Filmer. 
The vestr5^men were Daniel Lyons, Lewis Baird, Robert Crozier, 
Charles Dilley, Darwin Felter, Phineas W. Beebe, Charles F. Moore and 
George Chubb. The church roll at the present time shows the names 
of 220 communicants. 

The succession of rectors of the Church of the Good Shepherd is as 
follows: Rev. Charles Thompson Coer, 1872; Rev. Robert Paul, 
1872-73; Rev. Robert Hudson, 1873-74; Rev. Charles T. Coer, 1874- 
75; Rev. George A. Chambers, 1875; Rev. Samuel Gregory Lines, 
1875-78; Rev. M. C. Lightner, 1878-79; Rev. Robert Granger, 1879- 
81; Rev. G. Livingston Bishop, 1881-85; Rev. Hubert Le Fevre Gra- 
beau, 1886-90; Rev. Samuel D. Day, 1890-99 (the present rector.) The 
present church wardens are Charles F. Moore and Daniel Lyons. The 
vestrymen are Robert V. Bogart, George H. Bryant, Charles T. Hen- 
ning, Page W. Talbot, Harry Hinds and George H. Gillespie. 



523 BINGHAMTON ITS SETTLEMENT. 

Trinity Memorial Church. — At an informal conference of several 
business men of the city held at the office of Anderson & Gregg on 
September 26, 1883, the unanimous expression of those present favored 
the creation of a new Episcopal parish and the erection of a church edi- 
fice west of the Chenango river. The favorable sentiment then took a 
more formal turn and it was determined to accomplish that which had 
been advocated. The persons present on this occasion were John Ray- 
Clarke, Egbert A. Clark, John Anderson, Moses Stoppard, Byron 
Marks, F. M. Wilder, Leonard S. Carter, James K. Welden, Erastus 
C. Delavan, William F. Van Cleve, Clark Z. Otis and Charles S. Case. 
Nothing, however, was done until 1886, when a public announcement 
in the Daily Republican requested all persons interested in the advance- 
ment of the Episcopal church to meet at the residence of John Ray 
Clarke on the evening of March 6. This call was signed by John Ray 
Clarke, James K. Welden, John Anderson and Moses Stoppard. At 
the meeting it was determined to form a new parish and erect a church 
edifice as soon as possible. A lot at the corner of Main and Oak streets 
was given by John Ray Clarke and Mr. Welden, and on May 12 the 
following wardens and vestrymen were elected: Wardens, John Ray 
Clarke and John Anderson; vestrymen, James K. Welden, Byron 
Marks, Moses Stoppard, Charles M. Stone, Erastus C. Delavan, Stephen 
B. Drass, C. L. Ford and William F. Van Cleve. 

On May 13, 1886, articles of incorporation were filed in the Broome 
county clerk's ofBce. A call was issued to Rev. H. Sidney Cooke to 
become rector of the church, and arrangements were made to hold cot- 
tage services until a church edifice should be completed. The edifice, 
however, was soon built, and the first service was held therein on Whit- 
Sunday, June 13, 1886. 

In the course of the next few years the membership and congrega- 
tions increased rapidly and a larger house of worship was necessary. 
Mrs. Elizabeth Clarke, widow of John Ray Clarke, one of the founders 
of the church, gave the sum of $25,000 toward the building fund, and 
it was thereupon decided to build the edifice as a memorial church. 
Other contributions were large and were freely given, and in the early 
spring of 1895 work was begun. The corner stone of the church was 
laid by Bishop Huntington, May 22, 1895, but the work of construction 
required nearly two years time. 

Trinity Memorial is one of the most modern and attractive church 
edifices in the city. It is built of Oxford blue stone, from the famous 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 523 

Clarke quarries, and in style of architecture is purely gothic both in 
exterior and interior finish. It cost $60,000. The large window in the 
front of the church is a memorial to the late James K. Welden by his 
family. Mrs . Jane G. Hyde and daughter gave a window in memory of 
the late Henry M. Hyde. Mrs. H. Clay Preston gave a window in 
honor of Mrs. Ida Morrison Jones. Mrs. Charles Purdy gave a window 
in memory of her child. 

The altar was given by Robert H. Rose ; the altar cross by Mr. and Mrs. 
William Clarke; the brass pulpit by Mrs. John Ray Clarke and Mrs. 
Charles M. Stone in memory of John Ray Clarke; the lecturn by H. 
Austin Bump in memory of Mrs. Lizzie Marks Bump; the Bible by Mr. 
Bump in memory of the late Byron Marks; the litany desk by Mrs. 
Robert H. Rose, and the litany book by Miss Marion Rose; the bap- 
tismal font by Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Stone; the ewer and stand by 
Miss Fannie Lewis; the processional cross by Craig Rose; the burse, 
chalice, veil and white vestal stole by Mrs. Charles S. Case; the cre- 
dence table by H. Austin Bump in memory of Mrs. Byron Marks; the 
altar desk by the congregation in memory of the first rector. Rev. H. 
Sidney Cooke; and the altar rail by the congregation in memory of the 
second rector, Rev. W. Henry Piatt. 

Trinity Memorial church has 617 communicating members. 

The succession of rectors is as follows: Rev. H. Sidney Cooke, May 
1,1886 (died March 27, 1890); Rev. W. Henry Piatt, June 15, 1890 
(died May 24, 1893); Rev. J. H. La Roche, November, 1898 (the pres- 
ent rector). 

The church officers are Rev. James H. La Roche, rector; John An- 
derson and Moses Stoppard, wardens; Stephen B. Brass, Robert H. 
Rose, Charles M. Stone, Erastus C. Delavan, M. S. Squires, Austin S. 
Bump, Wm. H. Hoerrner and Benj. F. Welden, vestrymen. 

PRESBYTERIAN. 

The First Church.^ — As early as 1810, and from that time to about 
1816, Presbyterian missionaries and laborers from the east conducted 
religious services in Chenango Point, holding meetings in the old frame 
court house that stood on the corner of the square. At a meeting held 
October 22, 1816, for the purpose of forming a religious corporation, 
William Van Name and Horace Williston were appointed to preside at 
an election of trustees. The trustees then chosen were Stephen Weed, 

' Compiled largely from the church manual of 1895. 



524 _ BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

Jonathan Ogden, Jonathan Thomas, Benjamin Sawtell, Ebenezer Whit- 
ney and Horace Williston, who, under the certificate of the presiding 
officers, were declared "forever to be known as the trustees of the 
Presbyterian society of the town of Chenango." 

Notwithstanding this action it is understood that the formal church 
organization was not effected until November 17, 1817, when Revs. 
Ebenezer Kingsbury and Joseph Wood were present as officiating 
clergymen. The original members constituting the church were Jesse 
Hiads, Jonathan Ogden, John McKinney, Ruth Sedgwick, Mary Whit- 
ing, Martha Hinds, Julia Weed, Louisa Ely, Eliza Smith, Mary Whit- 
more, Hannah Whitney, Tryphena Sabin, Pruda Woodruff, Anastasia 
Ogden, Mary McKinney, Lucy Edwards, Cornelia Edwards, Mary 
Elizabeth Whiting, Sally Hosford and Elizabeth Manning. 

Rev. Benjamin Niles was elected the first pastor of the new church, 
and was ordained and installed in September, 1818. The church 
adopted at first the Congregational form of government, and John Mc- 
Kinney and Samuel Stow were elected deacons. At a meeting held 
June 12, 1820, the form of church government was changed from Con- 
gregational to Presbyterian polity, and soon after 1821 the church was 
received into the Tioga Presbytery. The first ruling elders were 
Samuel Stow, John McKinney and Josiah West. 

The church steadily increased in membership, and in 1819, on the site 
of the present church edifice on Chenango street was erected the first 
house of worship, a frame structure, 40x40 feet in dimensions. In 1843 
it became necessary to enlarge the edifice, and again in 1848 its seating 
capacity was increased. At the annual society meeting in 1860 it was 
voted to erect a new house of worship. The work was at once begun 
and in two years the new sanctuary was completed. It was of brick, 
in Romanesque style, eighty feet wide and 130 feet long, and was de- 
signed to seat 1,200 persons. Sunday, March 13, 1802, was appointed 
as the dedication day of the new edifice, but on the night before the 
anticipated event, about 10 o'clock, an alarm of fire was heard through 
the village, and on Sunday morning the new Presbyterian church was 
in ashes. It was a staggering blow and men's hearts failed for the mo- 
ment; but the children began to act while the men paused, and soon 
throughout the entire congregation was kindled a greater fire of devo- 
tion and energy which ceased not to burn until the ruined structure was 
rebuilt and dedicated April 26, 18G3. In 1870 was erected the spacious 
chapel, containing lecture and Sunday school rooms, parlors and other 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 535 

conveniences for the greater usefulness of the church. In 1885, and 
again about ten years later the main edifice was improved and beau- 
tified. 

The First Presbyterian church has the honor of having been a fruit- 
ful mother of churches. The Presbyterian church of Castle Creek, or- 
ganized in ISo-l; the Congregational church of this city, organized in 
1836; the North Presbyterian church, organized in 1870; the West 
Presbyterian church, organized in 1873, and the Immanuel Presbyterian 
church, organized in 1897, were all offshoots or colonies from the mother 
church. 

The church has now a membership of 1,057 persons and ranks as the 
nineteenth church in numbers in connection with the general assembly 
in this country. The church is organized with nine elders and twelve 
deacons; operates two Sunday schools and one industrial school; has 
two Women's Missionary societies, two Young Ladies' Missionary 
societies, one Christian Endeavor society, one Junior Christian Endeav- 
or society and a Brotherhood of Andrew and Philip. 

The following is a complete list of the installed pastors of the 
church from the time of its organization: 

Rev. Benjamin Niles, March, 1818, to the time of his death, July, 
1828; Rev. Peter Lockwood, November, 1827, to April, 1833; Rev. 
Lewis D. Howell, August, 1833, to September, 1834; Rev. John A 
Nash, February, 1836, to April, 1838; Rev. David D. Gregory, Sep- 
tember, 1839, to June, 1848; Rev, John Humphrey, October, 1848, 
to April, 1854; Rev. William H Goodrich, D. D., December, 1854, 
to January, 1858; Rev. George Nye Boardman, D. D., November, 
1859, to April, 1871; Rev. John P. Gulliver, D. D., November, 1872, 
to January, 1879; Rev. Gideon Parsons Nichols, D. D., November, 
1881, to — (the present pastor). 

An interesting event in connection with the recent history of the 
church was the unveiling of two memorial tablets on November 25, 
1897, the eightieth anniversary of the organization of the church. One 
of the tablets was erected as a memorial to the founders of the church, 
the gift of their descendants, and the other to the pastors of the church 
whose life work is closed, the gift of generous members of the con- 
gregation. The unveiling was accompanied with appropriate services, 
the speakers of the occasion being the pastor, Dr. Nichols, Dr. John 
Gay Orton, John B. Van Name and Major Edward P. McKinney. 

The present ofificiary of the church is as follows: Elders, John B. 



526 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Van Name, Burritt Brown, Orson Britton, William N. Wilson, Charles 
W. Loomis, S. Mills Ely, David H. Carver, W. Scott Brandt and 
George J. Michaelbach; deacons, Joseph W. Brown, Edward F. Leigh- 
ton, John Leverett, Moses D. Monroe, W. Conger Smith, Clinton F. 
McHenry, Harden W. Sykes, Samuel N. Thatcher, John R. Clements, 
Edward P. McKinney, John O. Porter and Daniel N. Bodle. 

The trustees of the society are Alonzo C. Matthews, Edward P. 
Smith, John B. Van Name, Charles A. Weed, Asa R. Tweedy and 
John Bayless. 

North Presbyterian Church.' — On July 19, 1869, the North Presby- 
terian society was organized in the session room of the First Presby- 
terian church. On August 3, following, it was resolved to build a brick 
chapel on the lot at the corner of Munsell and Chenango streets, and 
on February 13, 1870, the chapel was dedicated. On February 23, 
of the same year, the society voted to call and settle as pastor Charles 
P. Coit, who was then a student in Auburn Theological seminary. This 
proceeding was unusual as a pastor was called when no church in fact 
existed; but the situation gave no trouble and the next steps proceeded 
in regular order. 

On April 6, 1870, it was resolved to organize a church and applica- 
tion was accordingly made to the Presbytery of Tioga sitting at Union, 
April 13. The Presbytery acceded to the request, and a committee ap- 
pointed by that body met in the chapel on Sunday afternoon, April 17, 
1870, and organized 41 persons from the First Presbyterian church, 8 
from other churches, and one by profession of faith — a total of 50 — into 
the North Presbyterian church of Binghamton. On May 8, Mr. Coit 
began his work with the church, and on Tuesday, June 28, he was or- 
dained and installed as pastor. 

In this connection it is interesting to note that while the church was 
organized by the Presbytery of Tioga, the ordination and installation 
were by the Presbytery of Binghamton. At that time the old and new 
schools of the Presbyterian church had just been united and, following 
out the plans of reorganization adopted by the joint assembly and the 
synods, several presbyteries, and some scattered churches with their 
pastors, were brought together to constitute the Presbytery of Bing- 
hamton. That presbytery was organized in the chapel of the North 
church on the day on which the ordination ceremony above mentioned 
was performed. 

• Compiled from the Church Manual. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 537 

From the beginning the church has possessed a vigorous life. Dur- 
ing the pastorate of Mr. Coit, 125 members were added to the church, 
while the Sunday school and benevolent operations were systematically 
arranged and carried forward. Mr. Coit's pastorate continued until 
July 1, 1874. 

The second pastorate, that of Rev. John McVey, the present pastor 
of the church, began officially March 1, 1875. During this period of 
more than twenty- five years, the North church has witnessed its great- 
est growth and prosperity, and the membership has increased to a total 
of 423. On January 26, 1875, Dr. McVey was called, and he entered 
upon his labors March 1, following. "For more than twenty-five 
years," says the report of the session, "he has been the shepherd of 
this flock, and in the hearts of old and young there has grown up for 
him a strong love. He has faithfully declared unto us the counsel of 
God and has worked earnestly for our salvation and advancement. He 
has fulfilled the scriptural injunction to 'rejoice with them that do re- 
joice, and weep with them that weep.' Many happy occasions have been 
made brighter by his presence, and in time of trouble many aching 
hearts have been comforted by his tender sympathy and helpful coun- 
sel. Much of our solidity and prosperity as a church is due to his wise 
judgment and untiring efforts." 

It was early proposed to erect a church edifice in addition to the 
chapel, and while the subject was under serious consideration about 
1875, it was not until nearly ten years afterward that the work was ac- 
complished. Ground was broken for the new structure on October 15, 
1884; the first stone was laid November 7, and the foundation walls 
were finished December 11, 1884, the corner stone was laid May 12, 
1885; the building was completed in January, 1886, and on the evening 
of January 19 the services of dedication were held. Rev. Dr. John Hall, 
of New York, preaching the sermon. 

During the period of its history the following persons have served as 
elders of the church : Dr. Edward I. Ford, Joel W. Scott, V. W. Bay- 
less, Samuel N. Thatcher, F. A. Hoag, F. G. Niles, William Scott, M. 
L. Jones, R. J. Bates, Wm. Pugsley, O. A. Kilmer, A. A. Kilmer, Wm. 
S. Beals, Lemuel Harding, Charles F. Anderson and Wm. H. Cannon. 

The present deacons are G. A, Goodnough, James O. Carmichael, 
George J. Dunckell, J. Harry Underwood, Edward Martin, Emerson 
F. Smith. 

The trustees of the society are Elbert A. Beman, Benjamin H. Nel- 



528 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

son, A. L. Davis (now desceased), J. M. Kilmer, Wm. H. Cannon, 
John Colsten, John B. Jameson, George W. Gale and Watts C. Bates. 

West Presbyteria7i Church^ — About the year 1860 or 1861, near the 
beginning of Dr. Boardman's pastorate in the first Presbyterian church, 
and about ten years previous to the organization of the North church, 
a movement was set on foot to establish a second Presbyterian church, 
to be located west of the Chenango river. Prominent citizens then 
having their residence on the west side of the river took an active in- 
terest in the project and the sum of $10,000 or $12,000 was subscribed 
as a building fund. But the enterprise, v/hich from the first had met 
with little favor on the part of a majority of members of the mother 
church, was finally abandoned when, in March, 1862, the new edifice of 
the First church was destroyed by fire. This calamity was felt as a 
common loss and seemed to call loudly for all the members in sustain- 
ing the burden of rebuilding. The movers of the new enterprise were 
constrained to bestow all their means and energies upon the erection of 
the present edifice of the parent church; and thus the project of a sec- 
ond Presbyterian church was for the time relinquished. 

In 1863, the Congregational society having sold the old house of wor- 
ship on Chenango street, secured their present church site at the corner 
of Main and Front streets, built a chapel and located on the west side 
of the Chenango. This action for a long time kept at rest all thought 
of establishing another kindred organization in the western part of the 
village; and for ten years following (and those years of Binghamton's 
most rapid increase in population up to that time) the First Congre- 
gational society enjoyed the sole occupancy of the field. Meanwhile 
the North church had been formed in April, 1870. However, early in 
1871 it was felt that the time had arrived to move in the matter of the 
formation of a third society. The movement assumed definite shape 
on May 29 of that year, when the first preliminary meeting was held; 
and at a subsequent meeting — June 5 — it was resolved "that we now 
proceed to the formation of a third Presbyterian society in Bingham- 
ton." On June 28 at a public meeting, called regularly and legally, 
the West Presbyterian society was formally organized, and a board of 
trustees was elected. The first board comprised M. L. Barnes, George 
W. Burbank, Ephriam F. Matthews, E. B. Barnes, J. H. Christopher 
and E. W. Evans. 

On July 21 the trustees purchased land on North street and after- 

• From historical sketch prepared by the pastor, and from original data. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 529 

ward increased its area by the acquisition of adjoining lots. On Janu- 
ary 21, 1872, a building committee comprising James W. Manier, Mor- 
gan L. Barnes and George W. Burbank was appointed, and in August 
following the foundation of a large brick chapel was laid. The build- 
ing was completed during the succeeding fall and winter, and on Janu- 
ary 16, 1873, the formal dedicatory services were held, the sermon be- 
ing delivered by Dr. Gulliver of the First church, while in the other 
exercises of the occasion the officiating clergymen were Rev. Charles 
P. Coit of the North church, Dr. Lyman Wright of the First Baptist 
church. Rev. D. D. Gregory, Dr. Edward Taylor, Rev. Sabin McKinney 
and others. 

In the meantime, however, and in November, 1872, Rev. Samuel Dun- 
ham of Norwalk, Conn., was invited to the city with a view to accepting 
the pastorate of the new church. A formal call was tendered him No- 
vember 24, 1872, and on November 29 the call was accepted. The first 
Sabbath service was held January 19, 1873, and on the same day the 
Sunday school was organized under the superintendence of Dr. George 
F. Hand. On February 12 the church was formally recognized by the 
Presbytery of Binghamton, at which time also Isaac A. Finney, Morgan 
L. Barnes and George W. Burbank were chosen elders, and E. F. Mat- 
thews, E. B. Barnes and James W. Manier, deacons. The original 
members numbered sixty-five persons, of whom fifty-three came from 
the mother church, eleven by letter from other churches and one on 
profession of faith. 

Rev. Samuel Dunham was installed pastor of the church April 24, 
1873, and that pastorate has not yet ended. Indeed, throughout all 
these years of building up and continued growth he has been a part of 
the spiritual and material life of the church. His life and works and 
the history of the church are so closely interwoven that to separate them 
is well-nigh impossible. Under his counsel and leadership the debt 
that once threatened disaster was removed, and in 1885-86 material 
additions were made to the edifice at a total cost of about $8,500. On 
March 23, 1886, the church was rededicated and at once entered upon a 
new era of usefulness and prosperity and influence in the city. Soon 
after that event the pastor tendered his resignation, feeling that per- 
haps the best interests of the church would be advanced by such a 
course, but at the earnest entreaty of the entire congregation, and the 
request of many prominent members of other churches, the resigna- 
tion was recalled. 
34 



530 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT. 

On April 24, 1898, the West Presbyterian church celebrated the 
twenty-fifth anniversary of Mr. Dunham's installation in the pastorate. 
At that time the total membership was 755, or a gain of 690 over 
the original number of members. At that time, too, the church and 
congregation had outgrown the seating capacity of the edifice on North 
street, and a new, larger and more modern house of worship became a 
necessity. To accomplish this work pastor and members alike bent 
their energies and success rewarded their efforts. It was soon deter- 
mined to purchase the residence property of the late Judge Edwards at 
the corner of Main and Walnut streets, which was accordingly done at 
an expense of $20,000. During the spring and summer of 1899 a beau- 
tiful church edifice was erected at an additional expense (including the 
organ) of about $30,000, The edifice was dedicated, free from debt, 
October 16, 1899. 

The new structure is one of the most complete, attractive and con- 
venient buildings of its kind in the city, and is in every way a model of 
architectural skill and faithful mechanical construction. Indeed it is, 
and for long years to come will remain, a fitting tribute to the memory 
of her in whose honor it is erected — Mrs. Sarah M. Dunham, wife of 
the first pastor. The edifice abounds in memorial windows, the gifts 
of loving relatives, but among them all the most elegant is that given 
by a few personal friends of Mr. and Mrs. Dunham in memory of Mrs. 
Dunham and children. In the auditorium and galleries proper is a 
seating capacity for about 1,000 persons, and by throwing open a series 
of nicely adjusted sliding doors additional floor and gallery space is 
available for about 500 more sittings. 

Such is a brief outline history of the West Presbyterian church of 
Binghamton. Of the original members the names of thirty-one are 
still on the church roll; twenty-four have been taken away by death, 
and ten by letters of dismission. 

The present officiary of the church is as follows: Rev. Samuel Dun- 
ham, pastor; George W, Burbank, Dr. George F. Hand, Harvey J, 
Gaylord, Willard L. Bundy, Nathaniel D. Musson, Burtis J. Bayless 
and Vinton S. Paessler, elders; ' William T. Haney, Frank Snyder, Dr. 
Herbert D. Whitmarsh, Louis A. Osgood, Carlton E. Hathaway and 
Clarence E. Terrill, deacons. The trustees of the society are Dr. H.D. 
Whitmarsh, W. L. Bundy, C. F. Peck, L. A. Osgood, C. E. Hathaway 
and Charles A. Ball. 

•James M. Stone and Obadiah Z. Brown, former elders, died in 1899, hence the eldership has 
two vacancies. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 531 

Ross Memorial Presbyterian Church. — Previous to the organization of 
a church society in the south part of the city a district school house 
stood near the present entrance to Ross park. In this school house 
Sunday school and prayer meeting services were frequently held by 
residents of the neighborhood; but in a short time the lands in this 
vicinity were included within the corporation limits and the title to the 
school property passed by purchase to the city. About the same time, 
or in 1876, the brick church edifice on Corbett avenue was erected by 
Erastus Ross, as a memorial to his mother. The corner stone was laid 
August 12, by Rev. vSamuel Dunham, assisted by Rev. Lyman Wright,- 
D.D., Rev. Dr. Z. Paddock and Rev. Albert Snashall. The edifice 
was completed and formally dedicated on Tuesday, August 8, 1877, 
Rev. Samuel Dunham officiating. 

On December 7, 1879, a church with seventeen constituent members 
was organized in the new house of worship, and was named " Ross Me- 
morial Presbyterian church." Dr. McVey, of the North church, or- 
dained the ruling elders, who were John Patterson, William D. Wil- 
marth and Alexander Woolsey. In 1892 Mr. Ross conveyed the prop- 
erty to the Presbytery of Binghamton. 

The first pastor of the church was Rev. Robert A. Clarke, who served 
in that capacity from 1879 to 1882. For the next four years the church 
was without a pastoral head, but the pulpit was generally supplied dur- 
ing the period. Rev. Reuben N. Ives was pastor from 1886 to 1891. 
Revs. Martin A. Dunham and Edward W. Lake next supplied the 
church a short time, and in July, 1892, Rev. Daniel N. Grummon, the 
present pastor, began the work which has resulted in much benefit both 
to the church and also to the city at large. The present membership, 
as reported to the last general assembly, is 109 persons. The ruling 
elders are George N. Arnold, John Parker, Albert J. Rush, Grant Sul- 
livan and William Van Vorce. The Sunday school at first was under 
the superintendence of Truman I. Lacy, who was followed by John 
Patterson. For a time the school was conducted by Albert Brown, of 
the First Presbyterian church, who was assisted by a corps of teachers 
from the same parent body until it was sufficiently strong to furnish its 
own officers and teachers. About 150 pupils are now enrolled with 
about sixty additional in the home department. 

The trustees of the society are Edwin Benn, Edward Marshall and 
Frederick L. Stone. 

Floral Avenue Church.— The Floral Avenue Presbyterian chapel was 



532 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

built by the Presbyterian Union of the city and was dedicated Sunday, 
October 18, 1891. On May 22, 1892, the Presbytery of Binghamton 
met in the chapel and organized a church of forty-four members, with 
Rev. T. C. Miller as pastor. The second pastor was Rev. Robert C. 
Bryant, who was ordained and installed June 4, 1895, and continued in 
the pastorate until December 31, 1898. The third pastor was Rev. 
Charles Edward Fay, whose official connection with the church began 
January 1, 1899. The present membership is about 100 persons. 

The officers of the church are Rev. C. E. Fay, pastor; George M. T. 
Johnson, W. H. Preston and C. T. Dickson, elders; Fred. Foster, M. 
C. Prentice and C. S. Houk, deacons. The trustees of the society are 
G. D. Foster, T. R. Hollister, M. C. Prentice, Daniel Tripp and C. T. 
Dickson. 

Broad Avenue Chiircli. — In May, 1890, a Union of the Presbyterian 
churches of the city was formed for the purpose of establishing Sunday 
schools, and thus lay the foundations for future churches in unsupplied 
portions of the city. In accordance with this movement the Broad 
Avenue chapel was built in 1891, and was dedicated in November of 
that year. The Sunday school was continued until May 29, 1894, when 
a church organization with twenty seven members was formed. The 
first pastor of the church (still serving) was Rev. Frederick Perkins. 
The present membership is 128. The elders are J. D. Beebe, R. J. 
Jump, F. A. Smith, G. B. Perkins and J. G. Spier. 

Imnianuel Presbyterian Church. — The Sunday school in which Im- 
manuel church had its inception, was organized November 20, 1881, 
and took the name of Mersereau School House Sunday school in allu- 
sion to the fact that it was started on Bevier street, in the Mersereau 
neighborhood. The Sunday school, which was a mission of the First 
Presbyterian church, was organized by Miss Cora Conklin (now Mrs. 
O. E. Flint). Ensign Conklin was elected superintendent at the meet- 
ing held the week after organization, and ten classes were formed. 
George Johnson was chosen superintendent, March 18, 1882, and F. A. 
Hoag six months later. George J. Michelbach was chosen superintend- 
ent December 12, 1884. 

With the aid of the First Presbyterian church congregation, which 
contributed ^1,000 for the purpose, a lot was purchased, and in Decem- 
ber, 1889, the chapel building on upper Chenango street was dedicated. 
At the suggestion of Dr. Nichols, of the mother church, the name 
" Immanuel chapel" was taken. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 533 

Immanuel Presbyterian church was organized June 15, 1897, with 
eig-hty-eight constituent members, of which number eighty came from 
the parent church. The present membership is 101. The church has 
been under the pastoral care of Rev. John McLachlan, formerly assist- 
ant pastor to Dr. Nichols, and who began conducting preaching services 
in the chapel in 1894. 

The elders of the church have been Dr. William T. Bailey, Silas E. 
Washburne, George J. Michelbach. The deacons have been John D. 
Davidson, Carroll E. Erskine, Theodore P. Gillespie. The trustees 
have been George J. Michelbach, Herbert Wells, John D. Davidson, 
Horace Smith, William Hazen, John Corwin, Silas Corwin, Herbert 
Wells. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL. 

Among the early settlers in the village of Binghamton was a handful 
of devoted Methodists who frequently met together to worship accord- 
ing to the teachings of their own church, while occasionally a circuit 
preacher came into the locality to exhort them to be firm in their faith. 
As early as 181i these meetings began to take definite form and a so- 
ciety was organized. Two years later, in 1816, a church was organized 
with a membership of six persons. They were Joseph Manning and his 
wife and daughter, Selah P. Rood, and Peter Wentz and his wife. 

The seed of Methodism was thus planted in fertile ground in the vil- 
lage; and it soon took root and grew into the outspreading Methodist 
tree of the present day. After the society had been formed meetings 
were held in the court house about five or six years, and during this 
period the members were striving for a still more perfect organization 
and also for the erection of a meeting house. To this end, and in order 
to acquire and hold property, the society was incorporated. This action 
was taken at a meeting of the members held at the house of Nicanor 
Munson on March 1, 1819. The society then took the name of "The 
First Methodist Episcopal church in the towns of Chenango and Union, 
in the county of Broome." The first trustees were Ely Osborn, Nica- 
nor Munson, Charles Stone, Samuel Crocker, Isaac Turner, Isaac Page 
and Gaylord Judd. 

This incorporation, however, appears not to have been permanent, 
as at a subsequent meeting, held November 26, 1821, in the village 
school house a reorganization was eflfected under the name of the 
*' First Society of the Methodist Episcopal church in Binghamton." At 



634 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

that time the meeting was presided over by Selah Payne and Moses 
Dyer. The trustees chosen were Ely Osborn, Isaac Page, Moses Dyer, 
Jonah Musphrat, Selah Payne, John Whitham and Charles Stone. 

A second reorganization was effected in 1823, at a meeting held in the 
chapel on Henry street, at which time the society became a body cor- 
porate under the name of the "Society of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church of Binghamton." The trustees chosen on this occasion were 
Nathaniel Lewis, David Bartow, Ely Osborn, Peter Wentz, John Whit- 
ham, Isaac Page and Moses Dyer. 

In the meantime, in 1822, the society purchased the frame church 
edifice previously occupied by the Protestant Episcopal society, and re- 
moved the structure from its location on Academy (now Washington) 
street to a lot on Henry street, on the site where now stands the Re- 
publican building. The land was donated to the society by General 
Whitney. At this time and during all the years previous to 1832, Bing- 
hamton formed a part of the circuit of the M. E. church, and was 
regularly supplied with circuit preachers. The village church was 
made a separate charge in 1832 and was afterward furnished with a 
resident minister. 

For a period of eight years after Binghamton was made a separate 
charge the society enjoyed a healthful growth and increased in mem- 
bership and influence in the village; but in 1840 a number of dissent- 
ers severed their connection with the mother church and organized 
*' The Methodist Protestant church in Binghamton." This society was 
incorporated August 31, of the year mentioned, at a meeting presided 
over by Daniel Lewis and Ezra Congdon. The first trustees were Bar- 
zilla Marvin, John D. Smith, Ezra Bennett, Roger W. Hinds aud Na- 
than S. Davis. A lot at the corner of Court and Carroll streets was 
secured and a meeting house was built thereon in 1840-41. 

After about ten years of vicissitudes the Methodist Protestant society 
ceased to exist, many of its members returning to the parent church 
while others found their way into other evangelical churches of the 
village. 

The Second Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Binghamton 
was formed in 1851, and was an offshoot from the church on Henry 
street. As originally constituted the new church membership num- 
bered about one third of the strength of the older body, yet during the 
next ten years, the period of its separate existence, the number was 
increased to about 300 persons. Soon after its organization the second 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 535 

society purchased the meeting house formerly occupied by the Meth- 
odist Protestants, but after the churches were united the building was 
used by the Free Methodists. 

The Centenary Cknrch.—ln 1805, during Rev. Thomas H. Pearne's 
pastorate in the mother church, a reunion of the Methodist Episcopal 
societies was accomplished. That year was the centennial of Method- 
ism in America, and in allusion to the event the consolidated church 
adopted the name of " Centenary Church." 

During the period of its history the pastors of the Second M. E. 
church were as follows: George P. Porter, 1851; Horatio R. Clarke, 
1852; Epenetus Owen, 1853-54; B.W. Gorham, 1855; Peter S. Worden, 
1856; Horatio R. Clarke, 1857; John A. Wood, 1858-59: B. W. Gorham, 
1860; D. C. Olmsted, 1861-62; Peter S. Worden, 1863; George N.Blakes- 
lee, 1864. 

The Centenary Church. — In 1865, during the pastorate of Rev. Thomas 
H. Pearne, the members of the First and Second Methodist Episcopal 
societies were persuaded that the best interests of both organizations 
would be advanced by a union of the churches. The pastor and the 
leading members of his flock labored earnestly to this end, but before 
his work was fully completed Mr. Pearne was called from the city and 
Dr. Bristol succeeded to his position. The consolidated churches then 
numbered 4,000 members and the erection of a new and larger edifice 
became a necessity. A lot was purchased at the corner of Court and 
Cedar (as then known) streets and in 1866 the corner stone of the new 
edifice was laid. The structure was finished in 1868, and was one of 
the largest and most imposing buildings of its kind in the city. It is 
constructed of brick, with Onondaga limestone trimmings. Its total 
cost was about $65,000; the property, including parsonage, is now esti- 
mated to be worth not less than $100,000. 

The Centenary church indeed has been a mother of churches in the 
city, its direct offshoots having been the Tabernacle church in 1872, 
High street in 1873, Chenango street in 1880, and Fairview in 1897. 
The branches of the Tabernacle church, hence indirect offshoots from 
the parent body, have been the Oak street church, 1884, and the Clin- 
ton street and Lestershire churches, both of which were formed in 1891. 

Notwithstanding the fact that seven separate societies have grown 
out of the mother church the latter now has a membership of 850 per- 
sons, hence is one of the strongest religious corporations in the city. 
Its growth ever has been healthful, steady and permanent. Its list of 



536 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

pastors, beginning with the little struggling society of 1816 and follow- 
ing down through the later years of the century to the consolidation of 
the two churches, and thence to the present time forms an unbroken 
chain as well as an interesting element of the history of the church. 
The succession is as follows: 

Revs. Ebenezer Doolittle, 1816; John Arnold, 1817; H. G. Warner, 
1818; Wm. Lull, 1819; Horace Agard, 1830; John Sayer, 1821; Solon 
Stocking, 1822; Gaylord Judd, 1823; Philo Barbery, 18M; Benjamin 
Shipman, 1825; H. Cushman, 1826; George Evans, 1827; Philo Bar- 
bery and Benjamin Shipman, 1828; Benj. Shipman and Daniel Torrey, 
1829; Silas Comfort and M. K. Cushman, 1830; Silas Comfort and Nel- 
son Rounds, 1831; D. A. Shepard, 1832-33; J. S. Mitchell, 1834-35; 
Hanford Colburn, 1836; H. F. Rowe, 1837; Robert Fox, 1838; Joseph 
Cross, 1839; William H. Pearne, 1840; Freeman H. Stanton, 1841-42; 
Abel Barker, 1843-44; Thomas H. Pearne, 1845-46; A. J. Dana, 1847; 
Zachariah Paddock, 1848-49; Wm. H. Pearne, 1850-51; B. W. Gorham, 
1852; J. W. Davidson, 1853; D. A. Shepard, 1854-55; A. P. Mead, 
1856-57; T. D. Walker. 1858-59; Z. Paddock and E. Owen, 1860; Z. 
Paddock, 1861; W. Wyatt, 1862; W. B. Westlake, 1863-64; Thomas 
H. Pearne, 1865; D. W. Bristol, 1866-67; J. D. Adams, 1868; William 
H. Olin, 1869-71; L. C. Floyd, 1872-74; Austin Griffin, 1875-77; I. T. 
Walker, 1878-80; Wm. H. Olin, 1881-83; O. W. Scott, 1884-85; Man- 
ley S. Hard, 1886-90; G. M. Colville, 1891-93; John H. Race, 1893-97; 
Henry Tuckley, D. D., 1898-99 (the present pastor). 

The official members of the Centenary church are as follows: Rev. 
Henry Tuckley, D.D., pastor; Revs. Wells and Luce, retired ministers; 
Lowell Harding and E. R. Dean, local preachers; E. R. Dean, Albert 
Knapp, Dr. J. M. Farrington, J. L. Terwilliger, John Attridge, F. M. 
Leonard and W. R. Alexander, class leaders; J. W. Ballard, J. J. Jay- 
cox, George H. Buck, Prof. C. F. Norton, D. W. Chubbuck, Dr. John 
F. Place, A. J. Dibble, J. C. Hanley, W. J. Haskin, T. W. Russell, H. 
Tayntor, George N. Cobb and Fred J. Mable, stewards. 

The trustees of the society are William H. Stilwell, John J. McEl- 
roy, Leander Davis, Ely O. Everts, R. M. Hays, M. C. Craven A. H. 
Leet, D. G. Mulford and Charles R. Williams. 

The Tabernacle Church. — The Tabernacle M. E. church was a direct 
offshoot from the Centenary church, and had its origin in meetings 
held in the Riverside seminary building on the west side of Front street 
in 1871 and '72, during the closing years of Dr. Olin's pastorate and 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 537 

the beginning of Elder Floyd's in the mother church. As soon as pos- 
sible the new society procured a lot at the corner of Main and Arthur 
streets and built thereon a small, plain, yet comfortable house of wor- 
ship. The formal organization was perfected April 4, 1873, when 185 
members of the parent church withdrew to unite with the new society. 
Rev. L. C. Floyd, pastor of the Centenary church, was an active factor 
in organizing the new society. The pulpit was supplied until 1873, 
when Rev. A. D. Alexander became pastor of the Tabernacle church. 
In- less than ten years the growth of the new church was such that it 
became necessary to provide a new and much larger house of worship 
than the wooden structure previously occupied, hence in 1883 the pres- 
ent edifice was built. At the time it was regarded as one of the model 
church edifices in the city, and indeed it is now one of the most attract- 
ive houses of worship. But the most remarkable event in connection 
with the history of the Tabernacle church has been its growth in mem- 
bership and the influence for good it has exercised in the western part 
of the city. In the twenty-five years of its existence the church has in- 
creased from an original membership of 185 to a present total of seven 
hundred, and during the same period it also contributed largely to the 
strength of the Oak street, the Clinton street and to the Lestershire 
churches, all of which were direct offshoots from the Tabernacle as a 
mother church. 

The succession of pastors of the church is as follows; Revs. A. D. 
Alexander, 1873-76; Thomas Harroun, 1870-79; J. B. Sumner, 1879- 
82; E. W. Caswell, 1882-84; A. L. Smalley, 1884-86; G. M. Colville, 
1886-91 ; Austin Grififin, 1891-94; Edwin B. Olmsted, 1894-99; Addison 
Wilbur Hayes, 1899. 

The present officers of the church are Rev. A. W. Hayes, pastor; 
Conrad Klee and H. W. Bennett, class leaders. 

The trustees are N. H. Bump, A. W. Clinton, C. L. Gardner, G. S. 
Humphrey, Conrad Klee, W. M. McLean, Charles H. Niven, Harry C. 
Perkins and William J. Welsh. President of the board of trustees, W. 
M. McLean, vice-president of the official board, W. J. Welsh. 

High Street Church.— T\iQ High street M. E. church was directly set 
off from the Centenary church in 1873 by Rev. L. C. Floyd, the veteran 
organizer and builder up of churches in the Wyoming conference. The 
first house of worship was built in 1873, and was located near the south 
end of High street. But this church, like the Tabernacle, enjoyed a 
remarkable growth during the early years of its history, and in 1890 



538 BINGHAMTON ITS SETTLEMENT, 

the society built a new and larger house of worship on land at the cor- 
ner of High street and Vestal avenue. It has a seating capacity for 
500 persons. The church membership is nearly 450. 

The succession of pastors is as follows: Revs. Joseph Hartwell, 
1873-76; J. B. Sumner, 1876-79; A. D. Alexander, 1879-82; W. J. 
Judd, 1882-85; O. L. Severson, 1885-88; W. L. Thorp, 1888-89; John 
Bradshaw, 1889-94; William G. Simpson, 1894-95; T. F. Hall, 1895- 
98; Henry H. Dresser, 1898. 

The officers of the church are Rev. H. H. Dresser, pastor; William 
Harris, Wm. A. Bullis and D. R. Pike, class leaders. The society 
trustees are F. Ball, E. E. Spoor, Harvey Jobson, I. N. Wilcox, Bert 
Stiles, Wm. A. Bullis, G. A. Everett, F. W. Powers and W. S. Rob- 
inson. 

Chenango Street CJinrch. — This church was organized from the Cen- 
tenary parent church in 1880, by Rev. L. C. Floyd, and was the second 
religious society to gain a foothold north of the railroads in the city. 
The brick house of worship was erected soon after the organization was 
perfected, and cost $4,600. The original members of the church num- 
bered about 100; the present membership is 360. Thus is indicated a 
steady and permanent growth. 

The succession of pastors is as follows: Revs. A. Brooks, 1880-81; 
M. E. Bramhall, 1881-82; A. D. Alexander, 1882-85; W. B. Kinney, 
1885-86; E. L. Bennett, 1886-91; W. J. Hill, 1891-94; John A. Faulk- 
ner, 1894-97; John F. Jones, 1897-98; I. N. Shipman, 1898—. 

The officers of the church are Rev. I. N. Shipman, pastor; E. O. 
Fuller, class leader. The trustees of the society are Marcus W. Scott, 
Adelbert Coffin, John E. Wentz, C. D. French, Edwin Benedict, Ira 
Decker, Arthur G. Wilson and P. M. Hummell. 

Oak Street Church. — An Oak street M. E. mission was established in 
1884, during Dr. Olin's time as presiding elder, but it was not until 
April, 1894, that the church was separately organized and made a dis- 
tinct charge under the pastoral care of Rev. W. R. Turner. A com- 
fortable house of worship was built and the church gradually increased 
in numbers and usefulness. Its present membership is 205. 

The pastors have been as follows: Revs. W. R. Turner, 1894-96; 
Charles Smith, 1896-99; J. B. Sumner, 1899-, the present pastor. 

Clinton Street Church. — In 1890 Lestershire and Clinton street were 
made a joint charge under the pastorate of Rev. L. B. Weeks. The M. 
E. churches at the places mentioned were established at that time, and 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 539 

houses of worship were provided for each body. In 1891 the charges 
were separated and Mr. Weeks became pastor of the Clinton street so- 
ciety. Both churches, however, were offshoots from the Tabernacle 
church. The present membership of the Clinton street church is 181 
persons. 

The pastors of the church have been as follows: Revs. L. B. Weeks, 
1890-92; J. W. Mevis, 1892-93; J. W. Nicholson, 1893-97; A. D. Decker, 
1897 — the present pastor. 

Fairviezv ClmrcJi. — In 1897 the Centenary church established a mis- 
sion and erected a house of worship in the eastern part of the city, in 
the locality known as Fairview. The mission was placed in charge of 
Rev. M. V. Williams, assistant pastor of the mother church. In 1898 
Fairview was made a distinct charge under the pastoral care of Mr. 
Williams. The present members number 195. 

The officers of the church are Rev. M. V. Williams, pastor; R. H. 
Whiting and S. F. Jones, class leaders. 

BAPTIST. 

First Baptist Churcli. — At a meeting held at the court house on June 
20, 1829, was gathered a handful of Baptist brethren who proposed to 
form a church society. Elder Michael Frederick was present and was 
chosen moderator, while Bildad Gleason was appointed '■^ dark of the 
day.'' Thus organized, the persons assembled proceeded to appoint a 
board of trustees to " manage the temporal affairs of the church" dur- 
ing the first year of its existence. The appointees were Abram Graves, 
John Congdon, Reuben Starkweather, Philander Coleand Jesse Orcutt. 

The foregoing data are taken from the articles of incorporation re- 
corded in Broome county clerk's office, June 22, 1829. By the declar- 
ation of the document the society became known as the "Chenango 
First Baptist church," and was so legally incorporated. At least ten 
years previous to the time indicated, and almost as far back as the day 
when Deacon John Congdon first came to live in the village and work 
for Colonel Lewis, the few Baptist families living in the vicinity were 
accustomed to meet for worship under his encouraging influence and 
direction. In 1827 an informal church organization was effected, the 
five original members being Deacon Congdon and his wife, his sisters 
Susan and Lois, and a Mrs. Kettle. This handful of devout worshipers 
held frequent meetings in the old Broome county court house, where 
the first communion was administered to twelve communicants by Elder 



540 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

Davis Dimmock, the first pastor of the little flock. On May 13, 1829, 
the church was duly recognized by the council having jurisdiction in 
this vicinity, and on June 20 the society was regularly incorporated 
under the name before mentioned — Chenango First Baptist church. 

From the very outset the church seemed to grow and flourish and to 
constantly increase in usefulness in the village; and it soon became 
necessary to build a suitable meeting house. Elder Frederick was hired 
to preach and minister to the spiritual wants of the members. He had 
previously served with the church at Great Bend, and was well suited 
to the task of building up the village church on a secure and lasting 
foundation. He was sent to New York and other places to secure funds 
with which to build a house of worship and during his absence Deacon 
Congdon generously provided for his family without expense to them. 
The deacon also gave the society a lot of land on Chenango street, 
whereon the first little meeting house was built, and whereon now 
stands the present splendid Baptist church edifice. The first building 
was completed in 1831, and thereafter was occupied by the society until 
1870, when it was replaced by a larger and more pretentious structure. 
However, long before 1870 the church had increased beyond the seating 
capacity of the old frame meeting house, and the building was twice 
enlarged, first in 1844 and again in 1851. The corner stone of the first 
brick edifice was laid July 19, 1870, and on March 6, 1872, the com- 
pleted structure was dedicated with appropriate services. 

On January 6, 1893, the Baptist church edifice was almost wholly 
destroyed by fire, but with commendable zeal the members of the church 
and congregation set themselves about the work of restoring the lost 
structure. Contributions to the building fund came freely and in sums 
varying from five to one thousand dollars, while one subscription was 
for $2,500. The pastor. Rev. Benjamin J. L. Herr, was of the great- 
est assistance in this work, contributing his entire time and also largely 
of his means. On examination it was found that the walls of the burned 
edifice were uninjured, hence on the lines of the old structure the new 
one was built up. The committee charged with the duty comprised C. 
D. Middlebrook, chairman; Stoddard Hammond, treasurer; C.B.Good- 
nough, secretary; William H. Wilkinson, Charles A. Wilkinson, Wat- 
son Curtis and Windom H. Eastwood. 

The present Baptist church edifice is one of the most complete 
and convenient structures of its kind in the city. It has a total 
seating for 1,200 persons. The total church membership is 756. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 541 

The pastors of the church with the years of their service, have been 
as follows:' Rev. Davis Dimtnock, 1836-37; Rev. Chauncey Darby, 
1844-49; Rev. C. A. Fox, 1849-51; Rev. S. M. Stimson, 1851-59; Rev. 
William V. Gardner, 1859-64; Rev. Charles Keyser, 1864-68; Rev. 
Lyman Wright, D. D., 1869-80; Rev. L. M. S. Haynes, D. D.,'l880- 
87; Rev. J. S. Swain, 1887-90; Rev. Benjamin L. Herr, 1890-96; Rev. 
John W. Phillips, D. D., April 1, 1896-99— (the present pastor.) 

The present deacons of the church are C. D. Middlebrook, N. H. 
Short (deceased), J. M. Gabriel, Stoddard Hammond, Silas C. Smith, 
Dexter D. Brown, William H. Wilkinson, E. H. Titchener, John A. 
Rider and H. C. Martin. 

The trustees of the society are William H. Wilkinson, C. D. Middle- 
brook, Stoddard Hammond, E. J. Lawrence, H. J. Rodman, E. R. 
Mason, Dr. I. A. Hix, E. G. Paige and W. J. Moon. 

Park Avenue Church. — In the spring of 1887 the First Baptist church 
society purchased a lot, built a chapel and established a mission Sunday 
school on Park avenue in the Fifth ward. In May, 1894, chiefly through 
the liberality of Alpheus B. and Mrs. Anna Ayers Corby, together with 
the earnest personal endeavor of Rev. F. J. Salmon, the mission be- 
came a regularly organized church society with twenty-four constituent 
members. In June following the mission Sunday school was discon- 
tinued and the Park avenue Baptist Sunday school was organized in its 
stead, with thirty-six members under the superintendence of Charles 
E. Bliss. 

During the five years of its history the church has increased in mem- 
bership to a total of 284, the present actual number being 3'^0. Twice 
during this period it has been found necessary to enlarge the house of 
worship to afford seating room for the growing congregation, and much 
of the credit for this gratifying condition of affairs is due to the first and 
only pastor — Rev. Frank J. Salmon. In the spring of 1895 Mr, and 
Mrs. Corby purchased a lot north of the church edifice and built there- 
on a comfortable parsonage. In many ways this worthy couple have 
worked and given for the welfare of the church, and largely through 
their munificence the society is free from debt. 

The present officers of the church are Rev. Frank J. Salmon, pastor; 

'In addition to the succession of pastorates it is well to note the names of the more im- 
portant supply ministers who have officiated in the pulpit of the church. Among them may be 
mentioned the names of Jason Corwin, 1833; Henry Robertson, 1835; William Storrs, 183?; Cory- 
don H. Slater, 1838; Stephen Wilkins and James M. Coley, 1838; A. P. Mason, 1843; George Bal- 
com, 1868; J. V. Osterhout, 1879; C. B. Perkins, assosiate pastor, 1879. 



542 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

A. B. Corby, W. C. Brink, Charles E. Bliss and George Stone, deacons. 
The trustees of the society are Albert Self, Reuben Smith, G. Arthur 
Adams and John F. Conner. 

Main Street Baptist Church. — In 1887 the First Baptist church felt 
the necessity of extending its denominational work, and accordingly 
appointed a committee to procure a desirable location for a mission. 
Land west of the city was purchased and a chapel building was erected 
thereon. It was dedicated July 1, 1888, and the mission was supplied 
until March, 1889, when Rev. Edward A. Johnson was engaged as offi- 
ciating minister. On September 3, 1889, the Memorial Baptist church 
was duly organized with ninety-seven members, of whom eighty -two 
came from the mother church. On October 3, 1889, the church was 
recognized, and in August, 1892, the mission chapel was removed to 
the corner of Main and Chestnut streets. In May, 1896, the " Memo- 
rial " was dropped, and the name Main street Baptist church was adopted 
in its stead. 

The church now has a membership of 225 persons, and is self-sup- 
porting. Pastor Johnson severed his connection with the church Janu- 
ary 1, 1891, and was succeeded in July following by Rev. F. A. Heath. 
The latter remained to August 1, 1893, and in October was followed by 
Rev. F. H. Cooper. The present pastor. Rev. L. M. S. Haynes, D.D., 
came to the church in the early part of 1899. 

The deacons of the church are J. Bartoo, O. P. Bradley, C. M. Brad- 
ley, F. L. Morton, A. F, Mann and C. M. French. The society trus- 
tees are A. H. Thompson, R. W. Bowen, Theo. A. White, W. F. Hulse 
and W. W. Whitaker. 

Conklin Avenue Church. — The Conklin Avenue Baptist church was 
organized in 1891 with an original membership of less than fifty per- 
sons. In the same year a house of worship was erected, with a seating 
capacity for about 300 persons, and at a cost of about $4,000. The 
present members number about 204 persons. 

The pastors in succession have been as follows: Rev. A. B. Mc- 
Lauren, 1891-92; Rev. Charles C. Maxfield, 1892-96; Rev, Depugh 
Griffiths, October, 1896-99. 

The officers of the church are Rev. Depugh Griffiths, pastor; H. C. 
Lacy, Charles R. Forward, George Boyce and Ernest J Merrill, dea- 
cons. The trustees of the society are C. H. Lacy, James E. Whitbeck, 
E. J. Merrill, H. P. Fancher, H. D. Richards, W. I. Mosher, Frank E. 
Church and Charles A. Rogfers. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 513 

Calvary Baptist Chirch. — This church was the outgrowth of a series 
of meetings conducted by Rev. Stephen Hancock, of the Baptist church 
at Port Dickinson. The meetings were held in a hall on North Che- 
nango street and in 1893 a society organization was perfected in accord- 
ance with a generally expressed desire that such action be taken. Just 
one year later, in September, 1894, a neat frame church edifice was 
completed and dedicated. Its seating capacity is about 300. Mr. 
Hancock was called as the first pastor, and served in that capacity until 
June, 1898, when he was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. T. S. 
Leonard. The church has a present membership of 205 persons. 

The deacons of the church are George Goodnough, G. E. Scudder 
Wylie Salisbury, Henry Hamlin, Earl A. Goodrich, Curtis C. Eggles- 
ton and J. W. Gurney. The trustees of the society are F. O. Merrill, 
Frank Stearns, Henry Hamlin, sr., N. Edgcomb, George Moffatt and 
Wilson Martin. 

CONGREGATIONAL. 

Tlie First Church.^ — The First Congregational church of Binghamton 
was organized by Rev. John Starkweather, in the old court house, Sep- 
tember 25, 1836, at which time nineteen persons entered into covenant. 
The Lord's supper was administered for the first time on the second 
Sabbath in November, 1836, when there was an accession of ten per- 
sons. 

On October 5, 1836, the church was incorporated under the name of 
"The Congregational Church and Society of the Village of Bingham- 
ton." This action was taken at a meeting of the " male members " of 
the church held in the court house (the place of worship of the society) 
on the date mentioned. Zenas Pratt and Hamilton Collier were chosen 
to preside. The trustees then elected were Stephen Weed, William H. 
Pratt and Zenas Pratt. The articles of incorporation were recorded 
October 24, 1836. 

Meetings were held in the court house until December 22, 1837, when 
a church edifice on Chenango street, a little south of the present site of 
the First Presbyterian church, was dedicated and occupied. The edifice 
was subsequently enlarged, and for more than a quarter of a century it 
was the center of the life of the church. Daring this period the church 
enjoyed the official services of eight different ministers, the last of whom 
was the now prominent Dr. Arthur T. Pierson, then just entering the 

» Compiled chiefly from the Church Manual of 1894. 



544 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

ministry. The close of this period is marked by the sale of the church 
building in 1863, occasioned by financial embarrassment in which the 
society had become involved. At that time the continued existence of 
the church seemed almost impossible. A council of Congregational 
churches was called to consider the situation, with the result that it was 
determined to build on the west side of the Chenango river. Accord- 
ingly a chapel was built on the present site, and was dedicated in the 
autumn of 1863. 

In 1867 the foundations of the present church edifice were laid, and 
on August 17, 1869, the completed structure was dedicated with appro- 
priate services. The building cost more than $50,000, and was one of 
the largest church edifices in the city; but notwithstanding that the 
congregation so increased during the succeeding ten years that it be- 
came necessary to enlarge the seating capacity of the auditorium and 
also to erect a chapel building on the west end of the church edifice 
proper. These additions and improvements cost about $37,000. The 
edifice in its present form was dedicated February 24, 1885. 

This has always been a Congregational church, although for twelve 
years in its early history (1839-51) it was connected with the Presby- 
tery of Tioga, upon the so-called "plan of union." In September, 
1851, it withdrew from that body and united with the Susquehanna as- 
sociation of Congregational ministers and churches, with which it still 
holds connection. 

The First Congregational church is one of the largest and most influ- 
ential religious bodies in the city. It began its history in 1836 with 
only nineteen constituent members, and notwithstanding all the embar- 
rassments and vicissitudes of later years, it has continued to grow in 
strength to a present membership of 700 persons, while the total num- 
ber recieved into membership exceeds 1,400 persons. 

The pastors of the church have been as follows: Rev. John Stark- 
weather, September, 183G-January, 1838; Rev. Arthur Burtis, Decem- 
ber, 1838-September, 1839; Rev. Samuel W. Bush, October, 1839-Feb- 
ruary, 1844; Rev. Samuel W. Brace, April, 1844-August, 1846; Rev. 
Dennis Piatt, September, 1846-November, 1852; Rev. Chester Fitch, 
March, 1853-February, 1858; J.D. Mitchell, December, 1858-May, 1860; 
Rev. Arthur T. Pierson, D.D., August, 1860-July, 1863; Rev. Horace 
Winslow, September, 1863-November, 1866; Rev. Edward Taylor, 
D.D., March, 1868-November, 1876; Rev. Eben Halley, D.D., March, 
1878-October, 1886; Rev. Herman C. Riggs, D.D., December, 1886- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 545 

November, 1890; Rev. William B. Thorp, October, 1891-April 14, 
1899; Rev. Nacy McGee Waters, September, 17, 1899— the present 
pastor. 

The present trustees of the church are Joseph P. Noyes, chairman, 
Julius E. Rogers, Henry A. Goff, James W. Sturtevant, Israel T. Deyo, 
W. H. Parsons and W. D. Cady. 

Plymouth Church. — In April, 1888, Judge Edwards, of the First 
church, organized a branch Bible school in the upper part of the First 
ward, and in the same year a building was erected for it by the mother 
church at the corner of Lydia and Mygatt streets. On March 27, 1890, 
a church was regularly organized, thus showing that the seed sown by 
Judge Edwards fell in fertile soil. On January 21, 1892, the church 
removed to its present site at the corner of Oak and Lydia streets. 

Plymouth church has enjoyed a rapid growth and has been a great 
benefit to the portion of the city in which it is situated. It is not entirely 
self-sustaining and derives partial support from the First church. The 
value of church property, including parsonage, is estimated at $11,000. 
The present members number 340 persons. 

The pastors of the church have been as follows: Rev. W.H. Kephart, 
1890-96, and Rev. Thomas Clayton, 1897-99, the latter being the pres- 
ent pastor. 

The deacons are James Van Valkenburgh, Alexander B. Carman, 
John W. Calkins, William Caldwell and Harold Wightman. The trus- 
tees are Wm. F, Knox, John W. Gary, Myron W. Lyons, Henry H. 
Cole, A. B. Carman and Jesse C. Hillis. 

ROMAN CATHOLIC. 

St. Patrick's Church. — In 1834 Rev. Dr. Hurley, a clergyman of the 
Roman Catholic church, visited Binghamton to perform the marriage 
ceremony of the daughter of General Waterman with a Catholic gentle- 
man. In 1835 the first Catholic family settled in Binghamton and by 
permission of the bishop of Philadelphia they were occasionally visited 
by Rev. Mr. Wainright, of Pottsville, who said masses under a canopy 
erected on an open lawn. Benches were placed around the canopy and 
the altar and were well filled with visitors of all denominations. In the 
course of a few years several other Catholic families moved into the 
village, while still others were scattered among the neighboring towns. 
It was then proposed, during the missionary labors of Father Wain- 
wright, to secure a site and erect thereon a small church edifice. 5 For 

35 



546 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

this purpose General Waterman offered land on Oak street and also 
tendered his services in raising a building fund by subscription. The lot 
offered was not deemed well situated for the proposed use, hence land 
on Le Roy street was selected. The most influental residents of the 
village, regardless of religious preference, contributed to the building 
fund, and among them may be recalled the names of General Water- 
man, General Whitney, Judge Bosworth, Daniel S. Dickinson, John A. 
Collier and others. A respectable fund having been raised, a contract 
for building was made with Ross Esterbrook; and in 1838 St. John's 
church was completed and dedicated, the ceremony being performed by 
Rt. Rev. Bishop Hughes, archbishop of New York. 

After this the mission was quite regularly supplied, among the priests 
sent here being Rev. Mr. Bacon, afterward bishop of Vermont, Rev. 
Father Beacham and Rev. John V. O'Reilley, the latter being more than 
ordinarily prominent by reason of his uncompromising opposition to the 
liquor traffic, and also by reason of his strong influence with his parish- 
ioners. In 1843 Rev. Father A.Doyle was sent to the Binghamton mis- 
sion, and one year later was followed by Rev. John Sheridan. The 
latter was sent to Owego in 1847, and was succeeded by Rev. James F. 
Hourigan, whose missionary and pastoral labors in this field covered a 
period of nearly half a century. 

When Father Hourigan came to Binghamton he found the church 
property heavily incumbered with debt, but with commendable energy 
he succeeded in paying both interest and principal and also purchased 
for the parish a considerable tract of land adjoining the church. On 
this tract the good priest afterward built a parochial residence, St. 
James' school, St. Patrick's church and St. Joseph's convent. He also 
purchased land west of the village and laid out the present Catholic 
cemetery. 

At length, however, St. John's church became too small for the 
rapidly growing congregation, therefore Father Hourigan took the first 
steps that resulted in the erection of St. Patrick's church, at a cost of 
$170,000. The edifice was dedicated September 23, 1873. To make 
room for the structure St. John's church was removed to Oak street, 
while the building previously occupied as St. James' school was removed 
to a lot on Le Roy street, west of Oak street. 

Father Hourigan remained pastor of St. Patrick's to the time of his 
death, Sunday, October 30, 1892. For nearly a score of years previous 
to that sad event Rev, Nicholas J. Ouinn had served as assistant pastor 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 547 

to the venerable priest, but soon after the death of the latter Father 
Quinn was appointed to St. Patrick's, of Utica, and Rev. John J. Mc- 
Donald was made pastor of St. Patrick's of this city. Father Mc- 
Donald's present assistant is Rev. J. P. Foy. 

SL Mar/s Church. — This parish was organized in 1887 at a meeting- 
held in the upper part of a store building on South State street, by Rev. 
Father John J. Brennan. Soon afterward a purchase was made of the 
old skating rink property on the " north side," on Chenang ) street near 
Prospect avenue. The building was prepared for its new occupancy 
and was thereafter used for the services of the church until the comple- 
tion of the beautiful St. Mary's edifice at the corner of Court and Fay- 
ette streets. The new'structure was erected in 1892 and '93, and was 
dedicated by Bishop Ludden in June of the latter year. The building 
is of brick, with Oxford blue stone basement and trimmings, and from 
an architectural standpoint is one of the most attractive buildings of its 
kind in the city. It cost about $100,000. The church organ, with 
electrical attachments and other modern improvements, was constructed 
by Frank Beman, of this city, and cost about $8,000. 

Father Brennan was the first priest in charge of St. Mary's and served 
in that capacity until 1893, when he was succeeded by Rev. Martin J. 
Hughes. Rev. William J. Dwyer was assistant to Father Brennan, and 
after the latter was called from the parish the assistant for a time suc- 
ceeded to the place. Father Dwyer was here about three years and 
was followed by Rev. Joseph Lechner. The latter was succeeded in 
June, 1893, by Rev. John J. Higgins, the present assistant of St. Mary's. 
In the parish are about 300 Catholic families. 

St. Paul's Chiirch. — The parish of St. Paul's was organized June 16, 
189G, and included that part of the city commonly known as the north 
side. Rev. John Vincent Simmons, formerly of the Church of the Im- 
maculate Conception at Pompey Hill, was appointed to the work of 
building up the new parish and looking to the spiritual welfare of its 
families; and his work has beea well and faithfully done. The parish 
contains about 300 Catholic families, who attend services in the rink 
property on Chenango street, formerly St. Mary's church. 

UNIVERSALIST. 

The First Church.— K^ early as 1835 or '40 a Universalist society was 
in existence in the village of Binghamton, and services were held in the 
court house. On April 17, 1843, at a meeting of the society the church 



548 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

was regularly incorporated under the name "The First Universalist 
Society of Binghamton." Rev. William M. De Long (an early minis- 
ter of the church) and Christopher Wood were chosen to preside, and 
Jesse Richards, William Ogden and Benjamin Green were elected trus- 
tees. About this time a house of worship was erected on the court house 
square. It was a plain white frame structure, and stood nearly opposite 
the present Church of the Messiah. The society, however, was never 
strong and passed out of existence about 1860. The meeting house 
was afterward occupied by the Free Methodist society but was event- 
ually destroyed by fire. 

Church of the Messiah. — From the time of the dissolution of the so- 
ciety above mentioned until the summer of 1890 Universalism was dor- 
mant in Binghamton, but in the year mentioned an entirely new society 
was organized. A lot at the corner of Exchange street and Congdon 
place was purchased and thereon was erected a plain though comfort- 
able house of worship, with a seating capacity for about 175 persons. 
The present membership of the church is about 120 persons. On June 
1, 1890, Rev. James P. Curtiss was called to the pastorate, and served 
in that capacity until March 14, 1892, when he was succeeded by Rev. 
Marion C. Yager, whose pastorate began May 20, 1892, and ended De- 
cember 29, 1896. Rev. Anson B. Curtis, Ph. D., the present pastor, 
was called and began his official connection with the church January 1, 
1897. 

The present officers of the church are Rev. A. B. Curtis, pastor; L. 
W. Derby and A. G. Avery, deacons. The trustees of the society are 
P. W. Beebe, Loring W. Derby, Charles Taylor, Herman Doughty and 
Cortland Wilber. 

COLORED CHURCHES. 

A.M. E. Bethel Church. — The society of the African Methodist Epis- 
copal Bethel church dates back in its history to about the year 1835, 
but the formal organization was not effected until May 14, 1838, when 
a meeting for that purpose was held at the house of Peter Potter, where 
the members were accustomed to hold services. On the date men- 
tioned Charles A. Spicer and Fortune Simpson presided, and Peter 
Potter, Fortune Simpson, Reuben Simpson and Samuel Barrett were 
chosen as trustees. 

The original members of the church were Fortune and Susan Simp- 
son, Peter and Jane Potter, Harry and Anna Sampson, John and Bet- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 549 

sey Davis, Thomas Davis, Peter Mercer, Henry and Kate Sampson, 
Mary Potter, "Grandfather" Frank, Reuben Simpson, Mary Smith. 
Samuel Cruser, Samuel Barrett, Henry and Mary Nichols, William 
Robinson, Isaac and Phyllis Loxen, Robert Daniels, Sophia Nichols, 
Charles Hawkins, Mary Jane Peterson, George Stansbury, a local 
preacher, Susan Stansbury and John Mercer, a local preacher. 

The first pastor, Rev. Charles Spicer, secured a lot on Tudor street, 
on which the first meeting house was built. The structure, however, 
was burned in 1843, after which Major Hawley gave to the society a lot 
on Susquehanna street, whereon a new house of worship was built, and 
is still occupied by the society. It was erected in 1844, and was dedi- 
cated in the fall of 1845. 

Bethel church has always maintained an existence although at times 
the membership has been small ; and for many years it has drawn par- 
tial support from the other Evangelical churches of the city. The 
present membership is only twenty-two persons. The pastors of the 
church since its organization, with dates of appointment, have been as 
follows: Revs. Charles Spicer, 1840; Thomas W. Jackson, 1845; 
"Father" Herman, 1851; J. Turner, 1852; Charles Birch, 1853-54; 
Mr. Thompson, 1855-56; T. M. D. Ward, 1857; Elder Parker, 1858- 
59; E. B. Davis, 1860; Jonathan Hamilton, 1861; Joseph Nelson, 1862- 
63; Mr. Thompson, 1864-65; J. Hamilton, 1866; Wm. Johnson, 1867- 
68; W. Peterson, 1869; George Mills, 1870; Charles Peterson, 1871; 
John Frisbee, 1872; Richard Titus, 1873-76; J. C. Lodge, 1877; B. F. 
Aldrich, 1878; J. H. Nichols, 1879; Rollins Lawrence, 1880; J. H. 
Nichols, 1881; Caleb Woodyard, 1882-84; L. W. Williams, 1885; J. L. 
Hamilton, 1886-87; Dr. Hamilton, of England, 1888; Mr. Johnson, 
1889; T. J. Jackson, 1890; Walter Grayson, 1891; G. C. Cohen, 1892; 
James Nichols, 1893; W. B. G. Coster, 1894-95; Miles J. Coster, J. C. 
Ayler, D, D., 1896; W. J. Johnson, 1897-98; J. B. Hill, 1899. 

Zion Church. — "The first colored M. E. Zion chapel " was incorpo- 
rated in pursuance of a meeting held at the house of Thomas Bell, July 
31, 1838. Rev. Henry Johnson, the minister of the church, presided 
and Joseph Mitchell, Henry Nichols, Thomas Bell, Josiah Hudson, 
William Cornish and Thomas Clark were chosen as the first board of 
trustees. Silas Stockbridge also was one of the incorporators. The 
society, however, had an informal organization as early as 1836, under 
the charge of Rev. Henry Johnson, the first pastor. The meeting 
house on Whitney street was built in 1840, and was rebuilt in 1874. Its 
seating capacity is 450. 



550 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

Zion church is a substantial organization and is practically self-sus- 
taining, although the other city churches have taken a friendly interest 
in its welfare and have given it assistance. Its present membership is 
sixty-three persons. The present pastor is Elder Anderson, but the 
succession of pastors is not obtainable at this time. 

FREE METHODIST. 

The First Free Methodist Church of Binghamton was organized in 
1862, with ten members under the pastoral charge of Rev. B. T. 
Roberts. The first meetings were held in the Universalist house of wor- 
ship that stood on the court house square, facing Exchange street. In 
March, 1867, the society purchased the meeting house formerly owned by 
the Sejond Methodist Episcopal society, at the corner of Court and Car- 
roll streets, paying therefor $3,600. The society, however, became 
seriously burdened with debt, resulting in the sale of the meeting house. 
In 1879 land on Rutherford street was purchased and a comfortable 
house of worship was built thereon. The present members number 
about 36 persons. 

The pastors of the church in succession have been as follows: Revs. 
Daniel M. Sinclair, 1862-63; Benjamin F. Stoutenburg, 1864; M. N. 
Downing, 1865-66; J. B. Freeland, 1867-68; W. Gould, 1869; J. T. 
James, 1870; C. H. Southworth, 1871; B. Winget, 1872-73; E. P. Sel- 
lew, 1874-75; J. B. Freeland, 1876; B. Winget, 1877; J. B. Freeland, 
1878; J. Odell, 1879; J. D. Osman, 1880-81; Z. Osborn, 1882-83; M.N. 
Downing, 1884-85 ;W. H. Clark, 1886-87; M. N. Downing and B. Win- 
get, 1889; O. M.Owen, 1890-91 ; T.Whiffen, 1892-93 ; M. D. McDougall, 
1894; D. J. Santmire, 1895-96; O. N. Frink, 1897; Willett J. Riker, 
1898-99. 

The present officers of the church are Rev. W. J. Riker, pastor; 
Oliver Winsor, class leader. The trustees of the society are William 
Sullivan, Peter Van Dyke and Albert Stearns. 

GERMAN. 

Emanuel Church. — At the annual conference of the Evangelical as- 
sociation held at Syracuse in 1878, the bishop presiding informed Rev. 
John Reuber that the city of Binghamton contained many German 
families of their faith who were without either organization or place of 
worship. Soon after that time Mr. Reuber, who was pastor of a church 
in Syracuse, came to this city and began missionary services that ulti- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 551 

mately led to the present substantial church organization. The first 
meetings were held in the Y. M. C. A. hall, and were so continued un- 
til the erection of the present chnrch edifice in 1884. 

On March 29, 1879, a church organization was perfected with 24 con- 
stituent members, under the pastoral care of Rev. Jacob Vosseler. The 
church was incorporated November 12, 1880, and in the next year the 
society purchased a large lot of land on Front street, on which the 
church edifice now stands. The land cost $2,180. The house of wor- 
ship was built in 1884, at a cost of $10,000, and was dedicated by Bishop 
Esher on October 15, of that year. The church now numbers 9G 
members. 

The succession of pastors of the church is as follows: Rev. Jacob 
Vosseler, 1879-80; Rev. J. Reuber, 1880-83; Rev. C. F. Schoepflin, 
1883-85; Rev. L. Heinmiller, 1885-86; Rev. Adolph Leuscher, 1886- 
89; Rev. F. J. Hehr, 1889-92; Rev, J. Burkhardt, 1892-95; Rev. H. 
Koch, 1895-99; Rev. Daniel Miller, April 1899. 

The present officers of the church are Rev. Daniel Miller, pastor; 
John Brenner, class leader; Louis Schantz, exhorter. 

Evangelical Lutheran CJmrcJi. — The English Evangelical Lutheran 
church of the Redeemer was founded in this city. May 5, 1889, by Dr. 
T. B. Roth, now president of Thiel college, Greenville, Pa. The orig- 
inal members numbered 42; the present church membership is 130. For 
several years the society held services in the old Iron hall on State 
street, but on July 5, 1894, the church edifice at the corner of Washing- 
ton and Stuart streets was finished and consecrated. The entire prop- 
erty is valued at $13,000. 

The pastors of the church have been as follows: Rev. Joseph Stump, 
June-July, 1889; Rev, J. B. Deck, December, 1889-March, 1890; Rev. 
William F. Bacher, June, 1890-June, 1897; Rev. Milton J. Bieber, June 
1, 1897 — . Mr. Bieber came to this city from Trinity Lutheran church, 
of Mt. Joy, Pa. He also has a parish at Great Bend, and in Septem- 
ber, 1808, he established a Lutheran church in Elmira. 

ADVENTISTS. 

Seventh Day Advent Church — This society was incorporated June 
14, 1877, with S. M. Cobb, William A. Wentworth and Christopher C. 
Nichols as its first trustees. The society held meetings in the dwellings 
of its members until 1896, when a little plain frame meeting house was 
built on Pennsylvania avenue. In membership the church never has 



553 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

been strong, yet its people have held firmly together, and by liberal 
contributions of time and labor succeeding in erecting the house of 
worship. This devoted band observes Saturday as the Lord's day, 
while on Sunday regular secular pursuits are followed. Indeed the 
meeting house was chiefly built on the day we call ^Sunday. The entire 
membership numbers hardly more than thirty-five persons, hence a reg- 
ular pastor cannot be supported. 

CHRISTIAN. 

The First CJiristian ChiircJi of Binghamton was organized July 25, 
1880, with sixteen constituent members. The incorporation was effected 
August 14, 1883, with Asa La Barron, Daniel Wilson and Ira Bedell as 
the first board of trustees. The first house of worship was built in the 
early part of 1882, at a cost of $1, 183. 17, and was dedicated August 26 of 
the same year. The present church edifice was erected in the summer of 
1889, at a cost of $2,396,88, and was dedicated September 15 of that year. 
The church now has sixty-seven members. The deacons are Hiram 
Martin, S. P. Holland and J. H. Van Atta. The trustees of the society 
are S. P. Holland, L. Terpenning and J. H. Van Atta. 

The pastors of the church have been as follows: Rev. A. J.Welton, 
1880-88; Rev. M. W. Borthwick, 1888-90; Rev. T. V. Moore, January- 
April, 1891; Rev. Charles McGlauflin, 1891-93; Rev. H. J. Rhodes, 
1893-94; Rev. T. V. Moore, 1894-95; Rev. E. C. McCord, 1895-99; Rev. 
Orlando I. Hathaway, January 1899 — the present pastor. 

JEWISH. 

Sons of Israel. — This church was regularly incorporated June 17, 1887. 
The members held services in a hall on Water street more than ten years. 
In 1899 a neat house of worship was built on Water street, at a cost of 
about $4, 000. The church is without a regular pastoral head, yet services 
are held regularly. During its history several persons have officiated as 
rabbi. The late Louis Ginsberg served in that capacity four years pre- 
vious to his tragic death in the summer of 1899. The church has about 
fifty members. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 553 



CHAPTER XXIII. 
CEMETERIES. 

Tradition has it that the first burial place in the village was located 
on a part of the court house hill, and that in 1803 Benjamin Sawtell and 
William Woodruff then cleared a space of ground sufficient for the 
burial of John Crosby, who was an early settler in the vicinity. After 
that time burials on the hill were frequent, but after the several church 
societies had secured their meeting house lands the churchyard of each 
denomination was the customary burial place for members and attend- 
ants. Between 1835 and 1840 the court house square was graded, but 
previous to the performance of the work nearly all the remains had been 
removed. 

According to the map showing the general situation of this region in 
1797, and old graveyard was located on the south bank of the Susque- 
hanna, east of the mouth of Scutt's creek, but when and by whom laid 
out we have no present knowledge. It probably was started by the 
earliest settlers and squatters, who chose that convenient spot as the last 
resting place of their dead. The Indian occupants of the region evi- 
dently had no special burial place in this vicinity, as in various locali- 
ties bordering on the rivers the bones of their dead were frequently 
found when the first cellars were excavated for business blocks and 
dwellings. Such discoveries were numerous along Washington street, 
also on the high lands near the confluence of the rivers, while scattered 
fragments of bones were occasionally found on Court street and on the 
west side of the Chenango. 

The Village Cemetery. — Soon after the village was incorporated the 
trustees began discussing the question of a public cemetery, and on 
August 16, 1841, they purchased of Cary Murdock and Joseph S. Bos- 
worth a five acre tract of land on the north boundary of the corpora- 
tion. After the plot was regularly surveyed and laid out it was desig- 
nated " Binghamton cemetery." It was thus maintained at the public 
expense until the village became a city, and was afterward known as 
the " City cemetery." Lots were sold to applicants and a sexton was 



554 BINGHAMTON ITS SETTLEMENT. 

regularly appointed to care for the grounds. The first burial in this 
"silent city of the dead " was that of Charles Frederick Whitney (son 
of Virgil Whitney) who died December 8, 1844. 

In the course of time many of the bodies buried in the church yards 
were reinterred in the village cemetery, or in Spring Forest cemetery, 
the latter having been laid out in 1853. At length, however, the old 
cemetery, bounded by Eldridge, Cemetery (now Emmett) and Liberty 
streets, became filled with graves, hence further burials were stopped. 
At a still later date it was proposed to remove all the bodies from the 
the tract, reinter them in other cemeteries, and convert the lands into 
a public park; but on investigation it was found that this could not be 
legally accomplished without much expense and delay, hence the sub- 
ject was dropped. The old cemetery now is insufficiently cared for by 
the city authorities, and very little is done in the way of ornamentation 
by lot owners. 

Spring Forest Cemetery Association was organized at a meeting of 
citizens held at the office of Hotchkiss & Seymour, December G, 1853, 
and was incorporated December 18, following. The first trustees were 
Edward Tompkins, Edward Z. Lewis, Edwin Eldridge, John J. You- 
mans, Martin Stone, John E. Sampson, Philo B. Stillson, Giles W. 
Hotchkiss and Tracy R. Morgan. The first officers were Rev. Edward 
Z. Lewis, president; Lewis Seymour, secretary, and Tracy R. Morgan, 
treasurer. 

The cemetery tract contains 42.7 acres of land and is beautifully 
situated in the northwestern part of the city. The first burial was that 
of the wife of the late Azariah C. Angel. During the period of its exist- 
ence about 1,500 lots have been sold, while the burials aggregate about 
four or five times that number. 

The succession of presidents of the association has been as follows. 
Rev. Edward Z. Lewis, Horace S. Griswold, Erasmus D. Robinson, 
Robert Brown and Edward K. Clark, the latter having been elected 
May 10, 1895. The secretaries have been Lewis Seymour, Benjamin 
De Voe and Lew^is Seymour, the latter a son of the first secretary. The 
treasurers have been Tracy R. Morgan, 1853-78; Byron Marks, 1878- 
79; Alonzo C. Matthews, 1879-99. 

The present trustees of the association are Alonzo C. Matthews, L. 
Coe Young, Edward K. Clark, William F. Lentz, J. E. Shapley, 
Thomas D. Fuller, Fred. Bennett, H. Austin Bump and Lewis Sey- 
mour. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 555 

Glenwood Cemetery Association was incorporated June 19, 1875, with 
trustees as follows: Morgan L. Barnes, Eli S Meeker, Charles O. Wat- 
rous, Loren J. Payne, Newton M. Hulburt, Uriel Parker and Obadiah 
Z, Brown. 

Glenwood cemetery is a beautifully situated tract of land in the ex- 
treme northwest part of the city, and includes about GO acres of land. 
The history of the association has been a continued record of progress. 
The latest president of the association was Rev. Samuel Dunham, but 
the office is now vacant. The other officers are Joseph P. Noyes, vice- 
president, and Stephen D. Wilbur, secretary and treasurer. The pres- 
ent trustees are Joseph P. Noyes, Alfred J. Inloes, Homer B. Boss, 
William H. Stilwell, Julius O. Dunning and Newton M. Hulburt. 

Floral Park Cemetery Association was incorporated October 26, 1891, 
by James K. Welden, Cyrus vStrong, Jefferson Kingman, Horace H. 
Crary, Cornelius H. Ackerman, Henry C. Hermans, William J. Welsh, 
Cyrus Strong, jr., and Harry F. Turner. The incorporators (with John 
Evans in place of Harry F. Turner) constituted the first board of trus- 
tees. The first officers were James K. Welden, president, Cyrus Strong, 
vice-president, Jefferson Kingman, treasurer, and Harry F. Turner, 
secretary. 

In 1891 the association purchased from Cyrus Strong, jr., 50 acres of 
the Villa park tract on the western border of the city, and there Floral 
Park cemetery was laid out and opened. A convenient chapel is one of 
the interesting features of the cemetery. 

The association has been in existence less than ten years, yet during 
that time its trustees have elected four presidents, all of whom are 
now dead. At present the office is vacant. These presidents were 
James K. Welden, Cyrus Strong, Horace H. Crary and Edward L. 
Rose. The present officers are Cornelius H. Ackerman, vice-presi- 
dent; Jefferson Kingman, treasurer, and W. A. Johnson, secretary. 



556 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 
THE WAR OF 1861-65. 

On the eventful morning in April, 1861, Moultrie's guns were trained 
on Fort Sumter, and with that boom of cannon civil war in the United 
States was proclaimed throughout the world ; the south was arrayed 
against the north in a strife that cost millions of money, hundreds of 
thousands of human lives, and untold suffering followed in the wake of 
battle. 

For many years previous to 1860 strong antagonism between two 
sentiments had existed in this country ; the south was the avowed enemy 
of the free paid labor of the north, and the north of the slave labor of 
the south. Advocates f both principles were earnest and determined, 
and their respective views were enlarged and extended until the re- 
motest corners of our territorial limits became impregnated with the 
prevailing ideas. The political contest of 1860 was both fevered and 
exciting, for never before had so much depended upon the ballot. 
There were numerous murmurings of a significant character and prepa- 
rations which carried alarm to a nation which had devoted all her en- 
ergies to the fruitful arts of peace. Then followed an assault on the 
integrity of the ballot and the expressed will of the majority, which, if 
successful, must of necessity destroy our republican form of govern- 
ment. The voice of reason was lost in the thunder of cannon, and the 
question was: Shall liberty and imion walk no longer hand in hand, 
and if either is to go out, which? 

Then how sudden the transformation of the peaceful citizen into the 
armed and uniformed soldier! Almost every citizen realized that it 
was his duty to be loyal in his service to the country, and volunteers were 
furnished from every state, county and town in the great north. Loyal 
men only knew that they were needed and they hastened to respond; 
they exchanged the rippling music of the hillside stream for the thunder 
of the deep-mouthed cannon and the deafening musketry volley. It 
was not with them a question what battles were to be fought, what 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 557 

graves filled, or what altars shivered; the spirit of secession must be 
buried and breathe its last amid shrieking shell and hissing bullet. 

Broome county was no exception to the rule and freely gave her sons 
whose blood crimsoned the soil of a hundred battlefields. They fell as 
heroes fall, a sacrifice to union, liberty and freedom ; and the mothers 
who gave these sons displayed a heroism which has been the admira- 
tion of the world, equal to that of the Spartan mothers in their unself- 
ish sacrifice of household idols. The hardships of a soldier's life, suf- 
fering from wounds and disease and the surrendering of young lives, pre- 
sents a chapter of patriotism that warms the heart of every true Amer- 
ican, but the weeks and months and years that came and passed, when 
father, mother, wife, sister and brother waited in their homes when 
the heart stood still as the stranger came to the door; when the hands 
trembled as the message was opened; and when in hushed words they 
wondered if the wound would kill or had killed the soldier boy in whom 
they had such hope. When we reflect on all the scenes we can only 
doubt who suffered most when the shadows of war darkened our fair 
land. 

During the period of the war there was furnished to the Union array 
a grand total of 2,867,345 men, of which this state contributed 484,260, 
and Broome county a total of probably of 4,000 men, though not by 
any record extant can the number be accurately determined. Careful 
computations have been made, state, county and town records have 
been examined, and individual eflfort has been brought to bear, yet the 
results attained are unsatisfactory. From published muster rolls the 
the names of more than 3,000 of the county's soldiery have been ob- 
tained, but at best the record is incomplete.' 

Almost every regiment in the service from the state has a published 
and widely circulated history, recounting at length the trials and hard- 
ships, successes and reverses of its troops at the front, in camp and on 
the field of battle, where so many of Broome's patriot dead lie in eter- 
nal sleep 'neath the southern sun. Indeed, it seems not right to tell 
the story in its entirety again, nor revive in the breasts of now aged 
parents, beloved brothers and sisters, or perhaps ever mourning chil- 
dren fresh memories of the dust which feeds the wild flowers at Chan- 
cellorsville, Antietam, South Mountain, Fredericksburg, Spottsylvania, 

> Previous to July 2, 1863, the state kept no acount of localities of troops furnished, and when 
quotas were assigned for drafting they were constantly modified. Were it possible to collate the 
reports of provost-marshals throughout the state, more than 150,000 men would be unaccounted 
for. 



558 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

the Wilderness, Gettysburg, Petersburg and a hundred other battle- 
fields of the south. But say what we may of the success of the Union 
arms, we cannot and we need not recount the awful sufferings of 
Broome's sons in the loathsome pens at Andersonville, Salisbury, 
Libby and jBelle Isle where thousands of brave men wait the final 
reveille. 

As near as can be determined at this time, Broome county sent into 
the Union army and navy during the period of the war an aggregate of 
about 4,000 men. The county paid in bounties, through its towns, a 
total of about $200,000; but the cost of the war to the county was a sum 
far greater than that mentioned; and in the loss of life, suffering on 
the field of battle and at home, in the hospital and at the fireside — 
when we reflect on all the scenes, all the miseries and all the heartaches, 
the loss cannot be estimated. 

In the legislative session of 18G1 Broome county was represented in 
the senate by Lyman Truman, of Owego, and in the assembly by Friend 
H. Burt, of Milburn. On April 12 a shot was fired from a mortar bat- 
tery near old Fort Johnson and fell on Fort Sumter, which was under the 
U. S. flag, and soon afterward the garrison of the latter surrendered. 
The news reached the state capital on Sunday morning, April 14, and 
on the same afternoon an important and hastily assembled meeting of 
officials was held in the executive chamber. The subject was presented 
to the legislature the next day, and at once a bill was passed providing 
for the enrollment of 30,000 volunteer militia to serve two years, and 
the sum of $3,000,000 was appropriated to meet the expense. At the 
same time a state military board was created. 

On April 15 the president issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 
militia from the several northern states "to suppress treasonable re- 
bellion," the quota of New York being seventeen regiments. Under 
that and later calls, July 12 found this state with a total of 46,224 men 
at the front. Now let us see what was Broome county's record during 
this trying period of the war. A glance at the official records discloses 
the fact that the county furnished men for at least twenty five different 
regiments in all arms of the service, and the total contribution there- 
fore was much scattered. In some of the regiments the contingent 
was exceedingly small, hardly worth notice, but according to their im- 
portance, service and strength they may be mentioned.' 

1 The 2.3d Inf. contained four Broome county recruits: Moses M. Van Benschoten and Walter 
Curkendall in Co C; Ellis Randall in Co. D; and William A. Conrad in Co. H. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 559 

TWENTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY. 

The 27th regiment. New York volunteer infantry, otherwise known 
as the " Union regiment," was recruited chiefly in the counties of Alle- 
gany, Broome, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans and Wayne, in 
the months of April and May, 1861, and was organized and accepted by 
the state at Elmira on May 21 of the latter year. The Broome county 
contingent comprised Cos. C, D and F, which were recruited at Bing- 
hamton. The regiment was mustered into the United States service 
for two years, July 9 and 10, 1861, to date from May 21, 1861. 

The regiment left for Washington July 10, rested a few days in the 
defenses of the capital, then proceeded at once to the front and took 
part in the battle at Bull Run, where it lost 26 men killed, 44 wounded 
and 60 missing or captured, a total of 130 officers and men. From that 
time until the final muster out the service of the 27th was arduous and 
severe, the heaviest losses being suffered at Bull Run, Gaines' Mill, 
Crampton Pass, Marye's Heights and Salem Church. During its ser- 
vice the regiment lost by death, killed in action, 1 officer and 61 en- 
listed men; from wounds, 1 officer and 11 men; from disease and other 
causes, 2 officers, 72 men, a total of 4 officers and 142 enlisted men, of 
whom seven men died in the hands of the enemy. At the expiration of 
the term of enlistment the three years' men were transferred to the 121st 
N. Y. Vols. The 27th was mustered out of service at Elmira, May 31, 
1863. 

The 27th regiment has a comprehensively written history, prepared 
by comrade C. B. Fairchild under the direction of Gen. Slocum and Capt. 
Charles A. Wells. The published history is in the hands of nearly 
every surviving comrade of the regiment, therefore a more detailed 
nairrative of its service is not deemed necessary to this chapter. . 

The battles of the 27th were as follows: Bull Run, Va., July 21, 1861 ; 
Pohick Church, Oct. 4, 1861; Westpoint, May 7, 1862; near Mechanics- 
ville. May 22 and June 1, 1862; Seven Days battle, June 2o-July 2, 
1862; Gaines' Mill, June 27, 1862; Garnett's and Goldmg's farms, June 
28, 1862; Glendale, June 30, 1862; Malvern Hill, July 1, 1862; Cramp- 
ton Pass, Sept. 14, 1862; Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862; Fredericksburg, 
Dec. 11-15, 1862; Franklin's Crossing, April 29-May 2, 1863; Marye's 
Heights and Salem Church, May 3-4, 1863. 



560 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonels. — Henry W. Slocum, prom, brig.-gen. Sept. 1, 1861; prom, 
major-gen. July 4, 1862; Joseph J. Bartlett, prom, colonel, Sept. 1, 1861 ; 
brig-gen. Oct. 4, 1862; Alexander D. Adams, prom. It.-col. Sept. 1, 
1861; colonel, Oct. 4, 1862. 

Lieutenant-Colonels. — Joseph D. Chambers, res. Aug. 9, 1862; Alex- 
ander D. Adams, prom, colonel; Joseph H. Bodine, prom. It. -colonel, 
Oct. 4, 1862. 

Majors. — Joseph J. Bartlett, prom, colonel; Curtiss C. Gardner, res. 
for wounds, July 24, 1862; Joseph H. Bodine, prom. It. -colonel; George 
G. Wanzer, prom, major, Oct. 4, 1862. 

Adjutants. — John P. Jenkins, res. Nov., 1861; Melville W. Goodrich, 
dismissed, Aug. 30, 1862; Charles E. Thompson, prom, adjt. Aug. 30, 
1862. 

Quartermasters. — James A. Hamilton, res. Oct. 7, 1862; James P. 
Kirby, prom, from Co. D Oct. 7, 1862, disch. Nov. 22, 1862; Texas 
Angel, prom, quartermaster, Nov. 22, 1862. 

Surgeons. — Norman S. Barnes, surgeon from enrollment. 

Surgeon's J/«/^.— Barnett W. Morse, res. July 19, 1862. 

Assistant Surgeon. — William H. Stuart, served from enrollment, Aug. 
15, 1862. 

Chaplains.— T>. D. Buck, res. Feb. 26, 1862; John G. Webster, res. 
March 18, 1863. 

Non-Commissioned Staff — Sergeant Majors. — Charles L. Gaul, died 
Aug. 20, 1862; William H. H. Brainard, prom, from private, Co. D, 
Sept. 1, 1861, reduced, Oct. 31, 1861; Clarke E. Ellis, prom, from Co. B, 
Aug. 30, 1862; Charles E. Thompson, prom. adjt. 

Quartermaster-Sergeants. — Lewis C. Bartlett, disch. for disability, 
Aug., 1861, re enlisted in Co. A; Benjamin S. Coffin, prom. Q. M. S. 
March 1, 1862. 

Commissary Sergeants. — Texas Angel, prom. com. sergt. March 1, 
1862; Daniel P. Newell, prom, from Co. K. 

Hospital Stewards. — W. Fitch Cheeney, disch. March 1, 1862; Daniel 
W. Bosley, prom. hosp. steward March 1, 1862. 

Drum Major. — George H. Cook, must, out Oct. 18, 1862. 

Principal Musician. — Fred Bender, prom, from Co. E, June 30, 1861 ; 
mustered out, Oct. 18, 1862. 

Norman P. Brown, of Maine, Alonzo E' Harding and Melvin A. 
Newman, of Binghamton, were enrolled among the members of Co. A. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 561 



MUSTER ROLL CO. C. 



Captains. — Joseph J. Bartlett, prom, major May 21, 1861; prom, 
brig -general, Oct. 4, 1862. Edward L. Lewis, prom, capt, from 1st 
lieut. Aug. 1, 1861; resigned. Charles A. Wells, enrolled as 2d lieut. 
prom. 1st lieut. May 21, 1861; capt. Sept. 1, 1861; assd. to duty as ord- 
nance officer, 1st div. 6th corps, April 20, 1863, 

First Lieutenants, — George H. Hurd, disch. Feb. 12, 1862; James 
Watson, prom, from 3d sergt. Feb. 15, 1862; in command of Co. after 
July 2, 1862. 

Second Lieutenants. — James King, prom, from private Sept. 1, 1861; 
resigned March 8, 1862, John E. Ronk, prom, from 4th sergt. May 7', 
1862; wounded at Gaines' Mill; resd. Nov. 13, 1862. Eri S. Watson, 
prom. 1st sergt. May 7, 1862; 2d lieut. Nov. 13, 1862. 

Sergeants. — Joshua V. N. Williams, prom, 1st sergt. Nov. 13, 1862; 
Frederick L. Gleason, prom, from corp. May 7, 1862; Gilbert Mix, 
prom, from private Dec, 3, 1862; Robert Way, prom, from private Dec. 
3, 1862; Allen Banks, prom, from private Nov. 13, 1862, 

Corporals. — Orlan Harmon, prom. May 7, 1862; George W. F. Fan- 
ning, prom. May 7, 1862, prisoner at Bull Run; Howard Evans, prom. 
May 7, 1862; Alvin Gibbs, prom. Dec. 3,1862; John Stowell, prom. 
Dec. 3, 1862; Alexander Bailey, prom. Jan. 24, 1863; Charles F. Yenne, 
captured at Bull Run, July 21, 1861; ret. Dec. 10, 1862; prom. corp. 
Jan. 24, 1863; Alonzo C. Taft, prom. Jan. 24, 1863, 

Musicians. — Lewis W, Chichester, Claude Dempsey. 

Privates. — William C, Austin, Oramel D. Abel, John Anson, Andrew 
H. AUard, Martin H. Adams, Orville Bacon, William H. Bowker, 
Henry N. Benson, Isaac Benson, David Brown, Simeon Brown, Sher- 
lock F. Black, Worcester Burrows, Abel J. Barlow, George W. Bur- 
rows, Calvin H. Bixby, John Boy^en (prisoner at Bull Run), S. Girard 
Case, John Clow, John Dorn, Michael Driscoll, Eber S. Devine, Har- 
vey C. Fowler, Jonathan French, Thomas Gillick, Simon Groat, Oliver 
Hokirk, Levi B, Johnson, William S. Jay, Clark Lambert, George Love- 
joy, James F. Lovelace, Charles R. Leonard, James C. Lakin, Harri- 
son Lull, Patrick Millmore, Robert Martin, Francis Pratt, Lewis J. 
Post, Melvin F. Sterling, Joseph Short, Charles Southworth, Law- 
rence Stoughtenburg, William H. Tripp, John Van Devort, William H. 
Van Alstine (prisoner at Bull Run), Albert G. Whitman, Franklin 
Whitney, Abram Walker. 

36 



562 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Discharged for Disability. — Morris P. Blair, Lewis W. Ballard, Ever- 
ett Blanshan, Avery W. Burrows, John W. Butler, Henry Coe, Samuel 
B. Crumb, Jacob Conrow, Edward M. Cafferty, Frederick Durand (pris- 
oner at Bull Run; wounded at Crampton Pass), George Hokirk, Hiram 
W. Hulse, Horatio G. Hotchkiss, Joseph Hanghi, Thomas Lynch, 
Chester Lakin, Deronda Landphier, Michael McGuire, Charles Perry, 
Wm. H. Potter, Chas. B. Schramm, Chas. W. Service, Wm, H. Tomp- 
kins, Thos. W, Tompkins, Henry O. Wheeler. 

Died. — George M. Andrews, prisoner at Bull Run and died at Rich- 
mond; George Butler, prisoner at Bull Run, paroUed in May and died 
in Aug., 1862; Jason B. Clark, died at Elmira; Martin Green, died 
Dec. 11, 1861; Cornelius W. Maine, died Dec. 23, 1862; James G. 
Shaw, died March 29, 1862; James B. Ward, died, July, 1862. 

Killed in Action.— John Butler, July 21, 1861 ; John Coe, May 4, 1863; 
Samuel Esterbrook, July 21, 1861; Norman S. Miller, July 21, 1861; 
Wm. H. Parker, June 27, 1862. 

Deserted. — James Bartholomew, George Davis, Gilbert Dalton, John 
Gaffney, John Hill, Daniel W. Larkin, Theodore M. Leonard, Edwin 
S. Richmond, Theodore Twitchell, Samuel H. Warner. 

Dropped. — William Barnes, James Barwise, George W. Dunn (pris- 
oner at Bull Run; parolled in May, 1862; commissioned capt. 109th 
Vols.), Eugene M. Davis (prisoner at Bull Run; parolled in May, 1862; 
commissioned capt. 109th Vols.). 

Transferred. — Charles E. Carmer, trans, to 2d Regular Battery. 

MUSTER ROLL CO. D. 

Captains. — Hiram C. Rodgers, prom. A. A. G. on Gen, Slocum's 
staff, July 20, 1862. Allen G. Northrup, prom. 2d lieut. July 2, 1861; 
captain, July 2, 1862. Albert M. Tyler, prom. 2d lieut. July 20, 1862; 
captain, Nov. 27, 1862; assd. to duty as asst. com'r of muster, 1st Div., 
6th Corps, April 20, 1863. 

First Lieutenants. — Henry C. Jackson, resigned Aug. 7, 1861; Edwin 
D. Comstock, prom. 1st lieut. Aug. 7, 1861, and later to captain, Co. K; 
George A. Dickson, prom. 1st lieut. Feb. 8, 1862, and dismissed by order 
of president, Oct. 11, 1862; William M. Nimbs, prom. Oct. 11, 1862, 
from sergt. Co. H to 1st lieut. Co. D. 

Second Lieutenants. — Asa Park, killed at Bull Run, July 21, 1861 ; 
Charles N. Elliott, prom. 2d lieut. Nov, 27, 1862. 

Sergeants. — Oliver A. Kilmer, Chauncey Durfee, Edward M. Watson, 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 563 

Frank Coleman, Charles B. Fairchild (prisoner at Bui! Run; parolled 
May 22, 1862; ret. to regt. Oct, 4, 1862; prom, sergt. March 1, 1863). 

Corporals. — Walton Lewis, Lewis H. Brown, Henry M. Crocker, 
George O. Pratt, William H. Siple, Wm. E. Johnson, Wm. H. Gray, 
Elijah R. Williams. 

Musicians, — Charles Winter, Charles Van Horn. 

Privates. — Wm-. J. Aylesworth, John W. Burrows, Francis Bentley, 
Russel S. Cole, Alexander Crawford, John G. Case, Alonzo Dickinson, 
Reuben H. Dickinson, Pardee S. Dyer, James P. Fagen, Frederick 
Fowler, Abiel Finch, Richard Forker, Aaron W. Gage, Matthias Gor- 
man, Charles A. Harding, Jonas Hobbs, George E. Hurlburt, William 
E. Johnson, George L. Kilmer, Wm. H. Lay, John McLaughlin, Jesse 
Minkler, James E. Moore, Zael Paddleford, David Pratt, Charles W. 
Piatt (prisoner at Bull Run; parolled; dropped; restored to the roll), 
Edwin S. Reid, Benjamin F. Spencer, Nelson Spencer, Wm. W. Spencer, 
Wm. J. Spendley, Charles Slater, Arthur Scott, Albert Seymour, Henry 
M. Smith, William P. Sampson (wounded and prisoner at Bull Run), 
Watson B. Tanner, Charles Webber, John Wilkins, Daniel F. Williams, 
L. Hibbard Whittlesey, Benton H. Wilson, Addison G. White, James 
Whithead, Samuel Winchell, Henry Waldorff. 

Discharged for Disability. — William H. Bartram, Albert D. Arm- 
strong, Wm. D. Bolls, Alva Booth, Stewart A. Burrows, Heber Canoll, 
Alex. H. Crawford, Philip Crissman, Clark J. Cone, Frank Francisco, 
Charles H. Fairchild, Wm. H. Gates, Frank Grimes, Asa L. Howard, 
Wm. H. Hopkins, Albert Hughes, Gilbert Leonard, James Lester, 
Thaddeus S. Monroe, Sidney A. McCune, Melvin A. Newman, Joseph 
R. Osborn, Newell Paddleford, Delos Payne, Wm. J. Randall, Stephen 
A. Sturdevant, Charles W. Smith, Charles Thompson, Joseph F. Tripp, 
Gideon Van Auken, George L. Wilcox, George Williamson. 

Transferred.— \N\\\mm H. H. Brainard, prom. 2d lieut. and trans, to 
Co. F; James P. Kirby, trans, to reg. staff; James N. McCauley, trans, 
to Penna. Vols. ; Chas. E. Thompson, prom, sergt. major. 

Died and Killed.— ]ohn L. Bailey, shot by rebel scout, May 6, 1862; 
Irvin S. Burge, killed at Gaines' Mill, June 27, 1862; Samuel Brackett, 
died Jan. 14, 1862, at Alexandria, Va. ; Webster Dwight, died Dec. 21, 
1861, at New York; Ira Frederick, killed at Gaines' Mill, June 27, 1862; 
Joseph B. Dwight, killed at Crampton Pass, Sept. 14, 1862; Lafayette 
J. Goodrich, killed at Crampton Pass, Sept. 14, 1862; Henry A. Hard- 
ing, wounded at Gaines' Mill, died Aug. 15, 1862, at Philadelphia, Pa. ; 



564 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Calvin Meadiam, killed at Bull Run, July 21, 1861; Oscar Phelps, died 
Aug. 11, 1862, at Philadelphia, Pa.; Cyrus Pardee, wounded and pris- 
oner at Bull Run, died in Richmond about Aug. 1, 1861; James V. 
Snedaker, wounded and prisoner at Bull Run, died in Richraand, Va., 
Sept. 14, 1861. 

Deserted. — John H. Hogan, Chester Howard, David Hoyt, WiUiam 
Trail, George Tiffany, George Ransom. 

Dropped. — James Coon, wounded and prisoner at Bull Run, and 
dropped Aug. 14, 1862; George Hedding, dropped Aug. 14, 1862. 

MUSTER ROLL CO. F. 

Captains.— Y&lQ,x Jay, res'd Aug. 14, 1862. William H. H. Brainard, 
prom. 2d lieut. from Co. D Dec. 14, 1861; to captain Aug. 14, 1862; 
res'd Nov. 27, 1862. George H.Roman, prom. 3d lieut. Aug. 14, 1862; 
captain Nov. 27, 1862. 

First Lieutenants.— ^W\\Ava.S. Sheldon, res'd Aug. 1, 1861; Lafayette 
Cross, prom, from 2d to 1st lieut. Aug. 1, 1861, res'd Feb. 22, 1862; 
Andrew PatruUo, appt'd 1st lieut. Feb. 22, 1862, res'd Jan. 18, 1863; 
John R. Briggs, prom, from 2d lieut. Co. G Jan. 27, 1863. 

Second Lieutena7its.—Vv2in\i E. Northrup, res'd Dec. 14, 1861; Fred- 
erick Randall, prom. 2d lieut. Nov. 27, 1862. 

Sergeants. — Joseph L. Ross, Luther N. Hubbard, Daniel W. Weth- 
erell, William M. Robinson, Rollin B. Truesdell. 

Corporals. — Edwin J. Wilbur, P. Rowland Thompson, Albert Kniffin, 
William B. Westervelt, John N. Kennedy, Solomon Darling, Harrison 
Guiles, Sanford Bradbury. 

Musician. — Thomas C. Smith. 

Privates. — James S. Bogart, Hiram Brown, jr., Gould Burnside^ 
Charles A. Bowker, Henry Corey, Benjamin Cummings, Owen D. 
Conklin, Leonard Corby, James L. Dunning, John Dunning, Bailey 
Evans, James H. Evans, George W. Finch, Nathaniel Gorham, Charles 
O. Handy, Timothy Hayes, Harlan Holland, Patrick Houlihan, Warren 
Howland, John Kearn (prisoner at Bull Run), David T. Keeler (wounded 
at Crampton Pass), Thomas Kelly, Oscar K. Lander, David A. Lester, 
Charles Miller, Alexander Monroe, J. Washington Ostrander, Albert 
Perry, Henry Redfield, Andrew Rood, Timothy S. Slater, William S. 
Van Valkenburg (prisoner at Bull Run; ret. to regt. Feb. 10, 1863), 
Albert Welch, Reuben A. Wright (prisoner at Bull Run; ret. to regt. 
April 7, 1863), David Walker, Theodore H. Yates. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 565 

Discharged for Disability. — Ira C. Benedict, George W. Bishop, George 
H. Benedict, Charles W. Butts, James Barry, George Cooper, Charles 
Crary, Lee T. Dawson, James Durfee, Joseph L. Davis, Franklin French, 
William H. French, John June, George E. Kelsey, Edward Livermore, 
Rosander Lobdell, Joseph Lade, Josiah H. Rose, James vSpencer, Phil- 
ander P. Shaw, Lucius Troop, Charles Van Dusen, Henry Williams, 
Harvey D. Whitney. 

Died and Killed. — Davolson P. Benedict, Charles Burgee, Jesse P. 
Coon, Miles Cresson, William E. Curran, John R. Ferguson, Daniel 
Hawkins, Silas W. Lockwood, Frank B. Rogers, James D. Reynolds, 
Wesley Randall, David M. Turner, James F. Waterman, Edgar H. 
Warner. 

Deserted. — George W. Beckford, Eben E. Barrow, Seth Barrows, 
Edward C. Boyd, Charles E. Evans, Harrison Gerig, Charles Holland, 
Joseph H. McEvoy, Wm. L. Osborn, Melvin J. Pierce, Charles C. 
Sherwood, William H. Smith, Archibald Snell, Daniel H. Taylor. 

Dropped. — Nicholson A. Corson, John Hygard, Allen Lawson, Edwin 
M. Watrous 

EIGHTY-NINTH INFANTRY— VETERAN. 

The Eighty-Ninth regiment of infantry, the famous Dickinson guard, 
was raised chiefly through the efforts of Daniel S. Dickinson, who re- 
ceived authority therefor, August 29, 1861. The work of recruiting 
was done during the summer and fall of that year and with such expe- 
dition that the ranks were filled during the course of three months. 
The counties of Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Monroe, Livingston and 
Schuyler contributed to the strength of the regiment, and it was mus- 
tered into the service of the United States for three years at Elmira, 
December 4-6, 1861, under colonel Harrison S. Fairchild and lieuten- 
ant-colonel Jacob C. Robie. 

Broome county was represented in the 89th by Cos. B and H, which 
were recruited at Binghamton ; F at Whitney's Point ; G at Windsor, and 
about one-half of Co. H at Corbettsville in the town of Conklin. Fully 
two-fifths of the regiment was comprised of Broome county soldiery, 
and was one of the commands in which all the people felt great interest 
and pardonable pride, for the "flower and the youth" of the county 
were in the ranks. The command left the state, December 6, 1861, and 
until January of the next year served with Casey's division of the Army 
of the Potomac, when it was assigned to duty with Gen. Burnside's 



566 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

expeditionary corps in North Carolina. Its first engagement was at 
South Mills, N. C, April 19, 1862, soon after which the regiment re- 
turned to Virginia and was attached to the First brigade, 3d division 
of the 9th corps. From that time to July, 1863, the 89th shared the 
successes and hardships of the army in the department of Virginia, and 
then again was sent into the Carolinas, taking part in the operations 
against the strongholds of the enemy in the locality in which secession 
had its birth. In April, 1864, the command was attached to the army 
of the James, 1st brigade, 2d division, 10th corps, and thereafter its 
service was chiefly in Virginia, although the regiment was pitched 
about from corps to corps more frequently than almost any other body 
of New York troops. In fact, during the period of its service, the 89th 
was attached to not less than seven army corps, and was a part of the 
famous 24th corps when mustered out of service at Richmond, Va , 
August 3, 1865. At the expiration of the original term of enlistment 
the men entitled thereto were mustered out, but the regiment was after- 
ward maintained in service under its original designation. 

In many respects the 89th was Broome county's most representative 
regiment. At the front its service was severe, and at times the losses 
seemed heavy, particularly at Antietam, where the ranks were deci- 
mated by the loss of more than one hundred men. In the assault of 
Petersburg 94 men fell, while at Fair Oaks the total loss numbered 140 
men. At South Mountain, Fredericksburg, Cold Harbox, in the opera- 
tions before Petersburg and Richmond, at Chaffin's farm, and also in 
the Appomattox campaign, the regiment had its full share of fighting 
and an equal share of successes and reverses, yet on every occasion it 
acquitted itself well in the cause of the Union and with honor to the 
counties from which its strength was drawn. 

In this brief chapter we have not the space to detail at length the 
the services of the 89th during the period of the war, but leave that im- 
portant task to the writer who now is preparing the history of the regi- 
ment. As shown by official records the 89th lost by death, killed in 
action, 4 officers and 49 enlisted men ; from wounds received in action, 
2 officers and 52 men; from disease and other causes, 159 men; total, 6 
officers and 260 men, of whom 13 enlisted men died in the hands of the 
enemy. 

The battles of the 89th were as follows: 

South Mills, N. C, April 19, 1802; Jefferson City, Md., Sept. 13, 1862; 
South Mountain, Md., Sept. 14, 1862; Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862; Fay- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 567 

etteville, Va., Nov. 15, 1862; Crump's Cross Roads, July 2, 1863; siege 
of Battery Wagner, S. C, Aug. 9-Sept. 7, 1863; bombardment of Fort 
Sumter, Aug. 17-23, 1863; operations in Charleston Harbor, Sept. 8- 
Dec. 31, 1863; bombardment of Fort Sumter, Oct. 27-Nov. 9, 1863; 
operations against Petersburg and Richmond, Va., May 5-31, 1864; 
Swift Creek, May 9-10, 1864; Proctor's Creek, May 12, 1864; Drewry's 
Blufif, May 14-16, 1864; Bermuda Hundred, May 18-26, 1864; Cold 
Harbor, June 1-12, 1864; before Petersburg and Richmond, June 15, 
1864-April 2, 1865; assault of Petersburg, June 15-19, 1864; Chaffin's 
Farm, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 1864; Fair Oaks, 2d, Oct. 27-29, 1864; Appo- 
mattox campaign, March 28-April 9, 1865; fall of Petersburg, April 2, 
1865; Rice's Station, April 6, 1865; Burke's Station, April 7, 1865; Ap- 
pomattox court house, April 9, 1865. 

FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel, Harrison S, Fairchild ; lieutenant-colonel, Jacob C. Robie; 
major, Daniel T. Everts; adjutant, John E. Shepard; quartermaster, 
Cornelius H. Webster; surgeon, Truman H. Squier; ass't surgeon, 
Nathaniel E. Pierson ; sergt. major, Gerrit Van Ingen. 

MUSTER ROLL CO. B, 

James Hazley, captain ; Nathan A. Newton, first lieut. ; Chauncey J. 
Reed, second lieut. ; David C. Durand, Benj. F. Kelley, George C. 
Baker, Needick Adams, Ira Schriver, sergeants; William E. Evans, 
Richard Downs, Thomas Groody, Charles L. Campbell, Thomas Dur- 
fee, Charles Stringham, George A. Grove, Benj. F. Leech, corporals; 
Samuel D. Crum, John E. Mandeville, musicians; Jacob Van Auken, 
wagoner. 

Privates. — Anson Leonard, Lewis Chester Bartlett, James S. Burr, 
Byron M, Badger, John W. Beardsley, Frederick Brown, Andrew J. 
Brown, Stephen H. Bolles, Joseph B. Bovee, Edward B. Bishop, James 
E. Busby, Chauncey Baker, William Bisley, Jacob Berger, Jehiel Cam- 
eron, Azor M. Curtis, Robert W. Crane, Alfred Clyde, Sherman N. 
Cook, George W. Carhart, Stephen D. Cagwin, John Clune, Uriah W. 
Cash, John Cassidy, Edward M. Caflferty, Martin Delano, Daniel Deni- 
son, Edson A. Davis, Seneca Duell, Reed F. Francisco, William C. 
Fisher, Hiram D. Gould, James Groody, Arthur O. Gray, William H. 
Hull, David Harris, John P. Hunt, William Hamilton, John Kay, 



568 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

David Lincoln, Hiram D. Landon, Barney Lee, John Maunschoff, John 
W. Munn, James Mullin, James O'Connor, Francis O'Clary, Jacob Por- 
ter, Lewis M. Pierson, Charles Pithie, William T. Powers, Friend 
Pratt, David A. Patterson, Edward M. Pierce, Chauncey J. Reed, Oli- 
ver Raunny, John W. Rulifson, John W. Rockwell, George W. String- 
ham, John Splan, John H. Sweet, Richard Smith, Ernest F. Towner, 
Henry W. Vanderburg, Jacob H. Waldron, Charles H. Williams. 

MUSTER ROLL CO. F. 

Robert Brown, captain; Moses Puffer, first lieut. ; William N. Bene- 
dict, second lieut. ; Francis Burghardt, George H. Baldwin, jr., Robert 
Brown, Charles E. Booth, James E Northrup, sergeants; Oliver Tyler, 
Christopher Hamilton, Owen Dimmick, Barney Terwilliger, Peter H. 
Pierson, Henry L. Howe, Dennis Lewis, Gideon D. Howard, corporals ; 
Frederick Fenner, James Vanderberg, musicians; William N. Benson, 
wagoner. 

Privates. — John Q. Adams, James B. Alcott, James Allen, jr., Will- 
iam A. Atwater, George C. Arnott, Parley M. Brown, George W. Bow- 
ker, James Brown, Andrew J. Bartholomew, De Bois Bennett, La Fay- 
ette Bixby, John M. Covey, Daniel D. Culver, Charles L Courtney, 
Truman Councilman, Ezra Cleveland, Lewis C. Culver, Ogden Dim- 
mick, George L Dewey, Jackson Dyer, George W. Dibble, George 
Eichenburg, George English, Enos B. Foot, Charles H. French, John 
Foster, Charles Fiske, Blanchard M. Fosgate, Richard C. Gray, Heman 
C. Gray, Sidney Heath, Melvin Handy, Henry Harrington, Charles H. 
Holland, Jerome Hall, Jerome Howe, Daniel Johnson, Robert L. John- 
son, Uriah A. Jefford, Jacob King, William B. Livermore, Henry V. 
Monroe, Seth Marvin, Gideon Mead, Henry H. Norton, Asahel H. 
Norton, George L. Nicholas, Martin M. Nash, Richard A. Oliver, Or- 
ville P. Oliver, George F. Pierce, Samuel Rooks, William C. Rensse- 
laer, Almon L. Reed, Charles Stiles, Martin H. Shepard, George H. 
Slade, Eli Stephens, Rufus C. Smith, Henry D. Smith, Alexander O. 
Shepard, George Sherwood, William Self, Charles H. Taft, James H. 
Trafford, Elias M. Trafford, Elias B. Tompkins, Stephen S. Vander- 
burg, William Utter, Edward F. Wright, George A. Wheeler, Phineas 
H. Warner, Robert Walker, Consider M. Yarnes, Frederick Young. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 569 

MUSTER ROLL CO. G.' 

Captains. — Seymour L. Judd. died June 15, 18G4, from wounds re- 
ceived at Petersburg. 

Frank S. Smith, prom. corp. Oct. 3, 1861; Q. M. S. Oct. 10, 1864; re. 
enl. March 21, 1864; prom. 1st lieut. Feb. 18, 1863; captain Feb 18, 
1865, by order of Gen. Schofield. 

First Lieuteyiant. — Edward M. Bloomer, res. Jan. 23, 1861. 

Second Lieutenants. — John B. Russell, disch. Nov. 23, 1864; Freder- 
ick Davenport, trans, to Co. E Aug. 8, 1862. 

Sergeants. — William H. Perkins (missing in action Oct. 27, 1864), 
Edward A. Babcock (disch. for disabilities), Gabriel C. Hulse, Ambrose 
Hoadley, Franklin Plunkett, Irving A. Stringham, Calvin Sweet (died 
Aug. 24, 1862), Thomas H. Pearsall (died Aug. 29, 1864). Lewis Heath 
(reported deserted). 

Corporals. — Pliny A. Russell (wounded June 18, 1864), Amos C. 
Hunt, Joseph E. Andrews, Charles H. Hupman, Robert H. Hall, San- 
ford L. Spearbeck, William Dusenbury. 

Musicians. — William S. Bullock, John M. Knowlton. 

Wagoner. — John M. Wiles. 

Privates. — James A. Atkins, Thomas Brown, James H. Buchanan, 
Sanford S. Ballard, James O. Ballard, Ichabod Reed, Isaac Van Nor- 
wick, Gilead S. Alden, Kavanaugh Ayers, Horace Baker, Charles 
Benn, Benj. Bird, Charles Blatchley, James S. Chase, William Cresson, 
Charles L. Doolittle, Nelson E. Doolittle, Stephen G. Doolittle, Martin 
M. Dewry (reported deserter), Wiley Fairchilds, Alvarado Ford, Charles 

E. Garlock, Hobert Haynes, George W. Haynes, Eli Hupman, George 
L. Hupman, Le Roy E. Hotchkiss, Joshua Ives, Jerome B. Judd, James 
W. Kirby, William H. Kilmer, William F. Martin, George Mayo, Wra. 
H. H. Mayo, Henry E. Morse, Wm. D. Marshall, Whitney A. Moore, 
Wm. E. Moore, Whitney Page, Riley D. Heath, Simeon A. Parsons, Benj. 

F. Russell, Urial Springsteen, Ezra P. Smith, Robert G. Springsteen, 
Abisha C. Stephens, Milton J. Tompkins, William D. Tompkins, Elmore 
Tiel, John L. Toby, Hamilton Van Ness, Amasa L. Whitney, George 
B. Warner, Uri T. Wooster. 

Privates Died.— Andrew A. Blatchley, Lathrop Benjamin, Warren 
E. Bird, Charles K. Crofut, Harvey J. Doolittle, George W. Draper, 
Daniel W. Edson, Ransom H. Frost, Merritt C. Frost, Philip Grodevant, 

« Compiled from Capt. Frank S. Smith's muster-out roll. 



570 BINGHAMTON ITS SETTLEMENT, 

De Witt Gilbert, Isaac N. Howell, Ralph Hallock, John D. Judd, Uriah 
E. Moore, Milton E. Moore, Edward Porter, Hampton L. Piper, James 
Smith, Joseph W. Swigert, Samuel R. Twitchell, Warren Welton, James 
A. Waters, Joseph E. White, William H. Walton, George Warner, Ma- 
son Smith. 

MUSTER ROLL — CO. H. 

Captain, John B. Van Name; first lieutenant, Wellington M. Lewis; 
second lieutenant, Almon Morris; sergeants, William H. French, Charles 
H. Amsbry, Luther A. Johnson, James M. Mayhew, Charles W. Pitts; 
corporals, Elijah Statts, Chandler T. Preston, George W. Tillotson, 
Walter Riddle, John Davis, jr., Oliver Morris, Henry Talmadge, Linus 
Morse; musicians, George La Due, Jonathan Brown; wagoner, Asel 
M. La Barron. 

PrivaUs—FTa.nk]m Bacon, Ichabod E. Bacon, Manly M. Bacon, Frank 
D. Brakes, Lewis Clark, John Crowe, Lyman Crawford, Samuel C. Colt, 
Moses W. Chollar, James Cassidy, Le Roy Davis, Moses Davis, Henry 
Davis, Mills Davis, Lewis B. Davis, Daniel D. Dranes, George C. Dur- 
fee, William A. Drum, James Edson, Seth Edson, John P. Edwards, 
George A. Edney, Jeremiah Flint, Lorenzo Flint, James H. Groves, 
Barton P. Harper, Ralsey W. Hakes, John Hayes, Abram Haxton, 
Benjamin Hardy, Lawrence Kain, Jacob P. Ludwig, Leonard Lewis, 
Peter Livingston, Lewis McNamara, Charles L. Meek, Justin Morse, 
John A. Murphy, William Oliver, William W. Osborn, Joseph R. Os- 
born, William R. Palmer, Charles H. Prentice, William H. Perry, 
Augustus W. Pingru, Michael N. Quigley, Samuel Reder, David L 
Rhodes, Israel Slater, Stephen M. Scovel, William I. Springsteen, 
Simeon Springsteen, John W. Savine, Jehiel Smith, Moses Sneeden, 
John V. Statts, Matthew Snook, George Terwilliger, Charles Tuller, 
Theodore F. Tuttle, James Tyler, David Talmadge, William H. Utter, 
Joseph Verrill, Henry J. Wilson, Henry Winters, Dudley R. Weaver, 
Hoyt Warner. 

MUSTER ROLL CO. K. 

Captain, Frank Burt; first lieut., Oliver P. Harding; second lieut., 
Frank W. Tremain ; Marvin Watrous, Alber D. Burt, Benjamin Covert, 
William J. Place, George Eaglesfield, sergeants; Noah Bisbee, William 
Masten, Henry Aldrich, William N. Webb, Richard J. Nichols, George 
W. Ferons, Oliver W. Meeker, Christopher Knight, corporals; Charles 
A. Bogardus, Job A. Knapp, musicians; Moses Swift, wagoner. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 571 

Privates— V^m\ Atwell, Elijah Atwell, Henry L. Bogart, Almiron 
Brown, Edgar Bagley, Charles A. Ball, Henry B. Crocker, George F. 
Crocker, Eli Crocker, Charles Cronk, Abram Court, Harrison Dunham, 
Monson L. Dunham, George M. English, Samuel A. Fitch, Marshall 
Granis, Reuben Gr3'man, Stephen B. Galloway, La Fayette Hughes, 
Tompkins Hull, William H. Holmes, George W. Hulbert, Asa L. How- 
ard, Henry K. Johnson, William H. Johnson, George Jordon, John 
Kincaid, James Kerr, Thomas Love, Ezra Lawson, Silas W. Lacy, Jo- 
seph P. Masten, Daniel D. Hasten, Andrew Meeker, Nelson W. Meeker, 
Hiram F. Meeker, Wilbur Moore, Lyman S. Mills, Gilbert A. McKin- 
ney, William N. Pencil, Perry Russell, Ambrose Ransom, Charles F. 
Ronkles, Leander S. Robinson, William F. Smythe, Lewis L. Simpson, 
George Scofield, Charles Swan, Joseph F. Thompson, George Tarbox, 
James C. Taylor, Frederick Thurston, George Van Horn, William Vri- 
denburg, Monroe Williams, Levi B. Wilkinson, Henry H. Wilbur, 
Eseck Welch, Harvey Welch, John T. Wilton, Daniel C. Winters. 

In Co. D, the Rochester company, were three Binghamton recruits: 
John Brady, Patrick Fitz Gibbons and David Gommell. In Co, E, the 
Chenango county company, Charles Ball was a recruit. 

NINETIETH INFANTRY— VETERAN. 

The 90th regiment of infantry, which in the service was variously 
known as the " Hancock guards," the " McClellan chasseurs," and also 
as the "McClellan rifles," was raised by Col. Louis Tinelli under au- 
thority from the war department. The strength of the command was 
drawn from the eastern part of the state, although at least ten counties 
furnished men to its ranks. Broome county contributed a portion of 
Co. E, which was recruited in Nineveh, hence was known as the 
" Nineveh company," although Unadilla and Otsego furnished more than 
half its men. The regiment was organized in New York city, Novem- 
ber 20, 1861, with J. S. Morgan as colonel, Col. Tinelli as lieutenant- 
colonel, and J, S. De Agreda as major. The companies were mustered 
into service for three years between September and December, 1861. 
At the expiration of its term of enlistment the men entitled thereto 
were discharged, Dec. 10, 15 and 17, 1864, at New York city, and the 
regiment, which had returned from its veteran furlough in September, 
1864, with new Companies B, H, and I, mustered in for one year, was 
retained in the service, but was consolidated into a battalion of six 
companies. 



572 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

The earliest services of the 90th were performed chiefly in the de- 
partment of the south, and little fighting, except against sickness, was 
done previous to the siege of Port Hudson, May 3-July 8, 1863. In 
1864 the regiment returned to Virginia and was attached to the Army 
of the Shenandoah, but in September, 1865, returned again to the south, 
where it was honorably discharged and mustered out of service at Sa- 
vannah, Ga., Feb. 9, 1866, having lost from all causes a total of 250 
men, of whom 7 officers and 183 enlisted men died of disease. 

The battles of the 90th were: Franklin, La., May 25, 1863; siege of 
Port Hudson, May 31-July 8, 1863; second assault, June 14, 1863; 
Bayou La Fourche, July 13, 1863; Red River campaign, March 10-May 
22, 1864; Mansura, May 16, 1864; Opequon, Va., Sept. 19, 1864; 
Fisher's Hill, Sept. 22, 1864; Cedar Creek, Oct. 19 and Nov. 11-12. 
1864. 

MUSTER ROLL CO. E.' 

Pj-ivates — James A. Merritt, Thomas A. Jacobs, Andrew J. Baird, 
Cyrus W. C. Burch, Alfred A. Lord, Cornelius E. Pratt, Alvin H. Lord, 
Michael Keenan, Charles Wilkinson, Wellington Hawkins, W. N. Bait- 
ley, George Ames, Seth K. Austin, Morris M. Merwin, Charles M. 
Kronkhite, Charles S. Olmstead, W. B. Benton, Philip N. Austin, 
George Dean. 

ONE HUNDRED AND NINTH INFANTRY. 

The 109th regiment of volunteer infantry, the " Binghamton regi- 
ment," the redoubtable " Railway brigade," was recruited in July and 
August, 1862, under authority granted therefor to Benjamin F. Tracy, 
a prominent member of the Tioga county bar, who was the first colonel 
commanding the regiment. The counties of Broome, Tioga and Tomp- 
kins contributed to the strength of the command. Co. A was raised in 
Newfield, Caroline and Danby; B, in Candor, Richfield, Newark, Berk- 
shire, Owego and Caroline; C, in Owego and Candor; D, in Bingham- 
ton; E, in Binghamton, Chenango and Sanford; F, in Dryden and 
Groton; G, in Truraansburg, Enfield, Lansing, Jacksonville and Ulysses; 
H, in Binghamton and Apalachin; I, in Smithboro, Tioga Centre, 
Waverly and Spencer; and K, in Nichols, Candor and Owego. 

The local companies D and E had recruiting offices on Court street, 
the former under Capt. George W. Dunn, in a tent at the northwest 

1 The above list shows only the Broome county contingent of men in the company. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 573 

corner of Court House square, and the latter under Capt. Edward L. 
Lewis in a store on the north side of Court street, a few doors east of 
the Chenango canal bridge, where "Veteran " James Schemerhorn 
handled the drumsticks with much vigor to attract recruits. The pop- 
ularity of Captains Dunn and Lewis, both of whom previously had been 
in the service in the 27th regiment, had the effect to draw to the 109th 
some of the best young soldier material of Broome county; young men 
ranging in age from 16 to 21 years, strong, vigorous and of our best 
families, many of them fresh from the school room or farm, and every 
one willing to do a soldier's full duty. 

The ranks filled rapidly, and when the command began to assume 
definite proportions a camping ground was selected south of the Sus- 
quehanna river, near the end of the Rockbottom bridge, south of what 
now is known as Conklin avenue and west of Telegraph street. This 
place was the regimental rendezvous, where the men were drilled by 
companies and in battalion formation ; and here, too, was the common 
resorting place for hundreds of our townfolk, and thousands from other 
parts of Broome, Tioga and Tompkins counties; parents, brothers, sis- 
ters and sweethearts, who came to visit and cheer the soldier boys and 
bring them delicacies from home. 

So rapidly indeed did the ranks fill with willing recruits that in just 
thirty-six days after Col. Tracy was authorized to raise the regiment, 
the latter was mustered in the service of the United States for three 
years, August 27, 1862. Immediately afterward the command was 
ordered to proceed to Washington, and then came the heartbreaking 
scenes of parting and farewell. On August 30 the regiment marched 
through the streets to the Erie station and took the train for the east 
and south, camping first at Annapolis, Md., in the defenses of Wash- 
ington, where it was assigned to guard duty along the line of the rail- 
road between Washington and Baltimore, forming a part of the 8th 
corps, army of the middle department. Here the men were first pro- 
vided with Springfield rifles, and the regiment was perfected in drill 
and military discipline, therefore when ordered into active service 
against the enemy the men fought with all the skill and valor of trained 
veterans. 

For fourteen months the regiment was held on guard duty, with vari- 
ous companies on detached service, along the line of the railway, and 
thus acquired the designation of the " Railway brigade." On April 28. 
1864, the command was attached to the 1st brigade, 1st division, Burn- 



574 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

side's 9th corps of the Army of the Potomac, and thereafter took a 
prominent part in several of the most severe battles of the war. At 
the Wilderness the 109th went into the fight 800 strong, held their line 
throughout the contest, charged the enemy and withstood a counter 
charge, lost seventy-eight men, but never faltered. Next followed the 
series of engagements at Spottsylvania court house and Ny river, cov- 
ering a period of two weeks, during which time the regiment lost in 
killed, wounded and missing a total of 140 men. At North Anna and 
Cold Harbor 31 more men fell, while in all the operations before and 
about Petersburg, including the ' ' mine explosion, " the losses aggregated 
260 men. 

Indeed, from May, 1864, to the fall of Petersburg in April, 1865, the 
banner regiment of Broome county soldiery was engaged against the 
enemy in not less than sixteen hard fought battles, the most fiercely 
contested struggles of the war, and never once was the command charged 
with lack of energy, bravery and skill. At the fearful mine explosion, 
July 30, 1864, when fifty-three men of the regiment fell almost in a 
minute, when Col. Catlin lost a leg and was carried from the field, and 
when Major Stillsonalso was seriously wounded, the line never wavered, 
but fought on to the end. After that to the end of its service the regi- 
ment was commanded by Captains Dunn and Evans. 

According to military records, during the period of its service the 
109th lost an aggregate of 5 officers and 324 enlisted men, of whom 42 
enlisted men died in the hands of the enemy. On June 14, 1865, at 
Delaney Court House, D, C, the regiment was honorably discharged 
and mustered out of service. 

The battles of the 109th were : 

The Wilderness, May 5-7, 1864; Spottsylvania Court House, May 8- 
21, 1864; Ny river. May 9, 10 and 12, 1864; North Anna, May 26-27, 
1864; Tolopotomoy, May 27-31, 1864; Cold Harbor, June 1-12, 1864; 
before Petersburg, June 16, 1864-April 2, 1865; assault of Petersburg, 
June 16-19, 1864; mine explosion, July 30, 1864; Weldon Road, Aug. 
18-21, 1864; Poplar Spring Church, Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 1864; Hatcher's 
Run, Oct. 27-28, 1864; Fort Stedman, March 25, 1865; fall of Peters- 
burg, April 2, 1865. 

ROSTER, FIELD AND STAFF 109tH REGT.' 

Colonels. — Benjamin F. Tracy, promoted brigadier-general. Isaac L. 

• The muster roll of Field and Staff and also of the companies was kindly furnished for this 
chapter by Prof. Henry L. Fowler, of Co. E. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 575 

Catlin, mustered as colonel, July 29, 1864; lost leg at Petersburg, July 
30, 1864; brevet brigadier-general. 

Lieutenant Colonels. — Isaac L. Catlin, promoted colonel. Philo B. 
Stilson, prom, from major, July 29, 1864. 

Majors. — Philo B. Stilson, prom, lieut. -colonel. George W. Dunn, 
prom, from captain Co. D. 

Adjutant. — Henry L. Jewett. 

Quartermasters. — Peter W. Hopkins, James S. Thurston. 

Surgeons. — Sanford B. Hunt, Seymour Churchill, William E. John- 
son, 

Asst. Surgeons. — Salphronious B. French, Asa J. White. 

Chaplains. — Albert Wyatt, William Wyatt, Ransom A. Washburn. 

Sergeant Majors. — Leroy C. Chittenden, Marshall Waterfield, George 
H. Bristol. 

Quartermaster Sergeant. — William A. King. 

Commissary Sergeants. — Hiram J. Cooper, Jesse A. Ashley, Frank 
P. Farrington. 

Hospital Nurse. — "Aunt" Becky Young. 

MUSTER ROLL CO. D. 

Captains. — George W. Dunn, prom, major Sept. 5, 1864; Robert 
McAdam Johnson. 

First Lieutenants. — William N. Benedict, disch. for wounds received 
May 12, 1864; W. Gus Chittenden. 

Second Lieutenant . — Robert M. Johnson, prom, captain. 

Sergeants. — William H. Austin, James M. Bullis, Leroy C, Chitten- 
den, Philo P. Howe, Fred A. Ogden (killed May 12, 1864), Alex. S. 
Patten, Chauncey M. Pomeroy, Ansel K. Prentice, Elias Prentice, 
George Reynold;^, Fernando Rindge, Lewis Rittenberg, Samuel D. 
Stone, John H. Watrous (prom, captain U. S. Col. troops), Stewart H. 
Watrous. 

Corporals. — John Brown, Joseph S. Carman, James D. Guy, Neil V. 
Kinsey, Addison Stanley, Urbane S. Stevens (wounded July 30, 1864), 
James H. Stone, Marshall F, Taft, Franklin D. Wentworth. 

Musicians. — Richard Moore, August Germinhardt. 

Privates. — Alanson H. Adams (died of wounds), Marshall Barlow 
(killed in action), John Bassett, Charles H. Baxter, William E. Bough- 
ton (killed in action), Charles A. Bowker, John Bowker, George Brizzee, 
Charles W. Brown (wounded Dec. 27, 1864), James Bunker (wounded 



576 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

at Petersburg, June 17, 1864), Daniel D. Butts, William C. Butts, Will- 
iam Carl (died of wounds), Samuel Castle, Charles C. Church, William 
H. Clark, John Clow, Alex. Cook (killed in action), Edward G. Cook, 
Lucien S. Crandall, Allen H. Cronk, Harrison De Hart, Alex. Disbrow 
(wounded May 6, 1864), John Duffy, Emmett Dykeman, James W. 
Dykeman, Myron P. Ellis, Richard B. Ferris, Aaron Finch, Ezekiel 
Finch, David K. Ganoung, Lewis A. Gardner (died July 6, 1864), Le- 
roy Gordon, George L. Hall, Melvin R. Hayes, Alanson C. Heacox, 
Lawrence Holland, Arnold E. Horton, Burritt Humiston (killed June 
17, 1864), George R. Isbell, Charles S. Johnson, Isaac S. Johnson, 
Theodore Johnson, James H. Kennedy (killed in action May 12, 1864), 
Lorenzo Kilmer, Henry M. Kirby, John Kirby, Haviland Lester, Will- 
iam H. Lester, Alonzo D. Lewis, Warren Morey, Martin Murphy, Rob- 
ert Nelson (killed May 12, 1864), Franklin E. Newton, Spencer J. Olds, 
William B. Osgood, Henry R. Ostrander, John Outteson, George L. 
Parsons, Andrew M. Peck, William Pierson, Jerry Rogers, Stanley 
Scoville, Ichabod Sharp, Frank Smith, Heman R. Smith, Hiram D. 
Stoddard, Winfield S. Stone, Seymour S. Taft, John Toohey, Eugene 
A. Tyler, John W. Tyler. Peter Utter, Jesse Van Kuren (wounded May 
6, 1864), Darwin F. Vandenburg, Robert Vantassel, George L. Vroo- 
man, Daniel Walling, William Waterman, Orton Whitbeck, Daniel 
Wilbur, Monroe E. Wildey, Perry Wilder, William H. Wilder, Henry 
D. Williams. 

Colored Cooks. — James Brown, Richard Ennis, Sam Green, John 
Vincent. 

The following at one time were members of Co. D: James Egan, 
Noyes Morey, Andrew Murdock and Thomas Williams. 

MUSTER ROLL CO. E. 

Captains. — Edward L. Lewis, mustered out, Feb. 16, 1864; Oliver H. 
Millham, wounded at Wilderness, May 6, 1864; Moses B, Robbins, mus- 
tered out, Oct. 27, 1864. 

First Lieutenant. — Matthew Watson, mustered out, July 18, 1864. 

Second Lieutenants. — Richard McChristian, mustered out, Dec. 10, 
1863 ; Jesse A. Ashley. 

Sergeants. — Charles H. Peny, Daniel E. Burrows, Philip H. Coon, 
Henry L. Fowler, Julius T. Gleason, John Marquardt, Philip W. Tripp, 
William L Wilbur. 

Corporals. — Henry S.Adams (died May 28, 1864), Coles B. Aldrich 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 577 

(died June 18, 1864, of wounds received June 17), Charles A. Burrows 
(wounded June 17, 1864), Gilbert F. Capron, (wounded May 6, 1864), 
Edwin E. Chase, Abram Cline, Henry McClure, jr., William A. Miller, 
James Tackney, Jerome Twitchell, Milton D. Whitaker (wounded May 6, 
18G4). 

Musicians. — Edwin E. Cormick, William H. Hall, Andrew J. Whea- 
ton. 

Wagojiers. — Lyman B. Ward, William A. Corey. 

Privates. — James T. Alexander (died of sickness, July 9, 1864), Abram 
Allen (died of wounds), Charles N. Bacon (wounded), George W.Bacon, 
Robert Bartholomew, Lyman Blowers (wounded May 6, 1864), Harry V. 
Bogart (died June 18, 1864, of wounds received June 17), Larry D. Booth, 
Edward C. Brigham, Henry R. Burdick,Heber Canoll, Otis Capron, John 
Case, Austin Castle (killed in action, June 17, 1864), Wesley Cline, Will- 
iam Croft, Joseph Cronk, Martin Cummings, Robert B. Dibble, Charles 
Dickerman, Jacob F, Edick (wounded May 6, 1864), John P.Ellis, William 
Elwell (wounded May 6, 1864), Britton Faulkner, Edgar Freeman, James 
D. Gardinier (wounded June 17, 1864), Lyndon H.Goodnough, George S. 
Gregory, Charles Hall (captured June 17, 1864, died in Andersonville 
prison, Aug. 8, 1864), John Hall (captured June 17, 1864, died in Ander- 
sonville prison, Aug. 1, 1864), Rial D. Hardendorf (died of wounds re- 
ceived June 17, 1864), J. L. F. Havard (prom. 2d lieut. 28th U. S. Col. 
troops), Alva Heath, Isaac Hedgelin, Hiram H. Huntley, C. W. John- 
son (wounded Aug. 18, 1864), George W. Johnson, William Wallace 
Lamb (killed in action, June 17, 1864), Hiram Manning (wounded May 6, 
1864), John McAdam (wounded May 6, 1864), John McDaniel (died Feb. 
14, 1864), John McLaughlin (wounded July 17, 1864; prisoner July 30, 
1864; paroled Feb. 13, 1865), John N. McLaury (wounded May 6, 1864), 
George C. McClure, David W.Merrill (captured July 30, 1864; paroled; 
died March 22, 1865), Lucius H. Miller, William H. Minnick, Warren 
S. Mitchell, Marvin Monroe (died of wounds, June 26, 1864), Frank 
Myers (wounded June 17, 1864) Sidney Orford, Stephen H. Peckhara 
(killed June 17, 1864), Charles H. Pencil (died Feb. 19, 1863), Marcus 
W. Pierce, Ira J. Pollard, Aaron N. Remele (killed June 17, 1864), 
David Remele (died Aug. 18, 1864, of wounds), Edward Robinson 
(wounded June 17, 1864), John A. Robinson, Simeon Rockafellow, 
Benj. R. Russell, Gilbert B. Seeley (killed June 17, 1864), Lewis J. 
Simpkins, Hiram Stratton, Charles T. Swan, Preston J. Swan (wounded 
June 3, 1864), Cyrus P. Tarbox (died of wounds received June 17, 1864), 

37 



578 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Ebenezer O. Taylor, Oliver Thorp, Charles W. Underwood, Cornelius 
Van Order, Charles Weaver (killed on picket July 1, 18G4), Harvey H. 
Weed (killed June 17, 18G4), Nelson W. Whitaker (wounded June 17, 
1864), Thomas J. Whitaker, Fred Wilbur (wounded July 6, 1864), Hi- 
ram S. Wilbur, Perry P. Wilbur (died April 23, 1864), Stephen D. Wil- 
bur (wounded April 2, 1865), James M. Williams, Edgar Woolsey, Na- 
thaniel Wyant, Peter P. Youmans, Andrew M. Young (killed July 30, 
1864), Thomas E. Young. 

Henry J . Manier, William Osborn, Horace Shaw, Herbert Rollins, 
Harry Smith, Owen Kennedy, Daniel E. Thompson and Thomas J. 
Winship at one time were members of Co. E. 

MUSTER ROLL CO. H. 

Captains. — Austin W. Alvord, resigned Jan. 18, 1864; Evan R.Jones, 
prom, captain from 1st lieut. Feb. 13, 1864. 

First Lieutenants. — Evan R.Jones, prom, captain; John S. Giles, 
mustered Feb. 15, 1864; Ansel P. Coddington, prom, from 1st lieut. 
Dec. 19, 1864. 

Second Lieutenants. — John S. Giles, prom. 1st lieut ; Nathan W. 
Chandler, prom. 2d lieut. Feb, 15, 1864. 

Sergeants. — Charles Coffin, Frank L. Olmsted, Warren L. Ayer, 
Simeon T. Dorman, Henry C. Leach, Lucien H. Marshall, George W, 
Mayhew, Levi E. Potter, David Sherwood. 

Corporals. — George Arnold, Robinson W. Barton, Silas P. Barton, 
Laban J. Brown, Albert Chidester, Fred Dean, Joseph Dunbar, Jacob 
Engle, Almon W. Gould, James Lillie, George Manning, David C. 
Millen, James Shaughnessey, Uriah B. Stratton, James H. Wood. 

Musicians. — George W. Maloney, Charles E. Mayhew. 
Wagoner. — Chester Goodnough. 

Privates. — -Lewis Allen, Warren Allen (died March 16, 1864), William 
Anthony, John Barney, James K. Bates, Oscar F. Bennett, Alonzo 
Bills, Franklin Bills (wounded April 2, 1864; died). Nelson Bills, Jacob 
Boyce, Henry Brenner (killed June 17, 1864), David Brown, Frank G. 
Brown, James Brown (wounded July 30, 1864; died), Harrison H. Card 
(killed June 17, 1864), Darwin Carley, Charles S. Chase (prom. corp. ; 
missing May 12, 1864), Hiram F. Chiddester (killed May 12, 1864), 
David Clifford, John M. Clifford, Daniel F. Colburn, John Connelley, 
Hiram J. Cooper, Clarence E. Corbin, James M. Corey (died Dec. 7, 
1863), Darius Cortright (wounded June 17, 1864), Patrick Coslow 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 579 

(killed June 17, 1864), George W. Crosby (killed May 13, 1864), Samuel 
G. Clark (killed by accident, May 22, 1864), Asa Duell (wounded July 
9, 1864; died), Peter Dugan, Charles Dyer, Peter Dyer, Alfred Fair- 
banks (killed May 6, 1864), Charles F. Fairbanks, James Fessenden, 
Patrick Finn (wounded May 6, 1864), George Fox, James H. Fox, Ira 
E. Gager, William Gale (killed Aug. 9, 1864), Nelson L. Gowan, Thomas 
Grange, Nathan J. Green, Samuel Griswold (missing May 12, 1864), 
Ebenezer Guiles, William D. Hall, Hugh Hastings, Borden Hausner 
(wounded May 12, 1864), William Hillus, Orson C. Hodges, Charles 
Holbrook (wounded and prisoner May 12, 1864), Chauncey A. Hull 
(wounded May 12, 1864), James B. Innes, Watson Johnson, Joseph Jones 
(killed May 12, 1864), Pardon F. Jones, Pulaski Kent, Charles Lillie, Au- 
gustus Lutzen (killed July 30,1864), John E. Maloney, William J. Maloney 
(wounded and captured May 6, 1864; died of wounds), John McLaugh- 
lin (wounded May 12, 1864), Zadock Miles (died May 10, 1864), John 
Miller, James L. Moreton (prisoner July 30, 1864), Squire Moreton 
(missing May 12, 1864), Fred Morgan, Jacob Gates, Avery Olmsted, 
David Orford, Peter Patrie (killed May 12, 1864), Anson Phillips, John 
W. Pitcher, Jacob Saddlemire, Abram Schutt, Isaac Schutt, George V. 
Scoville, Philetus M. Shaw, Halsey Snook, Andrew J. Spratt, Bernard 
Stone (died April 27, 1864), Nelson Stone, William H. Stratton (killed 
May 6, 1864), John Thompson, Charles F. Thornton, Harvey J. Tracy, 
Joseph Trede (disch. for wounds), Abram Van Glone, Michael Van 
Clone, Peter Van Gorder (killed May 12, 1864), Herbert B. Vincent, 
Peter B. West, William Wilcox, Benj. Whittemore (killed May 12, 
1864), Alvah Wood, Enos V. Wood, Alonzo E.Wright, Samuel Wright. 

Colored Cooks. — Wesley Holland, William Russell, William Washing- 
ton, John Williams. 

The names of Barton L, Bennett, James O. Dowd, William Grange 
and George N. Weeks may be mentioned as having at one time been 
members of the company. 

Broome county also was represented by a sprinkling of men in other 
companies of the 109th, as follows: 

Company i>.— Corporal Edward L. Ballard and privates John W. 
Ballard, John O. Ballard, and Gardner Ballard. 

Company C— Privates James G. Hinds and James H. Hinds. 

Company /.—Privates Almerin D. Hazard, Fernando Richards and 
James A. Shuman. 

Company iiT.— Corporal George N. Drake and privates Caleb M. Allen, 
Albert W. Crandall, Edward B . Georgia and Erastus Rice. 



580 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY. 

On August 31, 1862, the day following that on which the 109th regi- 
ment left for Washington, Captain David Ireland, of the loth U. S. in- 
fantry received authority to recruit another regiment of infantry in the 
24th senatorial district of the state. The enthusiasm created by the 
rapid filling of the ranks of the 109th seems to have extended through- 
out the region, for in less than one month Capt. Ireland had secured a 
full quota of men for the 137th, and was ready for service. The troops 
rendezvoused on the camping grounds formerly occupied by their com- 
rades of the 109th, and there they were drilled and otherwise schooled 
in the arts of war. The regiment was mustered in the service of the 
United .States for three years, Sept. 25 and 26, 1862. The counties 
contributing to the original strength of the command were Broome, 
Tioga and Tompkins, but in December, 1864, a company of recruits 
from Elmira, mustered in for one year, joined the regiment at Savan- 
nah, Ga., and became Co. L. 

The companies comprising the 137th were recruited as follows: A at 
Binghamton and Sanford; B at Binghamton, Chenango, Conklin, Kirk- 
wood, Richford, Union and Windsor; C at Owego; D at Ithaca; E at 
Binghamton, Chenango, Lisle, Maine, Triangle, Union and Whitney's 
Point; F at Binghamton, Colesville, Chenango, Conklin, Kirkwood, 
Port Crane, Sanford and Windsor; G at Berkshire, Richford, Newark 
Valley, Caroline, Groton and Candor; H at Spencer, Barton, Candor 
and Owego; I at Ulysses, Newfield and Ithaca; K at Groton, Danby 
and Caroline; and L, the recruit company, at Elmira. 

So far as the Broome county contingent of the 137th was concerned, 
the men averaged older than those of the 109th, yet they were not one 
whit less zealous and loyal than their brothers of the other command. 
It was well, too, that the 137th was largely made up of men in the full 
strength of manhood, for the active, constant service of the regiment 
called it into no less than seven southern states, where it experienced 
all the vicissitudes to which soldiers could be subjected, and at times 
suffered hardships which only the stoutest hearts and strongest consti- 
tutions could withstand. Indeed at one time nearly 400 of the men 
were prostrated with typhoid fever, and during the entire period of its 
service the regiment lost by death from disease a total of 4 officers and 
165 enlisted men. More than that, the 137th participated in a greater 
nuniber of engagements than any infantry regiment recruited in Broome 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 581 

county, and covered a wider range of territory in its marches than some 
of the cavalry regiments in the service. 

The regiment left the state September 27, 1862, and served in the 
3d brigade, 2d division, of the 12th corps, from September 30 to April, 
1864, taking part in the operations in West Virginia, Virginia, Penn- 
sylvania, Maryland and Tennessee previous to Sherman's "march to 
the sea," in which it also participated. From April, 1864, to the end 
of its service the fortunes of the regiment were cast with the 20th corps. 
On January 9, 1865, then under command of Col. Koert S. Van Voorhis, 
originally lieutenant-colonel, the regiment was honorably discharged 
and mustered out of service near Bladensburg, Md. 

A more extended history of the 137th is not deemed necessary to this 
chapter, yet the best narrative of events of its experiences is told by 
the list of engagements in which it took part. During its service the 
regiment lost from all causes a total of 10 officers and 281 enlisted men, 
of whom 8 enlisted men died in the hands of the enemy. 

The battles of the 137th were: 

Near Ripon, Va., Nov. 9, 1862; Charlestown, W.Va., Dec. 2,1862; 
Dumfrees, Va., Dec. 27, 1862; Chancellorsville, May 1-3, 1863; Gettys- 
burg, Pa., July 1-3, 1863, total loss 137; Williamsport, Md., July 11-12, 
1863; Wauhatchie, Tenn., Oct. 28-29, 1863. loss 90; Chattanooga and 
Rossville campaign, Nov. 23-28, 1863, loss 38; Lookout Mountain, Nov. 
24, 1863; Missionary Ridge, Nov. 25, 1863; Ringgold Gap, Ga., Nov. 
27, 1863; Atlanta campaign, May 5-Sept. 2, 1864; Rocky Faced Ridge, 
May 8-10, 1864; Resaca, May 14-15, 1864; Dallas, May 25-June 4, 
1864; Kenesaw Mountain, June 9-July 2, 1864; Pine Mountain, June 
15, 1864; Golgotha, June 16-17, 1864; Marietta road, June 21, 1864; 
Gulp's farm, June 22, 1864; the assault, June 27, 1864; crossing of Peach 
Tree creek, July 19, 1864; Peach Tree creek, July 20, 1864; Atlanta, 
July 21-Aug. 26, 1864; Gen. Sherman's Savannah campaign, Ga., Nov. 
15-Dec 21, 1864; march co the sea, Nov. 15-Dec. 10, 1864; Savannah, 
Dec. 10-20, 1864; campaign of the Carolinas, Jan. 26-April 26, 1865; 
Lexington Court house, Feb. 15, 1865; Averasboro, March 16, 1865; 
Bentonville, March 19-20, 1865; Raleigh, April 23, 1865; Bennett house, 
April 26, 1865. 

In explanation of the incompleteness of the appended muster rolls 
the statement may be made that during the period of its service the 
137th received many recruits in addition to its original membership, of 
whom no account or mention is made in this chapter. Unfortunately 



582 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

the regimental roster has not been compiled by the military authorities 
of the state, hence in the present connection we can furnish only the 
names of original members of the several companies recruited in Broome 
county. The personnel also of the field and staff was changed, but 
owing to the causes mentioned the full roster thereof cannot be fur- 
nished, 

ROSTER, FIELD AND STAFF. 

Colonel, David Ireland ; lieut. -colonel, Koert S. Van Voorhis; major, 
Westel Willoughby; adjutant, Charles E. Barto; quartermaster, Ed- 
ward B. Stephens; surgeon, Dr. John M. Farrington; Istasst. surgeon, 
S. M. Ward; sergt. -major, Joseph B. Abbott; quartermaster sergt., 
Frederic W. Burton; hosp. steward, Hiram W. Bishop; com. sergt., 
John J. Cantine; paymaster, Albert G. Spafford. 

MUSTER ROLL CO. A. 

Captain, Frederick A. Stoddard; first lieut., George C. Owen; 2d 
lieut., Frederick M. Hallock; sergeants, Russell B. Merriam, Denni- 
son E. Vining, Warren E. Robinson, William Humphrey, Spencer 
Clark; corporals, James Watrous, Jacob C. Butcher, Stephen D. Mer- 
rihew, Leonard Durham, Peter Vosburg, Lucian Vining, Christian 
Neff, John T. Boker; musicians. Clarendon B. Taft, Levi Pierce; wag- 
oner, William N. Floyd. 

Privates. — Squires S. Burrows, James A, Burrows, Edward M. Bridg- 
man, George H. Broughton, David Brasee, Henry H. Babcock, Elijah 
S. Couch, Marshall Craver, Albert Craver, Charles A. Donley, Isaac 
Craver, John Holland, Andrew Holland, Dennis Heath, Alfred House, 
David Hempsted, Richard Hall, Melville R. Hall, Elias Harder, Henry 
N. Hine, Jacob Hilligus, Peter Hill, Daniel Hogan, Martin L. Ingham, 
Lewis Jaycox, Charles Jones, George W. Kroft, Isaac Kroft, Clark W. 
Laflin, Francis C. Luscom'b, Robert A. Luscomb, William O. Leonard, 
William H. McClure, Charles McHugh, Orrin Maflfett, Philander Marks, 
Richard Monroe, Joseph S. Miller, John Newlove, WilHam H. Plain, 
Samuel Peck, Tomas Potts, Nelson L. Palmatier, Daniel Prentice, 
Jacob E. Potts, William G. Reynolds, John H. Rick, Edward A. Ross, 
John D. Rush, Edward A. Rector, Richard W. Rush, William D. Rush, 
William D. Salisbury, Leander M. Salisbury, Harrison Slack, Edward 
Sweet, Selden Stiles, Turner Stiles, John Silvernail, Benj. Strong, Dean 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 588 

Swift, vSylvanus Travis, John C. Travis, Daniel Travis, Jacob Thomp- 
son, Amos Thornton, Pardon Tabor, Charles Updegrove, Hiram Wil- 
bur, George C. Whitaker, James E. Young. 

MUSTER ROLL — CO. B. 

Captain, Henry H. Davis; first lieut., Asa C. Gale; second lieut., 
Owen J. Sweet; sergeants, Samuel A. Smith, Charles H. Williams, 
Benj. F. Newman, Harper G.Andrews, Ransom Y. Hazard; corporals, 
William M. Spoor, George W. Buchanan, George Burge, Daniel W. 
Cline, Espy C. Stuart, Benj. F. Mason, Cornelius Ackley; musician, 
Francis Burlison; wagoner, Emmet L. Potter. 

Privates. — Austin Barney, John J. Briggs. Elias Brink, Gilbert L. 
Bennett, James C. Batcher, William Brink, Sylvester Bennett, Erastus 
Bronk, William J. Bronk, John Cox, Ephraim Cline, Charles N. Covert, 
Eli C. Caster, John R. Comfort, Admiral T. Coon, James Dora, Hiram 
Doone, Ambrose Davidson, Ambrose T. Eggleston, Charles Engle, Al- 
bert Fox, Thomas J. Finch, M. C. Flint, Sabin Gray, Hiram T. Gray, 
John Garry, William Fitzgerald, Charles Hawkins, Mark Hall, Vict. 
Holcomb, Edson Hayes, John C. Ham, Morgan Heath, Edward Hayes, 
Calvin W. Herring, Peter W. Hyde, Henry R. Hyde, Henry J. Jossett, 
Henry Kells, James Kells, Albert Knapp, Andrew Looks, Peter Lawler, 
Owen McGrimes, James H. Muller, Benj. S. Mowrey, Joseph B. Masten, 
Anthony Masten, Egbert W. Mullin, Dudley Mersereau, Frederick D. 
North, Wm. Nickson, Henry Nickson, George Perkins, George Phillips, 
Le Roy Parsons, OscarReynolds, John Reynolds, Jacob Randall, Thomas 
J. Standley,Wm. T. Sutliff, Wesley H. Snook, Martin V. Snook, Chaun- 
cey Snedeker, Joseph B. Sherwood, Ezra B. Spoor, Wallace Soper, Cadez 
V. Stevens, Thomas Somerton, Foster R. Scudder, Henry E. Schouter, 
Romaine Stevens, Henry Scoville, Charles St. Clair, Leroy Titus, Pus- 
ey Tilbury, James W. Tripp, James Tarbox, Whipple Tarbox, Lyman 
Wooster, Colvin Wales, Hiram D. Wood, Nelson Youngs. 

MUSTER ROLL — CO. E. 

Captain, Milo B. Eldridge; first lieut., Cornelius E. Dunn; second 
lieut., George J. Spencer; sergeants, James E. Gleason, Henry S. Har- 
per, Van Ness McNeil, Horace L. Smith, Eugene L. Edmonston; 
corporals, Willard Gotcheus, James H. Siver, Hendrick J. Smith, Eli 
B. Black, William B. Morgan, Charles A. Tompkins, James L. Hyde, 



584 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

Frederick C. Andrews; musicians, Richard D. Barry; Almon Spring- 
steen. 

Privates. — Nelson F. Adams, Peleg Andrews, C. Perry Ashley, Will- 
iam S. Brown, William Barber, Francis J. Bolster, William H. Bristol, 
Nelson Baird, Justin Briggs, John Conrad, De Witt Cross, Morris P. Co- 
nine, Charles H. Crandall, Henry E. Copeley, Harrison Crandall, James 
Cram, Hugh H. Cunningham, Thomas Dunlap, Nathaniel Eaton, Fran- 
cis E. English, Henry E. Everett, John Fitzgerald, John Fach, Clement 
French, Andrew B. Holt, Andrew Hand, Daniel W. Howland, Ralph 
Hoag, Augustus Hinsdale, John Howard, George W. Henyon, Henry 
Johnson, Philo Kelsey, Rudolph Knickerbocker, Job F. Keeler, Charles 
Lewis, Jacob Lown, Samuel R. Lusk, Harrison Monroe, Francis Monroe, 
George B. Morgan, Augustus Matthewson, Richard Miller, Michael Mc- 
Devitt, George Matthewson, Dallas Norton, Darius Orton, James L. 
Pierce, Ira B. Preston, Orlando W. Perry, Abner B. Palmer, AValter R. 
Page, William Rittenburg, Philip H. Palmer, George H. Potter, William 
Rittenberg, jr. , Henry D. Rummer, Orrin L. Rummer, Walter Rood, 
Erastus B. Rood, Gershom G. Randall, Alonzo Swift, William H. Slack, 
Oscar L. Severson, James Sweet, Anson Stanley, Nelson Simmons, John 
A. Sigler, Frederick F, Twining, John C. Thompson, Martin H. Ter- 
williger, James H.Tompkins, John Topping, Selah W.Talmadge, George 
N. West, Phineas Wooster, William H. Warner, Junius E. Washburne, 
Robbins Warner, Consider M. Yarnes, John W. Young. 

MUSTER ROLL CO. F, 

Captain, Henry W. Shipman; first lieut., William N. Sage; second 
lieut., Marsh^iU Corbett; sergeants, John Van Emburg, Lysander Well- 
man, William N. Dodge, Isaac Aldrich, Orange W. Emmons; corporals, 
William G. Cresson, John Hanley, Oscar F. Nolan, Marvin D. Mattoon, 
Aaron Benn, Joel Butler, Samuel S. Vosburg, Riley W. Hines; musi- 
cians. Perry M. Winans, John B. Wilcox; wagoner, Joseph Laycox. 

Privates — Fountain H. Ackert, James A. Ainsworth, Calvin Baker, 
Thomas-Brady, Darwin Bagley, Elisha Burgdorf, Jas. C. Burgdorf, Jas. 
Broadfoot, Henry C. Bayless, Burtis J. Bayless, Hiram Bullock, Joel 
Brown, Alfred Bacon, Robt. D. Cresson, Jas. L. Cresson, Daniel B.Coller, 
Wm. H. Cash, Jos. P. Crumb, Cornelius Crannel, David Durand, George 
W. Doolittle, Edgar R. Elwell, John H. Eggleston, Thomas Eggleston, 
George Fosgate, Luther Frink, William H. Green, Smith Howe, George 
W. Hunter, Elijah Hawkins, James Hanley, Peter Hawver, Harvey M. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 585 

Holmes, Albert Hughes, Newton Hunt, James H.Harris, Zadock Hiney, 
Ira S. Jeffers, Orrin Jenks, William Jenks, George W. Kilburn, Thomas 
Kargan, Milton Knox, Eugene A. Masten, George L. Muckey, David 
H. Monroe, Spicer W. Mattison, Horace W. Nichols, MaloneJ. Pardee, 
Eli Prentice, Reuben Porter, William A. Scofield, Samuel Scoville, 
Franklin Scoville, Robert W. Smith, Robert W. Spearbeck, Zerah 
Spaulding, Wilsey Spaulding, William Seneca, Theodore Spinning, 
William J. Smith, Daniel D. Spenning, Henry Topping, Oliver A. 
Tuttle, Willard B. Truesdell, Henry Van Buren, James W. Van Auken, 
Henry I. Van Ness, Hamilton Van Ness, Levi Vosburg, Colby Wells, 
Robert H. Winner, Eli E. Watrous, Sherman K.Watrous, John Wode- 
man, Henry Wellman, Brundage H. Welton, William W. Wheeler, Ed- 
win Wright, William H. Young, George Young. 

In Co. G the county was represented by privates Samuel Gripman, 
Charles A. Seaman, Levi Tracy. 

In Co. H the county was represented by privates William W. Bartoo, 
David Phelps, Luke S. Searles, Frederick Guile. 

ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIRST INFANTRY. 

This command, which was commonly known as the " Steuben county 
regiment," was recruited by Col. Gabriel P. Harrower, who received 
authority therefor in September, 1862. The strength of the command 
was drawn chiefly from Steuben county, although other counties con- 
tributed portions of several companies. Broome county's contingent 
comprised about 25 men in Co. E, who came from Binghamton, Che- 
nango and Colesville, and about 36 men in Co. G, who were recruited 
in Binghamton by 1st Lieut. John P. Worthing. 

The 161st was organized in Elmira, and there was mustered in the 
service for three years, Oct. 27, 1862. It left the state, Dec. 4, and 
served in Grover's division, department of the gulf, taking part in the 
operations in the extreme south, and losing more heavily by death 
from exposure, malaria, fever and kindred hardships than by contend- 
ing against the confederacy. In fact during its service the regiment 
lost by death, killed in action, one officer and 32 enlisted men, of 
wounds received in action, 23 enlisted men ; of disease and other causes, 
250 enlisted men. 

The battles of the 161st were: 

Clinton Plank road, La., March 15, 1863; Plain Store, May 21, 1863; 
siege of Port Hudson, May 23-June 17, 1863; Bayou la Forche, July 



586 BINGHAMTON ITS SETTLEMENT, 

13, 1863; Sabine Pass, Texas, Sept. 3, 1863; Vermilion Bayou, Oct. 9, 
1863; Carrion Crow Bayou, Oct. 11, 1863; Vermilion Bayou, Nov. 11, 
1863; Red River campaign, March 12-May 22, 1864; Sabine cross 
roads, April 8, 1864; Pleasant Hill, April 9, 1864; Crane river crossing, 
April 23, 1864; Mansura, May 16, 1864; Spanish Fort, Ala., March 27- 
30, 1865; Fort Blakely, April 3-9, 1865; Mobile, April 10, 1865. 

MUSTER ROLL CO. E. 

Sergeants. — Gurdon Mansel, David Lockwood; corporal, David Gage. 

Privates. — John Banker, Wyant Boughton, Oliver C. Conklin, Rufus 
Edson, Abram Forker, Cornelius Forker, George Folmsbee, Lorenzo 
Ferguson, Ezra Jay, Elisha Kilmer, Morgan L. Killmore, Peter Kill- 
more, Ezra A. Killmore, Robert M. Reynolds, Merritt Stanton, Elisha 
S. Tuttle, Augustus T. Van Nortvvick, David Wagoner, George Young. 

MUSTER ROLL CO. G. 

First lieut., John P. Worthing; second lieut., John Jay; sergeant, 
David Mersereau; corporals, Daniel S. Crannell, William Landon. 

Privates. — Patrick E. Brown, James Cooney, Cornelius Carmody, 
William De Geus, Elias De Geus, Garrett Derrick, Isaac H. Griffith, 
George W. Hill, John Henyon, David Henyon, John S. Hill, James 
Layton, John A. Landon, Nelson Lathrop, Frederick Larabee, William 
Murphy, George A. Murphy, Charles McNarey, Benj. C. Newcomb, 
Samuel F. Newcomb, Mandeville Ostrander, William H. Ostrander, 
Benj. F. Roselle, John Stoddard, Thomas Spaulding, Anson Spaulding, 
Jacob Swartwood, Charles E. Sickles, Alfred O. Spaulding, William 
Taylor, Burnham Webster. 

ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY. 

This command, which previously was the 19th regiment of the Na- 
tional Guard, was offered for nine months service in the fall of 1862; 
and the offer having been accepted by the governor. Col. William R. 
Brown was directed to recruit the regiment to its full strength. The 
companies, except K, were mustered in service, Jan. 23, 1863, and were 
mustered out, Oct. 31 of the same year. 

In the composition of the companies four recruits from Lisle were in 
Co. A; eighteen from Binghamton, Lisle and Union were in Co. H, 
and three men, whose towns are not mentioned, were in Co. K. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 58t 

The service of the regiment began at Yorktown, Va., in Busteed's 
brigade, 1st division, 4th corps, and closed as a part of the second bri- 
gade, 2d division, 11th corps. The losses were small, aggregating thirty- 
eight men. The battles of the 168th were: 

Walkertown, Va., May 28 and June 6, 1863; Yorktown, June 9, 1863. 

The Lisle men in Co. A were Harvey N. Rowland, Albertus S. Ken- 
yon, Stephen Sturtevant, Abram R. Wilds and John Warner. 

In Co. H the county's contribution comprised corporals Isaac Aller- 
ton and Benjamin T. Wright, and privates Charles H. Burr, Milton 
Bostwick, Burritt Brown, James Bevier, Charles E. Dawson, James M, 
Emerson, Henry W. Fairchild, James F. Green, Martin F. Green, John 
C. Hogg, Albert Hotchkiss, Bruce B. Ketchum, Edmund Livermore, 
George E. Overhiser, Albert Remsen and Edward Tarbell. 

In Co. K the Broome soldiers were George A Bishop, John C. Free- 
man and James S. Sanders. 

ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-NINTH INFANTRY. 

Broome county furnished about fifty men for Co. K of the 179th 
regiment, the recruits coming from the towns of Sanford, Vestal, Union 
and Port Crane. The other half of the company came from Tioga 
county. The regiment was organized at Elmira, and was mustered in 
service for three years except Cos. I and K, which were mustered for 
only one year. 

The command left the state in detachments and served with the Army 
of the Potomac, chiefly in the 9th corps. Its losses from all causes ag- 
gregated 191 men, showing that while the period of ite service may 
have been comparatively brief it was nevertheless severe. 

The battles of the 179th were: 

Cold Harbor, June 11-12, 1864; before Petersburg, June 16, 1864, 
and April 2, 1865; assault of Petersburg, June 16-19, 1864; mine ex- 
plosion, July 30, 1864; Poplar Spring Church, Sept. 29-Oct. 2, 1864; 
Hatcher's Run, Oct. 27-28, 1864; Fort Stedman, March 25, 1865; Ap- 
pomattox campaign, March 28-April 8, 1865; fall of Petersburg, April 
2, 1865. 

MUSTER ROLL — CO. K. 

Captain, William H. Van Benschoten; first lieut., Robert E. Hooper; 
privates David W. Axtell, Charles S. Alexander, Abram Bennett, 
Charles Baker, Allen Benjamin, Horace Cornelius, Squire H. Cook, 



588 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

Elanson Conrow, Arthur A. Cramer, James R. Decker, Daniel Dodge, 
John B. Fisher, Isaac Foster, Nathan W. Gilbert, Warren Goodnough, 
Edward Higbee, Isaac B. Hill, Chas. W. Johnson, Richard M. Johnson, 
Russell McKinney, Huston McKinney, Chauncey McDonald, Theodore 
F. McDonald, Henry D. Morse, Warren A. Newman, Wallace B. New- 
man, Joseph G. Prentice, Wilbur Pitkin, Frank Paisley, William Pang- 
burn, Francis Porter, David Ramey, Levi F. Stiles, Charles W. Star- 
bird, Ebenezer Swartwood, Anson O. Swartwood, Miles P. Squires, 
William M. Townsend, Alanson J. Vail, James Vandemark, Beniah 
M. Vandemark, Manley Westcott, Rozelle A. Wright, Starr T. Wright, 
Abner D. Welch. 

MISCELLANEOUS INFANTRY REGIMENTS. 

The i^ph Infantry. — This command was raised in the late summer 
of 1862 by Col. Robert P. Hughston, and was mustered in the service 
for three years Sept. 27. Asst. Surgeon Oliver P. Bundy, several of 
the company officers, and 16 of the enlisted men, were recruited in 
Broome county. The service of the regiment was chiefly in the de- 
partment of the south, and during the period of its enlistment the losses 
aggregated 218 officers and men. 

The Broome county contingent served in Co. A, and was as follows: 

Assistant surgeon, Oliver P. Bundy. 

Company A. — 1st lieut., R. Harper Evans; 2d lieut., Alfred E. Heath; 
sergeants, Henry W. Wilcox, De Witt C. Mayo, Charles M. Hathaway, 
Gerritt S. Ward, George Miner; corporals, William N. Dean, George 
W. Jackson, James Turner, Wellington Dan. 

Privates. — Henry W. Banks, George E. Caswell, Ira B. Davis, Henry 
Dibble, James Fletcher, William H. Flint, John F. Hewitt, William E. 
Huyck, George J. Huyck, James N. Love, John McComb, Abram O. 
Moore, Ambrose B. Moore, Benj. Reynolds, John Swart, Le Roy Tomp- 
kins. 

The i^ith Infantry. — This command was recruited in the fall of 1862 
by Col. William M. McEvily, and came chiefly from the vicinity of 
New York and Long Island. Co. F was recruited in New York city and 
Binghamton, the Broome county contingent comprising nearly all the 
company officers and 23 of the men. The regiment served wholly in 
the department of Virginia, under various brigade, division and corps 
commanders. In many respects the 155th was a notable command, 
and became known as the " Corcoran Brigade," and also as " The Irish 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 539 

Legion." It was mustered in the service in November, 18G2, served 
with great credit nearly three years, and was mustered out June 15, 
1865, having lost an aggregate of 189 officers and men. 

MUSTER ROLL CO. F. 

Captain, W. S. Schuyler; 1st lieut., Thomas Hart; 2d lieut., Michael 
O'Connell; sergeants, Melvin A. Newman, Louis Bally, Thomas Mat- 
thews; corporals, Anthony Gillespie, Michael Golden, Daniel Hartnett, 
Wilson Gleason; musician, Rodney B. Hill. 

Privates. — George Ackley, James Brannan, Daniel Buell, Patrick P. 
Cunningham, Patrick Clancy, George W. Cook, John Crow, Stephen 
Davenport, Patrick Donnelly, Patrick Donoghue, William Donoghue, 
Andrew Ferry, John Gougheny, James B. Golden, John Gordon, Roger 
Kain, Thomas Killean, Patrick Liddy, Christopher Martin, William 
McConnell, Henry Morris, Judson Mulineau, James B. Murray, Thomas 
O'Dowd, William Perrigo, John Reed, Michael Shanahan, John Stoik- 
holm, Michael Sullivan, Pierre Tisson, Michael Wall, John Fits Morris, 
John Heary. 

The ^ist Infantry. — In this command, the "Cromwellian " regiment, 
were two Broome county recruits — James Lull and Thomas Wilbur — 
in Co. D. and William J. Lusk in Co. E. 

The Eighty-sixth infantry contained four Broome county recruits: 
Henry H. Blossom, George Hewitt, John Hewitt and George H. Sny- 
der, all of Co. H. 

SIXTEENTH INDEPENDENT BATTERY, LIGHT ARTILLERY- 
VETERAN. 

Captain Milo W. Locke received authority to recruit this battery, and 
drew its strength from the towns of Broome county ; and in allusion to 
the distinguished citizen, patriot and statesman— Daniel S. Dickinson — 
it took the name of " Dickinson light artillery." The battery was re- 
cruited and rendezvoused in Binghamton, occupying quarters during 
the early part of the winter of 1861-2 in the paper mill building which 
once stood at the south end of the bridge across the Susquehanna con- 
necting East Court street (now Tompkins street) with the north side 
of the river. In the early part of 1862 the battery left for Washington, 
and there was mustered into service for three years, March 27, 1862, to 
date from Dec. 10, 1861. 

The story of the services of the 16th is well told by one of the best 



590 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

militar}^ authorities of the state as follows: '* Served at and near Wash- 
ington, and in the artillery camp of instruction, 23d corps, from March, 
1862; at Suffolk, Va , 7th corps, from April 19, 1863; at Yorktown,Va., 
in 7th corps, from June, 1863; at Newport News from November, 1863; 
in the artillery brigade, 18th corps, from June, 1864; with the 10th corps 
in August, 1864; with the 18th corps in September, 1864; in the artil- 
lery brigade of the 24th corps, and with the 2d division, from Decem- 
ber, 1864; in the provisional corps from March, 1865; in the 10th corps, 
Army of the Ohio, from April 2, 1865. On July 6, 1865, under com- 
mand of Capt. Richard H. Lee, it was honorably discharged and mus- 
tered out of service at Elmira; having during its term of service lost 
by death from disease and other causes 45 enlisted men." 

The battles of the 16th were: 

Siege of Suffolk, Va., April 19-May 4, 1863; Steamer Smith Briggs, 
April 14, 1863; South Quay bridge, May 1, 1863; before Petersburg, 
June 15, 1864; assault of Petersburg, June 15-17, 1864; Chaffin's farm, 
Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 1864; Darbytown, Oct. 27-29, 1864; Fort Fisher, N.C., 
Jan. 15, 1865; Cape Fear entrenchments, Feb. 11-12, 1865; Port An- 
derson, Feb. 18-20, 1855; near Wilmington, Feb. 22, 1865; campaign 
of the Carolinas, March l-April 26, 1865; Bennett House, April 26, 
1865. 

MUSTER ROLL 16tH IND. BATTERY. 

Captains. — Milo W. Locke, res. Jan. 15, 1863; Frederick L. Hiller, 
prom. capt. Feb. 16, 1863; Richard H. Lee, prom. capt. May 13, 1864. 

First Lieutenatits. — Henry C. Jackson, res. Jan. 15, 1863; William P. 
Northrup, prom. 1st lieut. Feb. 17, 1863; Frank H. Gould, prom. 1st 
lieut. July 20, 1863; Thomas Moses, mustered as 1st lieut. Dec. 7, 1864; 
Henry Woolworth, prom. 1st lieut. Jan. 2, 1865. 

Second Lieutenants — Richmond Henshaw, res. April 21, 1862; George 
W. Powers, disch. Sept. 17, 1862; Robert P. Smith, prom. 2d lieut. 
April 10, 1863; Daniel F. Allen, prom. 2d lieut. April 16, 1863; Lewis 
P. Northrup, prom. 2d lieut. Jan. 25, 1865; Adelbert C. Fassett, prom. 
2d lieut. May 7, 1865. 

Sergeants. — ^\\X\2im P. Northrup, James H. Bills, Robert V. Bogart, 
John Brockham, Samuel Chase, Thomas Collins, William M. Hiller, 
James L. Lewis, George McCoppen, Enos Norton, John C. Oliver, John 
Siller, Josiah V. Simmons. 

Sergeant -Major. — Josiah V. Simmons, prom, from sergeant. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 591 

Quartermaster Sergeants. — Frank H. Gould, Orville D. Pratt, Will- 
iam H. Quaife, 

Corporals. — Jacob Barker, Stephen L. Bone, jr., William J. Bowen, 
Henry Woolworth, William R. Brooks, George R. Carman, Philip Car- 
rigan, Robert Gary, Sylvester L. French, Cassius Gray, William B. 
Hayes, Josiah Kieth, Urias Krom, Benona Lewis, Orson W. Mayhew, 
William Moses, Benjamin F. Osborn, Stephen Pangburn, Jared Stow- 
ell, Timothy Sullivan, James A. Tripp, Philip Tw^ining. 

Buglers. — Lyman B. Gray, George W. Rogers, David W. Stevens, T, 
Fenner Brown. 

Artificers. — William W. Alexander, Austin Ayers, James G. Bailey, 
Isaac Y. Kniffin, Henry Hasten, John M. Rose, George W. Rowe. 
Wagoners. — John S. Hinds, Peter Quinn. 

Privates. — John Agan, Andrew J. Allen, William B. Allen, Jesse 
Ames, Frank Amsden, Auer S. Arnold, Charles N. Baker, Judson Balch, 
Geo. N. Balcom, Chas. D. Ball, Silas P. Barton, Edwin S. Bauder, Jared 
F. Bauder, Wm. F. Bean, John A. Bedell, Albert R. Benjamin, Canfield 
Benson, Isaac Benson, Loyal A. Bigelow, Geo. Billings, Martin Billings, 
Henry Blair, Clark Bostwick, Milton Bostwick, Albert Boughton, 
Charles Boughton, Charles H. Bradbury, Cyrus Bradford, Cornelius 
Brooks, Matthew Brooks, Edward Brown, Frank Brown, Joseph E. 
Brown,' William Brown, William Brown (2d), Clark D. Bryant, George 
S. Bryant, Rufus O. Bryant, Albert Burger, Charles Burns, Stephen J. 
Burns, Elisha A. Burrows, Henry Bush, Irving W. Butler, Benson 
Canfield, Peter Cannon, Darwin Carley, Isaac Carmack, Alexander 
Carman,' Leander Carman, John Carney, Michael Chandler, Xavier 
Charton, Thos. S. Chase, Enoch Chidester, Bostwick Clark, Geo. Clark, 
Wm. H.Clark, Alexander Cole, Calvin C.Cole,GideonL.Colegrove, Henry 

Cooledge, Philip Carrigan, Jefferson C. Cortright, Albert A. Crawford, 
William 'crofts, Charles H. Grouse, Wellington Dan, Patrick Darcy, 
Albert Darling, George S. Davis, William De Garamo, Patrick Denehal, 
Henry T Dibble, William Dickinson, Lansing E. Disbrow, Alexander 
Drum Ira R Duley, William Dunn, John Dwyer, Alexander Dyer, 
Elijah W Easterbrook, Frank Eastman, John W. Eggleston, David 
Evans, Moses C. Everett, Charles S. Everson, George H. Fancher, 
John Farrell, Lyman Fenn, David Fish, Edgar Fish, Madison Fitch, 
Fletcher Foster, Orange Fowler, Ferris A. Freeman, Frank G. Fuller 
Silas M. Gage, Isaac B. Gaige, Willam Garagan, Ezra Garner, Patrick 
Gateley, John Gaugherty, William L. Gere, William German, Charles 



593 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

Gibson, Robert Gilmore, James Graham, Frederick Guiles, William H. 
Hall, Patrick Hallinan, Silas D. Hand, John A. Harris, James Hatha- 
way, John Hayden, Levi Hazel, Thomas Heffron, Robert N. Hender- 
son, Edwin Hewitt, Edgar Holcomb, George E. Hollenbeck, James 
Horgan, Philander Houghtaling, George T. House, Uriel A. Howard, 
Charles W. Jackson, James A. Jackson, Joseph O. Jackson, Charles W. 
Japhet, Henry A. Jay, William S. Jay, Walter Jinners, Andrew John- 
son, Frank B. Johnson, Nahan A. Johnson, Richard M. Johnson, John 
Jones, Byron O. June, Alva Kark, Thomas W. Keaton, Lucius A. 
Kieth, Martin Kennedy, Moses Kierton, George F. Kimble, Thomas 
King, Horace Knight, Silas Krom, Frank E. Landers, Henry D. Lan- 
ders, Frederick Larabee, John Layton, Jonathan F. Leitch, Chester T. 
Leonard, John B. Leonard, Thomas Letson, Hiram Lewis, Jabez Lewis, 
James Long, George A. Loomis, Nelson Lord, Lewis Lowenthal, Will- 
iam H Mace, Porter Mallory, Iram Manchester, John Manuel, Ebene- 
zer H. Martin, Frederick Martin, Hiram C. Martin, Joseph Martin, 
Thomas Martin, Franklin B. Mason, David Mason, Loraine T. Mason, 
William McConnell, Reuben McDaniel, James McDaniels, Michael 
McDevitt, Owen McGaughran, Charles McMahon, Eleazer Meacham, 
Jack Merrill, James A. Miller, John Miller, John Miller, jr., Myron 
Miller, Chester A. Minkler, Michael Mooney, Rufus H. Morey, Smith 
B. Morey, Stark N. Morse, Enos Morton, Edwin Mosher, Smith B. 
Mowry, Thomas Multha, Andrew Munson, Patrick Murphy, George 
Myrick, Charles A. Narsh, Frank E. Northrup, Thomas Nowland, Wal- 
ter G. Olmstead, Arthur O'Neil, Orson A. Owen, Newell S. Paddle- 
ford, Jacob K. Paige, Nathan L. Perry, Phinnan Phillips, Chauncey 
Pierce, Seneca Pollard, Ira P. Pratt, Joseph P. Pullis, Henry H. Rad- 
ney, Edward Record, Menville Rhinevault, Phineas H. Rierson, Da- 
vid H. Roberts, Isaac Robinson, Isaac Robinson (2d), John Robinson, 
Charles W. Rodgers, Garrett Rozelle, Jeremiah Rozelle, William H. H-. 
Rozelle, Elias D. Rummer, John M. Rush, Henry Russell, Ignatz 
Schmidt, John Scofield, Henry F. Scott, Michael ScuUey, Corydon Sears, 
William Seely, John Seller, Lewis W. Seymour, Frank Shearer, Eph- 
raim B. Shelley, Henry D, Simmons, Israel Simmons, Wilbur Slocum, 
Elbert B. Smith, Harry Smith, Hendrick J. Smith, Jasper Smith, My- 
ron Smith, Samuel H. Smith, Thomas Smith, John Spencer, Fitch 
Spoor, Thomas Stapleton, Willard Stevens, William N. Stever, David 
J . Stiles, Jonathan Stratton, Edmund Sturtevant, Charles M. Swine, 
James Swan, John W. Taber, John W. Taylor, William Taylor, Elijah 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 593 

Thomas, John W. Thomas, Thomas W. Tompkins, John Tierney, Pat- 
rick Tobin, Levi Tracy, George Troop, Theodore Turner, James Tyler, 
Herbert Van De Bogart, George Van Gorder, Alfred Van Wagner, 
Judson Vole, Aden Vorhees, William Walker, William Walker (2d), John 
A. Walling, Lewis Walton, Henry Ward, Silas E. Warren, Jacob A. 
Weiting, Charles Wells, Allen Whalon, Abram Whitaker, Abram Whit- 
beck, Norman Whitman, Dexter Whitney, jr., William Wilkinson, 
Charles B. Williams, George H. Williams, Girard Williams, Charles 
Williamson, William A. Wilson, Charles Woolworth, Albert Wyent. 

FIFTIETH ENGINEERS. 

The 50th engineers, frequently known as the " Stuart regiment," was 
organized by the state for the infantry service, but was converted by 
the war department into an engineer regiment, and afterward was 
known as the 50th N. Y. vol. engineers. The command left the state 
Sept. 20, 1861, for three years, and was mustered out July 13 and 14, 
1865. 

Nearly every company of the 50th was represented by Broome county 
recruits, although the contingent in each was very small. The ap- 
pended list shows the names of original Broome county men in the 
command. 

Company A. — Privates Duondo Edwards, Henry C. Lashier, Stephen 
Matterson. 

Company C. — Privates David B. Cragan, Albert D. Howard, Jere- 
miah Howard, Charles Ingerson, James McGregor, Seymour J. Palmer. 

Company D. — Privates Wallace M. Barney, Franklin R. Garrison, 
Surdam Smith, William Wilkinson. 

Company- E. — 1st lieut, Orrin E. Hine; sergeants, John N. Clark, 
George Kenyon; corporals, Charles O. Howard, Anson H. Bauder, 
Jeremiah Robbins; privates, Philo Barden, James Bailey, Eli H. Craw- 
ford, Henry D. Daniels, Ormando R. Daniels, Alfred S. Edwards, 
Spencer Hicks, Charles Hurlburt, Aaron Lashier, Francis L. Newton, 
William H. Pierce, Amos Robbins, Latham Osterhout. 

Company F.— Privates James E. Armstrong, John W. Aikin, Norman 
W. Brigham, Joel Cunningham, Gideon C. Colegrove, Joseph D. Deck- 
er, Joseph Howard, Philip K. Johnson, Edwin Kipp, Albert Moore. 
Anson W. Payne, Mason Thornton. 

Company G^.— Elijah D. Cafferty (wagoner), Horace D. Butts, Adel- 
bert G. Councilman, Harris W. Darling, Luke M. Hammond, Amos 
Howard, George Pier, Timothy Rockwell, John Smith. 

38 



594 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Company H. — Privates William C. Pollard, Warren Moore, Daniel C. 
Norton, Ira Decker. 

Company I. — Sergeant, Peter B.White; corporals, Henry La Grange, 
Wesley J. Brown; privates, Nathan Barney, Spencer Barker. 

Company K. — Privates Richard B. Anginer, Warren J. Bostwick, 
Stephen P. Bingham, Fletcher Mason, Eli H. McGill, Henry Oliver, 
Cyrus A. Roe, Eli Webb. 

SIXTH CAVALRY— VETERAN. 

This command was organized in New York city under the special 
authority of the war department, and originally was known as the " Ira 
Harris guard." When the regiment was formally turned over to the 
state, Nov. 20, 1861, it received the designation of " Sixth regiment of 
cavalry, N. Y. vols.," but otherwise was known as the "Second Ira 
Harris cavalry," and also as the " Second Ira Harris guards." Co. G, 
which contained a fair contingent of officers and men from Broome 
county, was recruited in Binghamton, Rochester, Hornellsville and 
Albion, and was mustered in the service for three years Oct. 24,- 1861. 

During the period of its service the 6th participated in something 
like one hundred and fifty skirmishes and engagements, but the com- 
mand so frequently was broken up into detachments that it is almost 
impossible to furnish a narrative of the experiences of any single com- 
pany, and particularly of Co. G, in which were the Broome county men. 
On June 17, 1865, the regiment was consolidated into eight companies, 
and these, with the 15th N. Y. vol. cavalry, formed anew organization 
known as the " Second Provisional regiment, N. Y. vol. cavalry." 

Muster Roll, Co. G. — Edward P. McKinney, 2d lieut. ; Ch.rles H. 
Cannon, 1st sergt. ; Asahel Maynard, Charles B. Harris, William Berry, 
sergts. ; Henry Applegate, Asa Gurnsey, Oscar Stoutenburg, Carlton 
P. Taylor, James F. Petitt, Jerome A. Wood, George P. Tyler, corpor- 
als; William C. Colt, quartermaster sergt.; Lewis H. Allen, bugler; 
George Miner, wagoner. 

Privates. — Noah F. Alden, Edward Burdett, Thomas G. Burgess, 
Robert Burke, Henry C. Dickinson, Hiram E. Freeland, Adelbert 
Green, Daniel Hogan, William Hadsall, Hubbard Hoag, Cameron 
Johnson, George Jeffries, Azure Mack, Robert W. Mosher, Josiah Mar- 
tin, George A. Newman, Marvin Palmer, David Pratt, Willard Phelps, 
David S. Stoutenburg, Irvin J. Stoutenburg, George S. Tripp, Henry 
J. Wakeley. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 595 

FIRST VETERAN CAVALRY. 

This command, which originally was intended to become the 17th 
regiment of cavalry, was organized at Elmira in the summer of 1862. 
Broome county was represented by men in Cos. A, (1st lieut., Charles 
B. Fairchild), E, (private, Fred H. Furlong), Fand H, (private, George 
W. Raymond). Co. F was known as the Binghamton company, al- 
though Elmira, Adams and Rochester also contributed to its strength. 

The regiment left the state by companies in the fall of 1863, and 
served first in the department of Washington, but latterly and chiefly 
in the department of West Virginia, where it participated in about fifty 
engagements and skirmishes. It was mustered out of service July 20, 
1865, at Camp Piatt, West Virginia. 

Muster Roll, Co. F. — Edwin D. Comstock, captain; Hamilton L. Red- 
way, 1st lieut. ; John E. Ronk, 2d lieut. ; S. Girard Case, 1st sergt. ; L. 
Hibbard Whittlesey, quartermaster sergt. ; Orville J. Bacon, Sanford 
Bradbury, Thomas Alilok, Lafayette Cross, sergeants; Charles H. 
Whittlesey, Washington Marsh, Russell S. Cole, Henry At well, Anna- 
nias Cameron, corporals; Seth H. Wells, William H. Sleeper, farriers; 
William L. Payne, saddler; Philip Chrismar, wagoner. 

Privates. — Edward Burrows, Charles W. Bradbury, Alva Church, 
James Cassiday, George W. Finch, Rufus Finch, Sabin Gray, John C. 
Ham, jr., William Holcomb, Calvin Hull, Patrick Houlihan, Reuben 
W. Lovejoy, J. Riley Loveland, Jacob Lester, Charles E. Lewis, Jesse 
McFarland, William H. Nash, Hanford H. Paddleford, William D. 
Stephens, Nathan D. Stone, Albert Truax. 

Broorne county also was represented by a few men in Co. D, 3d cav- 
alry, who were recruited in Deposit; also in the 11th cavalry by a few 
Binghamton men in Co. C ; also in the 25th cavalry by 2d lieut. Corwin 
J. Holmes and private John Phillips. 

Among the many persons who enlisted in companies and regiments 
recruited outside of the county mention may be made of the following: 
Isaac Hendrickson, Co. H, 17th inf. ; David N. Dibble, Co. K, 143d inf. ; 
Florence A. Potter, Co. G, 12th cav. ; Oliver D. Hokirk, Co. D, 46th 
inf. ; Gregory B. Youngs, Co. E, 149th inf. ; Francis M. Pratt, Co. C, 
79th inf. ; Charles C. Edson, Co. I, 4oth Penna. inf. ; Corwin J. Holmes, 
Co. B. 30th inf. ; Zachariah Paddock, Co. B, 48th inf. ; Dr. Edward I. 
Ford, surgeon 101st U. S. col. troops; William R. Snyder, Co. G, 6th 
cav. ; Lee C. Stone, Co. A, 1st art.; Patrick Flanigan, Co. B, 2d bat., 
U. S. inf. ; Thomas McMahon, Co. B, 2d bat., U. S. inf. ; Charles Lee, 



596 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

14th R. I. col. vols. ; Nelson Young, 14th R. I. col. vols. ; Fred Bond, 
54th Mass. inf. ; James Postley, Co. G, 54th Mass. inf. ; Henry Bell, 
54th Mass. inf. ; William Bond, 54th Mass. inf. ; George Jackson, 54th 
Mass. inf. ; Remsen Archer, Penn. vols. ; James Archer, 26th U. S. col. 
troops; George Cruser, 26th U. S. col. troops; James Nichols, 26th U. 
S. col. troops; Joseph H. Mitchell, 26th U. S. col. ti'oops; Henry 
Mitchell, 26th U. S. col. troops; Thomas E. Potts, Co. G, 18th U. S. 
vet. res. corps; Adam J. Foltz, Co. E, 16th N.Y. art. ; George M. Gal- 
loway, Co. K, 2d mounted rifles; John Boyden, Co. E, 7th art. ; Amos 
Patterson, Co. B, 2d Penna. reserves; James Walsh, Co. A, 64th inf. ; 
Peter C. Mersereau, Co. G, 15th eng. ; William McElroy, Co. K, 14th 
inf. ; Horace Tichenor, Co. K, 27th 111. inf. ; John Cunningham, Co. C, 
162d inf. ; Eugene Morse, adjutant, 7th 111. inf. ; Ezra P. Keeler, Co. E, 
175th inf. ; Abram S. Holland, Co. G, 185th inf. ; William H. Brown, 
Co. C, 148th inf. ; Edwin D. Brown, Co. C, 148th inf. 

The drafted men of the county, who entered the service, were as fol- 
lows: Robert B. Stone, John Gorham, James T. La Barron, Van Rens- 
selaer McClare, Augustus Blake, Charles E. Barrett (26th col. troops), 
Joseph H. McQuan, David Van Order, Theodore C. Brown (26th col. 
troops), Patrick Stack, Henry C. Jones (26th col. troops), Thomas 
Griffin, George H. Runyon, Robert S. Hogg, W. M. Freeman (76th N. 
Y. inf.), Elias McCannon (76th inf.), George W. Andrews, Jeremiah 
Gray (76th inf.). David Brown (76th inf.). Nelson Brooks (76th inf. ), 
Ira Lewis, John J. Broughan, Henry Budd, Abram D. Decker, Seth T. 
Marcy (76th inf.), Frederick Thomas, Henry Clay, Daniel D. Dranes, 
Adna S. Winner, Jesse W. Germond, John F. Ketchum, John Edson, 
John Doxy, Orville K. Pike, Charles C. Hare (76th inf.), Frank R. 
Roberts, Warren B. Parsons, Seymour Rowe, Marvin Way, Edward F. 
Wright, Ira Lathrop, George L. Folmsbee, John F. Fletcher, Edward 
J. Goodnough, Nicholas Moat, Hiram Weeks (76th inf.), Jesse L. 
Weidman, Jonathan Attridge, Uriah Springsteen, Henry Moat, Jerome 
Tanner, Henry W. Hupman, Sidney L. Welton, Charles F. Dickson, 
Ephraim Molsen, George Hewitt, George Postly, Janthes U. Walker, 
George H. Allen, Nicholas W. Martin, Henry J. Howe, Ira Palmer, 
Moscow E. Holt, Luther A. Van Kuren, Edward H. Palmer, Ira D. 
Seymour, John N. Sines, Ozias D. Paige (146th inf.), Richard M. John- 
son, vSamuel Kipp, Lewis Kipp, George W. Webb, Jeremiah Eastman, 
Chester Leisure, Levi Webb, Ezirah J. Orton, Austin C. Gaige, Will- 
iam Stringer, Richard E. Smith, John A. Seism, Jay W. Bush (76th 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 597 

inf.), Medad Ketchum, Bishop A. Hartwell, Charles H. Pittsley, Lo- 
renzo Ballard, Charles Mott, Simeon Westfall, Edgar H. Stratton,' Syl- 
vester E. Ackley, Henry Conover, Isaac L. Ball, David A. Hoag, 
Abram C. Osterhout, Albert B. Clark. 

Major-General John C. Robinson, a native of Binghamton, born in 
1817, attained a rank of greater importance in military circles than any 
other of Broome county's soldiery. In 1835 he entered West Point 
Military academy, but left in 1838 and and took up the study of law. 
In 1839 he was offered and accepted a commission as second lieutenant 
in the 5th U. S. infantry. He was called into active service during the 
Mexican war and soon won a promotion to the first lieutenancy, followed 
by a captain's commission soon after the close of the war. He after- 
ward was identified with army life throughout the reign of peace, and 
at the outbreak of the war of 1861-5 again was called into service; was 
made colonel of the First Michigan infantry in 1861 ; major of the Sec- 
ond U. S. infantry in February, 1862; brigadier-general of U. S. vol- 
unteers in April, 1862. At Spottsylvania Court House he was so se- 
riously wounded in the knee that amputation of his leg became neces- 
sary, and thus he was compelled to leave the service; but he was bre- 
vetted major-general of volunteers in June, 1864, and major-general of 
the U. S. Army troops in March, 1865. General Robinson spent much 
of his civilian life in Binghamton, and was honored with election to the 
lieutenant governorship of the state, and also to the high office of com- 
mander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the United States. 

Major-General Joseph J. Bartlett was another son of Binghamton who 
earned distinction in military life during the war. He was the first 
captain of Co. C, 27th inf., and after the regiment reached Elmira he 
was promoted major. In September following he was promoted to the 
command of the regiment, and in October, 1862, he was commissioned 
brigadier- general. General Bartlett unquestionably was one of the 
most fearless men who ever led a charge, and never did he ask his men 
to go where he was not willing to lead them. At Lookout Mountain 
he was the first man up the hill in the famous charge that won the 
day for the Union arms. After the war Gen. Bartlett was appointed 
minister to Norway and Sweden, and still later was given a prominent 
position in the pension department at Washington. 

General Hiram C. Rodgers was a native of Sauquoit, Oneida county, 
and began his business career in Binghamton in 1853 as teller in the 
Bank of Binghamton. At the outbreak of the war he enlisted in Co. D, 



598 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

27th inf., and was elected its captain. At Bull Run he was slightly 
wounded, but he assumed command of a battery and led it safely back 
to Washington. In January, 1862, he was appointed by the president 
assistant adjutant-general and was assigned to duty on Gen. Slocum's 
staff. On July 4, 1862, he was promoted major, and afterward was 
awarded a colonel's commission. After the surrender of Savannah Col. 
Rodgers was brevetted brigadier-general. In 1865 he returned to civil 
life. 

In the same connection also mention may be made of the names of 
L. Chester Bartlett, Milo B. Eldridge, George W. Dunn, Edwin Evans, 
Charles A. Wells, Fred M. Hallock, John P.Worthing and other Broome 
county men, each of whom was taken from the ranks and advanced to 
important field and staff positions. 



CHAPTER XXV. 



THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR— THE HISTORY OF COMPANY H, 
FIRST N. Y. VOL. INF., 1898. 

At the time of the outbreak of the Spanish-American war the 20th 
Separate company, N. G., N. Y., had been in prosperous existence for 
twenty years, and was full in numbers, equipped in ever}^ way for the 
field, well officered, thoroughly drilled, and in excellent discipline. On 
April 26, 1898, shortly after the president's call for volunteers, the 
company assembled at the armory to consider the matter of volunteer- 
ing for two years or for the war. All the officers and sixty-five enlisted 
men at the word stood upon the floor to signify their willingness to go 
to the front. Two days later the order came designating the company to 
become part of the newly organized First New York volunteer infantry. 
From that time to the departure of the company for the rendezvous on 
May 1, the armory witnessed busy scenes. New recruits were drilled 
daily, arms, equipments and ammunition were gotten out and three 
days' rations purchased. The citizens of Binghamton were thoroughly 
aroused and determined that neither the men who went to the front 
nor their families should lack anything. Prompt measures were taken 
to purchase and present each man a heavy blue flannel shirt and a stout 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 599 

pair of walking shoes ; and a movement was set on foot to raise a fund 
to aid the families of such volunteers as might need financial assist- 
ance. 

Sunday, May 1st, the day of the departure, was a memorable one in 
Bing-hamton. The regular church services were much neglected. .The 
men in their new blue uniforms were everywhere conspicuous. In the 
afternoon a mass meeting was held at the Opera house which the com- 
pany and their comrades of the 6th Battery attended. Hundreds were 
turned away unable to obtain even standing room. During the after- 
noon orders came to move to Camp Black by special train on the Erie 
railroad leaving at 11 p. m. At nine o'clock in the evening all prepara- 
tions were complete, and an hour or more was devoted to the good-byes 
of friends upon the floor of the armory. At 10:30 at the sound of the 
drum the company formed in heavy marching order, and a few minutes 
later marched to the train escorted by the 6th Battery and the posts of 
the Grand Army. The crowds on the streets were so dense that it was 
difficult to find a passage through, and the embarkation was accom- 
plished with extreme difficulty in a mighty press of people that filled 
the depot platform and the neighboring streets with a dense mass of 
humanity. 

The train carried also the 40th Separate company of Elmira, and at 
Middletown early in the morning received on board the 24th Separate 
company. Upon arrival at Jersey City the soldiers breakfasted upon 
the Erie dock; and while there the 65th regiment of Buffalo arrived. 
Embarking on a ferry boat with the regiment, the journey was made 
to Long Island City around the lower part of New York. The prog- 
ress of the boat was one continual ovation. Everywhere " Old Glory " 
was fluttering in the breeze, and the air was filled with the salutes that 
were given by the whistles of every steamer and tug boat in the harbor. 
Arriving at Long Island City other troops were found and all embarked 
upon the waiting trains for Camp Black on Hempstead Plains. All the 
afternoon troops kept pouring in, and at five o'clock the baggage ar- 
rived, and the city of canvas, the temporary home of more than ten 
thousand New York volunteers, rapidly arose on the broad plain. The 
First New York composed of well drilled guardsmen were already past 
the rudiments of their military education, and on the following day, 
while many of the other regiments had not yet shaken themselves to- 
gether, had its first evening parade. Here we first met and became 
acquainted with that admirable and accomplished soldier. Gen. Thomas 



600 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

H. Barber, of New York, whom the regiment learned so thoroughly to 
respect as its colonel, during the ten months of its service , 

The routine of camp life at once began with hard and thorough work 
on the drill ground, and preparations for muster into the United States' 
service. The work was hard but the men were full of enthusiasm, and 
daily progress was made. The work was, however, very early inter- 
rupted by a week of nearly continual rain. The storm came with heavy 
wind from the northeast, and the temperature fell to near the freezing 
point. For several days it was nearly impossible to light a fire, and to 
venture out of a tent was to be wet to the skin. It was a time of severe 
hardship to untried troops, but they bore it with a philosophy worthy 
of veterans. The sun came out again at length bright and warm and 
work was again resumed. 

The 20th of May, 1898, was a day to be long remembered in the reg- 
iment. On that day company by company the men held up their right 
hands and swore to " bear true faith and allegiance to the United States 
of America, to obey their superior officers, and to protect and defend 
their country against all its enemies," and were declared duly mustered 
into the service of the government for two years or for the war. Thus 
the 20th Separate company became Company H of the First New York 
volunteer infantry. 

About this time an event occurred which had an important bearing 
on the future of the regiment. General Elwell S. Otis, then command- 
ing the Department of the East and already designated for command 
in the Philippines, spent some time at the camp, looking thoroughly 
into the composition and condition of all the regiments. Meeting Col. 
Barber at the end of his inspection, he said: " Colonel, your regiment 
pleases me very much. I think I will ask to have it assigned to my 
command." Thus was the regiment designated for distant service on 
the Pacific islands. 

As the month of May drew to a close regiment after regiment was 
withdrawn from Camp Black to Tampa, Camp Alger, Camp Thomas 
and other rendezvous of the new army, still no orders came for the 
First regiment. At length on June 11th the regiment entrained for 
station at the forts in New York harbor. Company H was left behind 
in quarantine on account of a case of measles, and was the last organ- 
ization to leave Camp Black. June 15th the quarantine was raised and 
the company departed for its new station at Fort Columbus, Governor's 
Island. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 



601 



Col. Barber had paid Companies G and H the compHment of select- 
ing them as garrison for the post which was headquarters of the De- 
partment of the East. The duties here were many and varied. In the 
military prison in old Castle William were some sixty prisoners to be 
guarded at their work by day and in their cells by night. The usual 
drills took place and the ceremonies of guard mount and parade were 
performed with punctilious accuracy. The officers and men were only 
volunteers but they were doing the work of regulars and did it so well 
and thoroughly as to win many compliments. While at the island Capt. 
Hitchcock returned to Binghamton, and in a few days appeared again 
with twenty-five recruits taken under the president's second call, rais- 
ing the company roll to one hundred and nine officers and enlisted men. 
Company H will always remember with pleasure their stay of three 
weeks at Fort Columbus, amid the beautiful scenes and cool breezes of 
New York harbor. 

About July 1st came the word that the regiment was officially desig- 
nated for service in the Philippines. Then came the one dark day of 
the war when it seemed our army had met a check before Santiago. 
The report flew about that reinforcements were to be dispatched at once 
to General Shaffer; and that the First New York, being fully equipped 
and ready, was to be ordered to sail at once on the St. Paul, then in the 
harbor. This rumor, as it turned out, was true; but in the end the 8th 
Ohio received the order, and the destination of the First New York was 
not changed. With another morning came the glorious news of the 
victory over the Spanish fleet, and the country breathed freely once 
more. 

On the morning of July 7th Companies G and H bade farewell to 
their pleasant quarters on Governor's Island, and with the rest of the 
regiment embarked upon four great trains for San Francisco. The 
route was over the Erie to Chicago; thence by the Northwestern to 
Omaha, and thence by the Union Pacific to the coast. The long jour- 
ney was made with comfort and was varied by the magnificent scenery 
of prairie and mountain. Six days later the regiment arrived in San 
Francisco, over thirteen hundred strong, well disciplined, armed and 
equipped, carrying themselves with the quiet, assured confidence of 
regular troops. The regiment was entertained at dinner on its arrival 
by the ex-New York residents of San Francisco. 

During the journey word came that the regiment had been designated 
as garrison at Honolulu in the newly annexed Hawaiian Islands. This 



602 BINGHAMTON ITS SETTLEMENT, 

news was received with pleasure by some, but on the whole with feel- 
ings of disappointment, as it seemed to remove still further the pros- 
pect of an active campaign. 

After an uncomfortable three days in the sand, dust and chill winds 
in Camp Merritt, Col. Barber secured orders for a change of base to the 
Presidio. The change was decidedly for the better, yet left much to be 
desired. The site was somewhat sheltered, but the tents were pitched 
on an asphalt-like expanse of adobe soil from which every wind blew the 
most disheartening clouds of dust. Every night the chill fog drifted 
through the Golden Gate shrouding the whole camp in cold and gloom.' 
There was sickness and death in the camps, and day after day the rat- 
tling volleys told of another soldier gone to the last roll call. But the 
time was not spent in idleness and while waiting the welcome orders 
for embarkation for the designated station of the regiment in the Ha- 
waiian Islands, the regular routine of drills and camp life and work 
went on. 

The regiment sailed for the islands by detachments as transports 
could be provided. On the 17th of August Companies F, G and H em- 
barked upon the little steamer "Alliance" for the long sea voyage. On 
passing out of the Golden Gate heavy seas were encountered, and natur- 
ally enough there were many sufferers from .sea- sickness. On the third 
day out in smoother waters and a sunnier sky nearly all had recovered, 
and began to take up the new and strange experience of army transport 
life. Ten days at sea without a sail in sight, with not a living thing 
but a few sea-gulls and flying fish to break the immense monotony of 
ocean; at night the rippling flash of phosphorescent water, with the 
north star daily sinking toward the horizon; hours of lazy reading or 
card playing in the shadows of the sails, broken only by meal times, 
and ineffectual attempts to exercise on the crowded decks; — such in 
in brief was a history of the voyage. On the 27th of August in the 
early morning cloudlike mountains appeared on the horizon; later they 
took on the hues of soil and vegetation, and the island of Oahu was in 
sight. Passing between it and the shadowy masses of Molokai on the 
left and rounding headland after headland, the steamer entered the har- 
bor of Honolulu and made fast to the wharf just at noon. 

After disembarking and vain efforts to get sea-legs off and a farewell 
to the brave little ship that had carried them over more than two thou- 
sand miles of sea, the battalion took up the march to Camp McKinley, 
as the new station was called. The march was for four miles through 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 003 

the city, and east tlirough the suburbs and Kapiolani Park, to Waikiki 
at the foot of Diamond Head. The baggage did not arrive that night, 
so Company H men slept in their blankets on the bare ground in the 
mild tropical night. A light shower or two passed over, but few of the 
weary soldiers, happy to be once more on firm ground, awoke to grum- 
ble. Here the company rejoined the portion of the regiment that had 
preceded it, and their comrades of Major Langfitt's battalion of the 
Second U. S. V. Engineers, and a few days later the whole regiment 
was once more reunited. 

The regiment was encamped in a grove of algeroba trees at the foot 
of Diamond Head, an extinct volcano. The sea was only a short quar- 
ter of a mile away, and afforded the very best place for the refreshing 
daily bath, so necessary in the tropics. The city of Honolulu was con- 
nected with the camp by a "mule trolley " line running to the center 
of the town four miles away through a broad highway flanked by cocoa- 
nut groves, rice and banana plantations, and many beautiful suburban 
residences embowered in a wealth of tropical foliage. All things in 
this beautiful tropic land were new and strange for northern eyes to 
look upon. On the sea shore they saw brown-skinned Kanaka children 
tumbling in the surf; in the fields the frugal Chinese toiling in his rice 
land, or in his taro or sweet potatoe patch. On the streets swarthy 
Japs, yellow Malays, brown-skinned Portuguese from the distant Azores 
mingled with English, American, French and German residents in poly- 
glot confusion. The climate was delightful, but not conducive to hard 
work. During the day the air was warm without excessive heat, and 
was tempered by the steady trade winds fresh from leagues of ocean. 
The nights were cool enough for comfortable sleep, and were brilliant 
with the silvery moonlight of the tropics, or the gleam of stars from 
the depths of an unclouded sky. ^ 

But the soldiers' existence in this " Paradise of the Pacific" was not 
all one dream of delight. The daily work of drill and fatigue was 
harder in the enervating air. There was for a few days a scarcity of 
rations owing to some friction in the administration of a newly estab- 
lished station. The men who had up to that time slept upon clean straw 
in their tents, now had to rest upon hard boards or bare ground. Yan- 
kee ingenuity, however, very soon remedied this defect. Trees, fences 
and unoccupied buildings in the neighborhood seemed to melt insensi- 
bly away, but in the camp there was a supply of comfortable cots and 
bunks. Mosquito nets were issued as a protection against the myriad 



604 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT. 

swarms that made night miserable, and soon a very fair degree of com- 
fort was enjoyed in the new camps. The one drawback to the exist- 
ence was that chances for active service in the field were daily growing 
less. The element of adventure and romance was vanishing away, and 
only the quiet monotony of garrison life remained. It was not strange 
that thoughts turned often to wife, child and home five thousand miles 
away, and talk began to turn to the time when they were to be mus- 
tered out. 

Before the regiment had been at Camp McKinley many weeks the 
transport " Arizona " arrived in port with Major Paul's battalion of the 
18th Regulars and recruits for the Colorado, California, Nebraska and 
Pennsylvania regiments then at Manila, and with Brigadier-General 
Charles King in command. The troops went into camp upon the race 
track near by, and the Military District of Hawaii was established with 
General King in command. 

Shortly after this occurred the practice march of Company H around 
the Island of Oahu, which will always be remembered by the men as 
one of the most interesting events in the history of the company. In 
order to understand the route it is necessary to call attention to the 
geography of the island. Oahu is practically a triangle in shape with 
one side to the northeast, one to the west and one to the south. Hon- 
olulu is on the south coast. Parallel with the northeast coast runs the 
principal range of mountains with a gradual ascent on the land side, 
but falling off toward the sea in steep and almost perpendicular preci- 
pices. This range is crossed in but one place by a road, and is else- 
where impassable. There is no road around the eastern promontory, 
but there is a fair road around the northern point. The southeastern 
corner of the island is another impassable mountain range, with no road 
around it but the railroad. The central portion of the island is an ele- 
vated plateau. The most, therefore, that could be done in the way of 
march around the island was to cross the pass above Honolulu to the 
northeast coast, pass up the coast to the northern point, and return over 
the central plateau. 

The company marched out of Camp McKinley on the morning of 
October 5th with ten days rations and forage in three wagons, taking 
three cavalry horses for the use of the officers in exploring the country 
and securing wood, water and camp grounds in advance. The men 
made the journey in light marching order, carrying only their rifles, 
canteens, haversacks, blankets and ponchos. They wore canvas uni- 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 



6(15 



forms, carrying their coats during the day in the blanket rolls, and 
marching in the blue shirts, canvas trousers, leggings and campaign 
hats. A more easy and comfortable rig for campaigning could hardly 
be devised. 

Passing through Honolulu, the company marched into the mountain 
pass by the Nuuanu valley. The road was a gradual ascent for six 
miles to the summit of the pass with lofty mountains hardly to be 
scaled on either hand. It rains frequently on the mountains, however 
dry on the plain, and thus the slopes are covered with the same vivid 
green as the Alpine valleys. Toward the top of the pass the valley 
was more and more filled with a tangle of tree and vine all new and 
strange. In the middle of the afternoon the company reached the head 
of the pass, the famous Nuuanu Pali. Here the valley ends in a tre- 
mendous precipice falling sheer for over a thousand feet, and with a 
precipitous slope for many hundred feet more. On either side the 
jagged peaks rise nearly 1,500 feet sharp as saw teeth. In approaching 
the Pali the stranger would have no idea of what he was nearing until 
within a few rods of the verge; then the magnificent panorama bursts 
upon the sight with the sudden force of a shock. Far below are the 
cane and rice fields with here and there plantation houses, and beyond 
the long line of breakers of the broad Pacific. Nearer are the vivid 
green but rugged and impassable mountains rising nearly a sheer three 
thousand feet from the coast. From the Pali the road turns sharply to 
the right and winds down dug out from the side of the cliff in two long 
zigzags to the level country below. From the foot of the Pali to the 
coast the march led through hundreds of acres of guava bushes full of 
ripe fruit. The wagons were delayed in passing the Pali, so the cap- 
tain rode ahead and secured quarters for the night in an empty cottage 
at Kaneohe through the kindness of Mr. Mendoza, who owned a large 
cattle ranch in the neighborhood. 

The next day the company marched along the coast over excellent 
roads through cane and rice land, passing Heeia and rounding Kualoa 
Point. Camp was pitched at Kaaawa on the beach, where all night 
long was heard the thunder of the surf on the coral roof just beyond 
the sand. The next day's march carried them to Dr. Carter's at Hauula 
just beyond Punaluu, During the morning march three wild goats 
were seen far up the mountain. The captain nodded leave to the eager 
men, the breech-blocks clicked and a rattling fusillade began. None of 
the shots took effect but they threw up the dirt and stones around the 



606 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 

animals who speedily vanished behind the crags. In connection with 
this day's march the men will remember the group of grinning Kanakas 
and Mr. Mendoza's bottle of olekehao. 

The camp was made at Dr. Carter's early in the afternoon. Dr. Car- 
ter made them welcome to wood, water and camp ground, and fur- 
nished a generous supply of fresh vegetables, and entertained the officers 
at his house. Dr. Carter was himself a native of New York who came 
to the islands years ago for his health, and lives with his charming 
family in a beautiful house on his large plantation. His hospitality was 
so grateful and the camp so pleasant to the men that a day was spent 
here in rest and in excursions in the neighborhood. 

The next day's march carried the company past Laiae, a Mormon 
settlement, to Kahuku Plantation where the noonday halt was made. 
Here the men had an opportunity to see the large sugar mill and plan- 
tation at this point. The march was resumed after an hour's halt around 
the northern point and along the west coast to Waimea river. Here 
was encountered a difficult crossing, which the men had been informed 
would prove an impassable obstacle, as the bridge had been carried 
away by a flood. A sand bar which had formed across the mouth of 
the river afforded a safe transit. There was some difficulty owing to 
lack of a proper approach. It was necessary to partially unload the 
wagons, run them by hand down a steep bank, lead the animals down 
by a bridle path, and then haul the vehicles through the heavy sand, one 
at a time, employing all the mule-power in each case. The crossing 
might have stopped a force of Kanakas, Japs or Chinamen, but the 
American volunteers were safely across within an hour. 

The next march was a short one from Waimea to Waialua court house. 
The camp was made here at the deserted Emerson house, and here in 
the pleasant shade and with good bathing the company had an after- 
noon's rest before the long march of the next day from the sea on 
the west to the sea on the south. This was a long pull of nineteen 
miles over the central plateau. After a long gradual ascent the com- 
pany marched over the level, grassy table land with both bold moun- 
tain ranges in full view. As the company neared Pearl Harbor they 
passed through one of the large sugar plantations. They made camp 
that night on the peninsula at Pearl City on ground of Senator Water- 
house. They came on invitation and were received by the senator and 
his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Wood. They served dinner 
to the whole company, and gave them the freedom of their beautiful 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 



607 



country place. The next day was spent here in boating, fishing and 
excursions in the neighborhood. "The Peninsula" where the camp 
was made juts out into the spacious harbor where the U. S. Naval sta- 
tion is to be, and is one of the most delightful locations on the island. 

From Pearl City the next march took the company to Moanalua, the 
country home of the Hon. Samuel Damon. They arrived at noon, and 
enjoyed a half-day in this charming spot. The next day carried them 
back to Camp McKinley after a ten days' outing, which few of the men 
will soon forget. 

Upon the return to the camp it was learned that typhoid fever had 
broken out, and a change of ground was necessary. Captain Hitchcock, 
who had been named for promotion to a majority during his absence, 
was charged with the selection of the new camp. The point fixed upon 
was a grassy beach at Waialae, four miles further from the city. To 
this point the captain moved Companies E and G, and a detachment of 
convalescents; and later the entire regiment took up its quarters there. 

But sickness had begun to take a strong hold of the camp. The 
well-known truth was discovered by practical experience, that it is dif- 
ficult for troops under canvas to keep their health in a tropical country 
until acclimated to the new conditions. Death began to invade the 
ranks of the company. Privates Porter, Thompson, Glasby and Cowles 
were followed one after another by their sorrowing comrades to their 
quiet rest in Nuuanu cemetery. But it was during the period of sick- 
ness that the patience, courage and discipline of the men of Company 
H was most conspicuous. Their quiet performance of daily duty, and 
the entire absence of panic or dismay, as comrade after comrade was 
stricken by the invisible foe, were matters of remark even in the camp 
of a brave regiment; and was a more severe test of manhood than many 
an assault made in the field under the fire of the foe. 

While in camp at Waialae the regiment was inspected by Major Ed- 
ward Field, of the Inspector-General's department, U. S. A. His re- 
port was in part as follows: "Ten companies of the First New York 
volunteer infantry were reviewed at their camp at Waialae beach in 
light marching order. Their passage in review was the best of any 
volunteer regiment I have seen since the war began, and I have seen 
nearly all the regiments that passed through California. Their mili- 
tary appearance and bearing very fine, active, clean-built, well set up. 
Arms and equipments were almost faultless. They show the same ex- 
cellence in drill as they did in review and inspection. They would 



608 



BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, 



make excellent field soldiers. They are young, intelligent, spirited and 
patriotic, especially well drilled, and many who have served in the na- 
tional guard are excellent shots. " Such is the record made by the regi- 
ment during the nearly ten months of its service. 




Major Charles H. Hitchcock. 



All of these remarks applied to their full extent to Company H ; but 
more than this, they were a marked body of men even in their regi- 
ment. A regular officer of large experience who saw the regiment fre- 
quently during several weeks, speaking of this company, said to their 
captain, " You have the finest body of men I ever saw together in any 
service. They are simply magnificent." 

The term of service of the regiment was nearly done. The news that 
they were ordered home for muster out reached the camp in time to add 
the anticipated pleasures of home to the bountiful Thanksgiving dinner 
served them by the ladies of Honolulu. On December 9th the company 
sailed upon the transport "Scandia," for home, and arrived at San 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 609 

Francisco six days later. Binghamton was reached December 27th, and 
on February 26, 1899, they were mustered out, and honorably discharged 
from the service of the United States. The war was over, and their 
duty was done. To but few of the volunteer troops had it fal'len to meet 
the foe in the field, but all did their duty faithfully and well wherever 
they were sent; but none better or more faithfully than the men who 
went out from Binghamton. 

The following is the muster roll of the members of Company H: 

1. Captain... Charles H. Hitchcock. 20th Sep. Co.; prom, major. 

2.1st Lieut. .Harry P. Worthing... " " " 

3. 2d Lieut... Charles N. Hinman.. " " " 

4.1st Sergt.. William H. Seeley " " " 

5.Q.M. " ..Arch. K. Roberts " 

6. Sergeant.. Edward S. Hoag " " " 

7. " .. Peter C. Powell " " <' 

8. " ..Lew. B. Merselis " " " 

9. " ..Fred S. Cary " " " 

10. Corporal ..Julian R. Wilbur " " " 

11. " ..Frank O. Seymour " " " 

12. " ..Stephen O. Cline " " " 

13. " ...Francis C. Huhn " " " 

14. " ..George D. Lathrop... " " " 

15. " ..Frank Wood " 

16. " ..Stirling S. Kimball... " " " 

17. " ..Arthur E. Potter.. .. " ' " 

18. " ..Harrie W. Reynolds.. " " 

19. " ..Edward W. Rogers... 6th Battery, joined May, '98. 

20. " ..Lewis Van Tassel 20th Sep. Co. 

21. " ..Floyd S. Wilder " " " joined June, '98. 

22. Musician .Frank H. Merrill 20th Sep. Co. 

23. " Lawrences. Merrill.. .6th Battery, joined May, '98. 

24. Wagoner . Charles W. Hobbie . ..20th Sep. Co. 

25. Artificer ..Merton E. Lewis " " 

26. Private S.Howard Ammerman. Recruit, joined April, '98. 

27. " Clarence J. Ash ." " June, '98. 

28. " Robert H. Baker " " " '98. 

29. " MeadBeebe.. 20th Sep. Co. 

30. " Fred E. Bennett Recruit, joined April, '98. 

39 



610 BINGHAMTON. ITS SETTLEMENT, 

Frank W. Bishop Gth Batter}^ joined May, '98. 

Asa L. Bonnell Recruit, joined April, '98. 

Clarence E. Chalker ..20th Sep. Co. 

Frank E Courtney Gth Battery, joined May, '98. 

MarJn J. Curtin 20th Sep. Co. 

George H. Cowles Gth Battery, joined May,'98, died 

Honolulu Nov. 12. '98. 

William H. Davis Gth Battery, joined May, '98. 

George Duren ..Recruit, joined April, '98. 

James M. Dwyer " " " '98. 

Albert Edgecomb " " May, '98. 

Charles VV Fetherolf . .20th Sep. Co. 

Samuel G. Fraser Recruit, joined May, '98. 

Floyd L. Gage 20th Sep. Co. 

Clarence W. Gage Recruit, joined May, '98. 

George O. Gay " " June, '98. 

Harry L. Gay " " " '98. 

Burton J. Gibbons Gth Batter}', joined June, '98. 

George W. Gillett Recruit, joined June, '98. 

Arthur Gibson . " " May, '98. 

William L. Gleason... " " June, '98. 

Richard A. Genung... " " " '98. 

John B. Gregory " " " '98. 

Albert Glasby " " May, '98, died 

Honolulu Nov. 21, '98. 

Willard A. Hake^ 20th Sep. Co. 

Edward Hallett Recruit, joined May, '98. 

William H. Hawks Gth Battery, joined May, '98. 

Michael Hastings Recruit, joined June, '98. 

Edward Hart " " " '98. 

Lorenzo D. Harrington " " " '98. 

Marion C. Holcomb... " " " '98. 

Howard S. Hobbs 20th Sep. Co. 

Clarence S. Hubbard.. Recruit, joined April, '98. 
Herbert Hungerford .. " " " '98. 

Archie A. Jenkins " " " '98. 

Bernard Jennison 20th Sep. Co. 

Charles B. Johnson Recruit, joined May, '98. 

James Kearley " " April, '98. 



31. Private 


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GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. (Ill 

68. Private, Ward Kilpatrick Recruit, joined April, '98. 

69. " Frank B. La Gier •" " " '98. 

70 . " Peter C. Leamy 20th Sep. Co. 

71. " Eugene B. Levee " " " 

72. " Charles E. Lewis Recruit, joined June, '98. 

73. " Thomas E. Maffett " " May, '98. 

74. " Edward Major " " April, "98 

75. " Edward J. Malmquist . " " " '98. 

76. " Frank S. May 20th Sep. Co. 

77. " Job P. Malpass Recruit, joined June, '98. 

78. " Oscar S. Mitchell " " April, '98. 

79. " Cornelius Morrissey " " June, '98. 

80. " Patrick J. McHugh ... " " " '98. 

81. " Charles B. Pender " " May, '98. 

82. " Leon W. Place 20th Sep. Co. 

83. " Henry L. Polhamus... " " _" 

84. " Fred W. Porter.. " 

85. " Clarence H. Porter " " " died Honolulu Oct. 

2, 1898. 

86. " William E. Pelham Recruit, joined April, '98. 

87. " Leigh H. Reynolds " " June, '98. 

88. " John H. Rising .20th Sep. Co. 

89. " Weller Rose " 

90. " Bernice Riley ...Recruit, joined June, '98; disch. 

for disability, Sept., '98. 

91. " Arthur W. Salsbury.. .20th Sep. Co. 

92. " Frank Schoonniaker.. .Recruit, joined April, '98. 

93. " George M. Scott " " May, '98. 

94. " William F. Seabold.. .20th Sep. Co. 

95. " Frank J. Shotwell " 

96. " Edgar J. Simpson " 

97. " Arthur A. Smith Recruit, joined April, '98. 

98. " Oscar F. Stalker .20th Sep. Co. 

99. " John Stoltz Recruit, joined June, '98. 

100. " Andrew A. Swain, " " " '98- 

101. " James H. Tanner 20th Sep. Co. 

102. " Charles P. Tobey " 

103. " William J. Turner " " " joined June, '98 

104. " Charles H. Thumpson.44th Sep. Co., died Honolulu 

Oct, 15, '98. 



612 BINGHAMTON, ITS SETTLEMENT, GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. 

105 . Private, Charles Vosburg Recruit, joined April, '98. 

106. " Arthur J. Vosburg '• " June, '98, 

107. " Henry Waldhoff . " " April, '98. 

108. " William Wemple " " " '98. 

108. " Charles W. Yeomans..20th Sep. Co. 

Regt'l Q. M. Sergeant, Lewis Seymour, 20th Sep. Co. 

In the foregoing roster all the men who had at any time been members 
of the 20th Separate Company or 6th Battery are so noted. The time 
of joining is noted in all cases where the men did not leave Bingham- 
ton May 1, 1898, with the company. To the roster is added the name 
of Lewis Seymour, who went out of Binghamton with the company, 
and was promoted regimental quartermaster sergeant, and was mus- 
tered in as such. 

Although Co. H constituted the most important body of troops rep- 
resenting Binghamton and Broome county in the Spanish American 
war, an equal number of men were enlisted in other commands, but 
their services were not at all severe. The state rolls of soldiery in this 
war are not fully collated, hence the names of all men from this local- 
ity cannot now be procured. However, through the assistance of sev- 
eral officers the names of local recruits in Co. L, 203d N. Y. Vols., and 
also of the 7th Battery, light artillery, N. Y. vols., are secured with 
reasonable accuracy. 

The Broome county men in Co. L, 203d inf., were 2d Lieut. Austin 
J. McMahon, Quartermaster Sergt. Jeremiah J. Murphy, Sergt. Nelson 
H. Whittemore, Corporals Thomas F. Hastings, George Parmelee and 
George E. Shaw, and Privates James F. Bulger, Robert W. Cooley, 
Alexander Gumming, jr., Michael J. Farrell, William J. Furlong, Frank 

E. Gee, Frank W. Lee, Alexander G. Munroe, Neil D. Norton, James 

F. Parsons, Fred Qainn, Palmer Smithem, Arthur Spring, and Ed. A. 
Springsteen. 

The Broome county men in the Seventh Battery of light artillery 
were Lieut. Amos J, Bush, Sergeants Frank D. French and Urbane S. 
Stevens, jr.. Musician Frank A. Loomis, Artificers Fred B. Smith and 
Don C. Pratt, and Privates Lee O. Blatchley, Walter V. Belding, George 
E. Broughton, George E. Edgcomb, Zephaniah Foster, William H. 
Falkenstine, Leon E. Green, Christopher Gibson, William S. Hoyt, 
Simon J. Koerbel, Arthur Merrill, Frank D. Remmele, vStephen E. 
Shaw, Henry E. Simpson, and Fred S. Van Devort. 



THE TOWN OF UNION. 013 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

THE TOWN OF UNION, AND ITS INCORPORATED VILLAGES, UNION 

AND LESTERSHIRE. 

On March 16, 1791, the legislature passed aa act creating Tioga county, 
including within its boundaries all the territory between the pre-emp- 
tion line on the west, the property line on the east, the Pennsylvania 
line on the south, and substantially the south line of the second tier of 
towns of the military tract on the north. 

Under the act the territory of the new county was divided into five 
towns, Chemung on the west, Owego second. Union third, Chenango 
fourth, and Jericho fifth, the latter including the northeastern portion 
of the county then created. 

The town of Union was described in the act as " all that part of the 
said county of Tioga bounded southerly by Pennsylvania, westerly by 
the town of Tioga (Owego creek), northerly by the north bounds of the 
county of Tioga, and easterly by the rivers Chenango and Susque- 
hanna." 

Thus the town as originally established Included all the territory be- 
tween Owego creek and the Chenango river, and extended from the 
state line north to include about one tier of towns ofif the south side of 
the military tract. Its area aggregated more than 700 square miles of 
land. Its present area, after having been several times reduced by the 
creation of other towns, is about 33 square miles, or 20,872.5 acres of 
land. The act also directed that the first town meeting be held at the 
house of Nehemiah Spaulding, a pioneer in the vicinity of the hamlet 
called Hooper. 

As originally constituted, the town embraced portions of several great 
tracts of patented land, the principal of which was the historic Boston 
purchase, of which mention is made in another chapter of this work. 
Reduced to its present area the town includes only portions of the Bos- 
ton purchase together with that part of the Hooper- Wilson-Bingham 
tract that lies north of the Susquehanna and west of the west line of the 
city of Binghamton. 



614 THE TOWN OF UNION, 

The town has been reduced in area by the creation of the towns of 
Oxford and Norwich, in Chenango county, in 1793; Tioga (now the 
town of Owego) in 1800, taking from Union all that part of the town of 
Owego which lies east of Owego creek and west of the western boundary 
of Broome county; Lisle, including the territory of the present towns of 
Barker, Nanticoke and Triangle, in 1801; a part of Greene, Chenango 
county, in 1808; Vestal, in 1823; and Maine in 1848. A small part of 
Tioga was annexed in 1810, and a part of Lisle, April 11, 1827. 

Union is on the western border of Broome county, north of the Sus- 
quehanna river, south of Maine and west of the city ; and is entirely sur- 
rounded with towns which were formed from its own territory. The 
land surface is well watered and drained by the Susquehanna river and 
Nanticoke creek and their tributaries. The valley of each of these 
streams is exceedingly fertile, and the level lands extend well back from 
the water courses. Nanticoke creek, which takes its name from a small 
tribe of Tuscarora Indians that once dwelt in the vicinity, drains the 
north part of the town, and on both sides of the stream are broad areas of 
rich land, which attracted the notice of pioneers more than a century 
ago, and which ever since has been cultivated with excellent results by 
succeeding generations of husbandmen. Indeed, for more than a hun- 
dred years Union in general has been regarded as one of the best agricul- 
tural towns of the valley, and it was the known quality of the soil that 
induced the hardy pioneer to come and make settlements and improve- 
ments several years before any civil jurisdiction was sought to be exer- 
cised over this part of Montgomery county. 

In the summer of 1779 a detachment of American troops invaded the 
Susquehanna valley for the purpose of destroying every vestige of the 
Indian occupation then existing, and for the equally important purpose 
of visiting condign punishment on the Indians themselves for the terrible 
outrages inflicted by the savages upon the border settlements of the 
Americans. General Clinton's force traveled the valley from Otsego 
lake to the western borders of Tioga county, where his men joined the 
main army under General Sullivan, and thence proceeded to devastate 
the Indian country west of Seneca lake. But through one cause or 
another Gen. Clinton was delayed in his journey and at the appointed 
time failed to appear at the rendezvous at Tioga Point. Anxious lest 
Clinton had encountered a formidable force of Indians and tories, Gen. 
Sullivan dispatched Gen. Poor with a strong detachment of men to rein- 
force Clinton in case of need. His body of sturdy Americans came up 



THE TOWN OF UNION. 015 

the river and on the night of August 18 encamped on the south bank, 
opposite the present village of Union. In the meantime Clinton's men 
were making sure but slow progress down the valley, traveling both 
by land and by water. On August 18 the troops arrived at the junc- 
tion of the Susquehanna and Chenango rivers, destroying the Indian 
habitations at Ochenang (on the site of Binghamton) and Otseningo 
(old Chenango village on the west bank of the Chenango about a mile 
above its mouth), and then passed on down and encamped on the north 
side of the Susquehanna not far from the present Sayer farm. On the 
following day the march and the work of annihilation were resumed, 
nine Indian houses on the south side of the river being destroyed before 
the armies united at Chugnut (Choconut, an Indian village on the site 
of Vestal) where there were several Indian houses. These, too, were 
burned, after which the united forces proceeded down the river to the 
rendezvous. 

Thus it is seen that in the summer of 1779 a considerable body of 
men visited and camped on the soil of the town of Union of later years. 
These men were careful observers of the situation and surroundings of 
the country through which they passed, and in his diary of events of 
the expedition Lieut. Wm. McKendry said concerning the region now 
called Union: " This is a fine large flat, chiefly on the right hand of 
the river going down." 

In 1782, just three years after the memorable campaign of 1779, 
Amos Draper, an Indian trader, took up his abode at the mouth of the 
Choconut on the Vestal side of the river, and began trading guns, rum, 
calicos and trinkets to the Indians in exchange for furs. In 1784 James 
McMaster, who was one of Clinton's army, came down the valley on a 
prospecting tour. He met Draper and a strong friendship sprung up 
between them. McMaster remained a day or two at Chugnut, then 
passed down the river to Ah-wa-ga (Owego), where he made a settle- 
ment, and where he afterward lived and died. He was the first sheriff 
of Tioga county in 1791 and was chosen from the town of Union. 
Amos Draper, as has been mentioned, was a trader and made no at- 
tempt at developing the land until after his removal to Owego several 
years later, but McMaster came to the region to make a home for him- 
self and his family. He soon returned to his old home on the Mohawk, 
but in 1785 brought his brother, two other men and a boy, and located 
permanently on the site of Owego village. He was the pioneer of 
Union, although before the town was created and organized many other 



6l6 THE TOWN OF UNION. 

settlers had come and begun improvements. Indeed, so rapid was set- 
tlement in the valley that in 1791 there lived in the town a total of 177 
persons who were assessed for highway labor, but when they came to the 
locality no present resident of the town can accurately state. Reliable 
authorities on early history in Union state that Amos Draper, Nehemiah 
Crawford, Briant Stoddard, Nathan Howard, Jabesh Winship, Caleb 
Merriman and Winthrop Roe were the first settlers within the present 
limits of the town, and that they came in 1785. About the same time 
there was added to the number of settlers Joshua and John Mersereau, 
Gen. Orringh Stoddard, Nehemiah Spaulding, Walter Sabin, Capt. 
William Brink, Moses Chambers, Ezekiel and Oliver Crocker, Jeremiah 
and Benjamin Brown, Amos Patterson, Abner Rockwell and Medad and 
Elisha Bro7/n. James Ross and Jabesh Winship built a grist mill on 
Nanticoke creek in 1791, and Jabesh Winship opened the first tavern at 
the same place in the same year. 

After the town was organized in 1791 the inhabitants in town meet- 
ing divided the territory into nine road districts and selected a path- 
master in each district. The officer in each district made and reported 
to the town clerk the names of all inhabitants in his jurisdiction who 
were liable to assessment for highway work, and thus a reasonably ac- 
curate list of inhabitants of the town at that time is obtained. It must 
be remembered that Union at that time was an extensive jurisdiction, 
larger in fact than many present counties of the state, hence the names 
of several heads of families are given who did not live within the limits 
of the town as now constituted. 

The first of the nine road districts into which the town was divided 
began at Owego creek and extended up the Susquehanna river to " Big 
Island," a distance of little more than four miles. The district also ex- 
tended (as also did the others along the river) from the state line north- 
ward indefinitely, or as far as settlements were made. District No. 1 
formed no part of the present town of Union, hence the names of its in- 
habitants in this connection are not necessary. 

District No. 2, of which David Hammond was pathmaster, began at 
the head of Big Island and extended east to Daniel Read's place. The 
eastern boundary was very near the present line between Owego and 
Union, and the district may have included some parts of the latter town. 
Its inhabitants were Silas, Uriah and Wilder Gaskill, Samuel Smith; 
Charles Dodge, Jonathan Hammond, Seth Jakeway, John Taylor, James 
Larned, Moses Ingersoll, Reuben Holbrook, Gideon Thayer, David 



THE TOWN OF UNION. 617 

Hilton, Matthew Hammond, Daniel Thurston, Benjamin Lewis, Nathan 
Hammond, Nathan Burritt and David Hammond. 

District No. 3 (Daniel Read, pathmaster), began at Read's place on 
the river and extended thence east to William Roe's place, near or east 
of the mouth of Nanticoke creek. The inhabitants of this district were 
Moses Read, Levi Wheeler, Samuel Atkins, David Barney, Francis 
Norwood, William Read, Amaziah Otis, Isaac Harris, Thomas Tracy, 
Cohoon Reynolds, Rowell Smith, John Kelly, William Roe, John Row- 
ley, Zimri Barney, Jeremiah Taylor and Daniel Read. 

District No. 4 (John Harvey, pathmaster), extended from Col. Roe's 
place east along the river to Nathan Harvey's and included the present 
village of Union as well as a large area of territory both north and 
south of the Susquehanna. The inhabitants of the district were Enoch 
Warren, Ezra Eaton, Ebenezer Wyeth, Simeon Bundy, Luther Barney, 
Jabesh Winship, Daniel Price, Jeremiah Brown, Jonathan Thomas, 
William Lamb, Walter Sabin, Caleb Merriman, Samuel Coe, Solomon 
Moore, Joshua Mersereau, Asa Ward, Amos Mix, Capt. Parks, William 
Milton, Jeremiah Seward, Ruggles Winchell, Ezekiel Verguson, Stephen 
Childs and John Harvey. 

District No. 5 (Orringh Stoddard, pathmaster), extended from Na- 
than Howard's place east to Amos Patterson's (now John Sayer's place) 
and included many of the prominent pioneers of the town, whose names 
were closely identified with early history, and whose descendants are 
now living in the vicinity. The inhabitants of this district were Na- 
than Howard, Solomon and Stephen Stoddard, Benjamin Brown, Will- 
iam H. Lee, Samuel and Daniel Seymour, Lewis Keeler, Nehemiah 
Spaulding, Anson Gary, John Church, Amasa Winchell, Nehemiah Crof- 
fut, Moses Chambers (Henry G. Jackson's place), Ezekiel Crocker, Zad- 
dock Griswold, James Wood, Asahel Churchill, Elnathan Norton, 
Amasa Norton, Henry Richards, Benjamin Winchell, Asa Osborn, Gen. 
Orringh Stoddard. 

District No. 6 (Ebenezer Green, jr., pathmaster) extended east from 
Amos Patterson's to the Chenango river, and included within its bound- 
aries many pioneer heads of families of Union and of Chenango of later 
years. They were Ebenezer and William Green, Amos Patterson, 
Russell Gates, Asa Smith, John Green, James Brink, Joseph Edmister, 

William and James Edmister, Clark, Thomas Marean, William 

Alvord and Ebenezer Green, jr. 

District No. 7 (James Lyon, he who kept the ferry across the Chenango 



618 THE TOWN OF UNION. 

where is now the Ferry street bridge in the city, pathmaster) extended 
from Christopher Whitney's place (on Whitney flats above Mt. Prospect) 
up the Chenango to Samuel D. Wolf's place. The other districts in- 
cluded no part of the present town of Union, hence the names of their 
inhabitants can have no direct relation to the history of the town. 

Having thus recalled the names of the taxable inhabitants of the town 
in 1791, it is also proper that some brief allusion be made to the work 
of the pioneers through whose efforts the lands were cleared and fine 
farms were opened for cultivation. Through this means a prosperous 
condition of domestic life was established in the town more than a cen- 
tury ago, and all succeeding generations have been benefited by the 
work of their worthy ancestors. 

The first settlers in Union, as has been noted, were Amos Draper and 
James McMaster, the former locating south of the river, while the lat- 
ter made his choice of lands on the site of Owego village, and where he 
was afterward joined by Draper. 

Benjamin and Jeremiah Brown, both of whom are mentioned among 
the taxable inhabitants in the list of 1791, were among the earliest set- 
tlers, having located near Hooper in 1785. Opposite them lived Col. 
Coe, a settler of the same year and a worthy character in the ea^ly his- 
tory of the town, but of whom present information appears to be 
meagre. 

Gen. Orringh Stoddard came to this vicinity in 1785, being one of the 
five commissioners sent by the proprietary of the Boston Purchase to 
negotiate with the Indians for the extinguishment of their title to the 
land. He was one of the foremost men of the town in his time, and as' 
a patriot of the revolution he was greatly respected throughout the 
county ; but while he was not specially conspicuous in town affairs he 
nevertheless exercised a strong influence in the selection of public offi- 
cers. Judge Briant Stoddard was his son, and attained a higher stand- 
ing in the political history of the county than his father. He was made 
judge of the Common Pleas of the county, and also was prominent in 
town affairs. He opened and for a time kept public house (The Trav- 
elers' Inn) on what was afterward known as the William Gray farm, 
where at one time an attempt was made to found a village settlement. 
In a measure this attempt succeeded, and when in 1800, Gen. Stoddard 
was appointed postmaster and the office was removed from Chenango 
village it was located not in Union village, as is erroneously supposed, 
but in the little Stoddard settlement in the vicinity where the highway 



THE TOWN OF UNION. 0l9 

leading from the city to Union crosses the raih'oad tracks, just east of 
John Sayer's place. James Stoddard, brother of the general, settled in 
Lisle and was the pioneer head of a prominent family in that locality. 

Nehemiah Spaulding made a settlement in the town in 1785, locating 
on the land which more recently comprised the farm of Reuben and 
William Spaulding. The Spaulding locality attracted much attention 
in early days by reason of the fact that it was proposed to establish the 
eastern half shire center of Tioga county in the immediate vicinity of 
the pioneer's house; and in 1792 courts were held beneath his hospita- 
ble roof. But in 1793 the greater influence of Joshua Whitney pre- 
vailed with the powers and the place of holding courts was transferred 
to Chenango village, the little hamlet above Mt. Prospect, of which ex- 
tended mention is made in an earlier chapter. 

William Sabin, whose settlement dates from 1785, came to the town 
as a surveyor for the Boston Purchase proprietors. His land was near 
Nanticoke creek. The surname Sabin at one time was well represented 
in Union, but nearly if not quite all are now gone. 

Capt. William Brink, a German from the Wyoming valley, was an- 
other settler here in 1785, and if all recollections of the doughty pioneer 
be true, he indeed was a man of valor as well as a worthy developer of 
the land. He settled on the river, a little west of Gen. Stoddard's 
place. While living in the Wyoming valley, the captain had the mis- 
fortune to lose all his cattle by an ice flood. He then removed to the 
Delaware river country, but soon came to the Boston Purchase. Cap- 
tain Brink is recalled as a man of prodigous strength, and the stories of 
his adventures while on hunting expeditions are occasionally retold 
when examples of remarkable valor are in demand. James Brink was 
a son of the captain. The family was noted for the longevity of its 
members. The surname now has few representatives in the county. 

Ezekiel Crocker also came to the town in 1785, and during his life- 
time was one of its foremost citizens. He was one of the original pro- 
prietors of the Boston Purchase, and at one time was looked upon as 
one of the wealthiest men of the town. Through unfortunate specula- 
tions in salt during the war of 1812-15, his fortune was swept away and 
he died poor. Col. Oliver Crocker wa? the son of pioneer Ezekiel 
Crocker, and when he first came to this county he worked for the elder 
Joshua Whitney at Whitney's Flats, above Mt. Prospect; but later on 
he located on a 400 acre tract of land near his father's home, and which 
to this day is known as the Crocker place. In early Union history, Col. 



620 THE TOWN OF UNION. 

Crocker was a prominent figure, and indeed in the county he was re- 
garded as one of the most influential men. He acted as land agent for 
his father and also for other large proprietors, and in connection with 
his personal enterprises he made occasional trips to New York, nearly 
always traveling on foot. On one of these visits he returned with half 
a bushel of apple seeds, a portion of which he planted, selling another 
part, and taking the remainder to Cayuga county and planting them on 
a 1,200-acre farm in that region. In 1800 Col. Crocker built a large house 
on his farm in Union, which was kept for many years as a tavern. He 
lived to a good old age, and was generally respected throughout the 
county. His descendants are still living in the town and also in the 

city. 

Winthrop Roe came to the town in 1786 or '87, moving with his fam- 
ily from Connecticut in the dead of winter, and conveying his effects on 
an ox sled. He, too, was an old revolutionary patriot and a man much 
respected in the town. His sons were William and Solomon Roe, and 
his daughter was Hannah Roe. She married Joseph Chambers, son of 
Moses Chambers, also a pioneer in Union. 

Moses Chambers came about 1786 and cleared the farm on which Henry 
G. Jackson now lives. The surname Chambers was afterward for many 
years prominently known in Union history and was represented by a 
number of worthy descendants. Joseph, Benjamin and Moses Cham- 
bers, jr., were sons of the pioneer, Joseph being a surveyor and farmer. 
The old Chambers farm is still frequently mentioned in designating 
localities in that part of the town. 

Lewis Keeler settled in the town in 1789, having come from Connec- 
ticut. He lived for a time in the family of General Stoddard, and gained 
a livelihood by working at the trade of tailoring. It is related of Keeler 
that in 1793 he returned east to visit friends, but when again on his way 
to Union he chanced to overtake a woman on horseback, who was jour- 
neying to Lisle where she proposed to buy land and settle. As the 
journey progressed th3 casual acquaintance ripened into a stronger feel- 
ing and when the couple reached Chenango village they were married. 
Keeler then turned landlord and opened the first public house in the 
settlement above Mt. Prospect ; and in 1801 when the hamlet was re- 
moved to Chenango Point the worthy landlord built and opened a tav- 
ern at the southeast corner of Court and Water streets. Mr. Keeler 
also was connected with the early improvements at the settlement called 
Nanticoke, near the mouth of Nanticoke creek. Lewis, William and 



THE TOWN OF UNION. 021 

Charles Keeler, who were well known in Union history, were sons of 
Lewis Keeler, the pioneer. 

Joshua Mersereau came to what is now the town of Union in 1789 
settling first on the south side of the river, but soon afterward remov- 
ing to the north side where he lived and died. His lands included 300 
acres and embraced much of the village tract. The early history of 
Union was marked by the settlement of many strong men, and in still 
later years this part of Tioga county was noted for the strength of char- 
acter and general worth of its settlers, but among them all Judge Mer- 
sereau stood foremost. Moreover, numerous representatives of the 
family surname have ever since lived in the town, and all have been in 
some prominent manner identified with the growth and development of 
the locality, and with its best interests, civil and political. Joshua Mer- 
sereau was a native of France, of Huguenot ancestry, and with his father 
and other members of the family came to America to escape the persecu- 
tions of the rulers of his mother country. They settled on Staten Island, 
and during the struggle for American independence, Joshua attained a 
standing of prominence. He then was a young man and at the beginning 
of the struggle he was appointed by Genenal Washington to the rank of 
major; but as he appeared better fitted for business than a soldier's life, he 
was assigned to commissary duty, among other things being charged with 
the care of British prisoners. His rank was that of quartermaster- gen- 
eral, from which his military title was derived. During the war, he 
was frequently in the presence of Washington, and the latter often 
sought rest beneath General Mersereau's hospitable roof. After the close 
of the war he was elected to the assembly and served in that body until 
1784, when he removed to Otsego county. He came thence to Union 
in 1789 and at once took a leading part in the affairs of the region, and 
also of the county and town after they were created. When the county 
was set off from Montgomery county Judge Mersereau, it is said, 
selected the name of new divisions, the county of Tioga and the town of 
Union. Judge Mersereau represented Broome county in the assembly 
in 1816. 

John Mersereau, brother of Joshua, settled in Union in 1792. He 
came from Staten Island, where he formerly had been landlord of the 
famous " Blazing Star " tavern, a noted hostelry during the colonial and 
revolutionary periods. Joshua and John Mersereau are said to have run 
the first stage coaches between New York and Philadelphia, and John is 
likewise credited with having brought into the country the first post- 



632 THE TOWN OF UNION. 

coach. Peter, John, jr., and Joshua Mersereau (2d) were sons of John, 
the settler of 1792. 

Among the prominent descendants of these worthy pioneers in the 
town may be mentioned the names of Lawrence Mersereau, Major Da- 
vid Mersereau, Joseph Mersereau, Edward C. and Aaron Mersereau, 
Theodore T. Mersereau, Wm. W. Mersereau and others equally worthy 
of special mention, perhaps, but whose names are not now recalled, but 
all of whom were in some manner indentified with the history of the 
localities in which their lives were chiefly spent. Not only in Union 
alone, but in Vestal, Binghamton and other localities has the name Mer- 
sereau found its way in business and political circles; and wherever 
found it ever has stood for strict integrity and moral worth. Further de- 
tail in this connection is unnecessary. The pioneers of Union were a 
substantial set of men, but among them all the surname Mersereau 
stands pre-eminent. 

Samuel Smith came into the town about 1789, or perhaps earlier, and 
located one mile south of the Centre, where he carried on a farm, also 
did land surveying and settled any disputes that arose among the settlers, 
for he was an early justice of the peace. He came from Vermont, and 
was accompanied by his father. The late John B. Smith, who died in 
Binghamton, the late Francis B. Smith, of the old Broome county bar, 
and Samuel Smith, who now lives in Wisconsin, were sons of pioneer 
Samuel Smith. 

Amos Patterson, better known as Judge Patterson, came into the town 
previous to 1790, but the exact year of his arrival cannot now be deter- 
mined. He located about three miles west of Binghamton but after- 
ward settled permanently on what is now known as the John H. Sayer 
farm, where he built the once famous " Washingtonian hall," in which 
Mr. Sayer now resides. Judge Patterson was prominently connected 
with the Boston Purchase tract and acted as agent for the sale of a part 
of its lands. His title was acquired by having served as one of the 
judges of the Common Pleas court, of Tioga county. 

Henry Richards came in 1791 and settled on a 400-acre tract of land 
which included the site of the hamlet called East Union. He was a 
native of Wales and a pioneer in the Wyoming valley, from the latter 
place coming to Union. He kept a store and also carried on a distill- 
ery in connection with his farm. He had a large family, among his 
sons being Thomas Richards (who lived in the town until about 1840), 
Casper Richards (father of Dr. Charles B. Richards of Binghamton; 



THE TOWN OF UNION. 603 

Dr. Jesse I. Richards of Buffalo and afterward of Kansas City; Henry 
Richards, now living in Michigan), Jesse Richards, better known as 
"Squire" Richards, he having held the office of justice for sixteen 
years (father of Mrs. James F. Bloomer and Dan S. Richards of Bing- 
hamton; Mrs. J. G. Smyth, John H. Richards and Mrs. Thomas How- 
ard of Chicago ; Mrs. Christopher Gray and Mrs. John H. Sayer of this 
town). 

The pioneers whose names are recalled on preceding pages were 
settlers in the town before any civil organization of the territory was 
established, and while the region formed a part of Montgomery county. 
In 1791 Tioga county was set off from the mother county, and at the 
same time the town of Union was created. With the organization of 
the latter jurisdiction pioneer settlements may be regarded as having 
ceased, and all later comers were called early settlers. However, in 
many cases the work of the settlers was arduous and equally worthy 
with that of their predecessors in the territory, for while the latter laid 
the foundation for the settlement the former built up and enlarged up- 
on 'the work already accomplished, with the result that Union early 
took rank with the best towns in Tioga county. However, before pro- 
ceeding to the subject of civil organization and history it is proper that 
incidental mention be made of those who were among the early settlers 
in the town. 

Among those who came to the town after the organization was efl^ect- 
ed and previous to 1800, the names of the following may be recalled: 
Abner Rockwell located near Union Centre about 1792. His descend- 
ants were prominently identified with town affairs in later years. El- 
nathan Norton came about the same time and settled east of the Centre, 
where he was a farmer and tavern keeper as well as being an active 
person in town affairs. Medad Bradley came from Berkshire county, 
Mass., in 1791, and was followed two years later by Elisha B. Bradley 
and Isaac M. Martin. Rowland Davis came in 1794, Aaron Lashier in 
1795, the latter settling on Oak Hill. Orrin Whittemore, the respected 
head of a numerous family of descendants in this part of the county, 
settled on lot No. Ill, north of Union village, some time previous to 
1800, but the exact time cannot now be determined. Nearly all the 
Whittemore families in Union, and many who are now settled in other 
localities, are descendants of Orrin Whittemore; and among the num- 
ber have been found some of the best business men of Broome county. 
Russell Gates settled in the site of Hooper some time previous to 1795. 



624 THE TOWN OF UNION. 

William Gates, who was born in Union in 1795, and who afterward en- 
tered the Baptist ministry, was the son of Russell Gates. 

William Weston, a revolutionary patriot, settled in the town in 1798. 
His sons were James, Henry, William and Samuel Weston. Samuel 
Allen came about the same time, perhaps earlier, and opened a good 
farm. His descendants are still in the town; Frank B. Allen, Mrs. 
Lewis Jennison and William H. Allen, of Lestershire, being descendants 
of the pioneer. Their father was Lawrence Allen, frequently known 
as " Larry " Allen, a worthy resident of the town for many years. Mrs. 
Major Edward H. Hotchkiss, of Binghamton, is a daughter of Law- 
rence Allen. Richard Crocker came from Saybrook, Conn., in 1800, 
and opened a blacksmith shop in Hooper. Later on he removed to the 
vicinity of Union village, but just before 1850 he moved to the town of 
Maine. 

Dr. Chester Lusk, whose name was prominently associated with the 
early history both of the county and town, was the first physician in 
Union. He came from the Hudson river valley in 1800 and for several 
years was the only doctor in the western part of the town. His second 
wife was a sister of General Thomas G. Waterman, of Binghamton. Dr. 
Lusk was killed by accident in 1825. 

Referring briefly to other early settlers in the town, mention may be 
made of David Moody, who left his former home in Vermont in 1812 
and bought a new residence in the Susquehanna valley. Mr. Moody 
was offered level lands along the river, but preferred the more elevated 
region back from the stream, on Bean hill, where he made a comforta- 
ble home. His sons were Nehemiah, Stephen, Charles (father of Ed- 
win C. Moody of Binghamton) and John Moody, the latter for years a 
practicing lawyer of New York. 

Luther Dennison settled northeast of Union village in 1816, and in 
the same year Peter Broas came from Ulster county and settled on the 
farm which for many years afterward was owned by his descendants. 
Oliver Russell was the first settler on lot No. 58, where his son Henry 
was born and afterward lived. Arthur Gray located in Chenango Point 
in 1802, and for several years was identified with the early history of 
that hamlet. In 1828, after selling his land at the Point, he removed 
to Union and settled on land now occupied by his son, Christopher C. 
Gray. John T. Johnson located on lot No. 22 soon after 1820. Samuel 
Badger was a pioneer in Colesville and an early settler in Vestal (1820). 
He came to Union in 1832. 



THE TOWN OF UNION. 625 

Still other early and prominent residents in the town were Joseph 
Sayer, father of John H. Sayer, the latter the occupant of the old 
" Washingtonian hall " which Amos Patterson built in the early years 
of the century. Manley Gibbs was another settler worthy of mention. 
He came with his father previous to 1820 and settled on Oak hill. Al- 
van Bean was the first settler on Bean hill. He and David Moody 
were about the only settlers in that locality for several years. Jona- 
than Day was the pioneer of Day Hollow, which was named after him. 
He came in 1814 and was the progenitor of a substantial line of de- 
scendants. J. B. Day, the veteran landlord of the Major House, is the 
grandson of settler Jonathan Day. Eldad Bassett, another early set- 
tler, came from Connecticut. Settler Samuel Crocker was the father 
of Elias Crocker. Samuel Le Barron was the head of a family whose 
descendants still live in the town and are among its worthy citizens. 
William Allen settled here in 1810. Marcus M. Badger came before 
1830, but the exact date is now unknown. Benjamin Balch came in 
1810 and was a prominent man in town affairs and also was well known 
in early military circles. Joseph Cleveland came to the site of Hooper 
in 1813 and cleared a good farm. 

There were also among the early settlers the Hawks family, the Hig- 
bees, Philander Hooper, Luther Jenison, Edward Keeler, Chauncey 
Newell (a native of the town, born 1816), James Roberts, Captain Coles 
Bloomer (settled in the town in 1837; the father of James F., Elijah F., 
Edward M. and the late Alvah Bloomer, all of whom for years were 
factors in Binghamton history), Abram Tyler, Joshua Rozelle, John 
Twining, Abraham Vandemark, Isaac G. Whittemore, Jasper Whitte- 
more, Matthew Whittemore and others whose names are worthy of 
mention, but are lost with the lapse of years. 

Thus is written the history of pioneership and early settlement m 
one of the oldest and most interesting towns in Broome county or in 
the southern tier. In many respects the character of the pioneers of 
Union was in marked contrast with that of the first settlers in other 
towns, for here were found men of remarkable intelligence ; men of 
strong mental and moral worth; men capable of holding and safely 
directing the affairs of high public offi:e, and at the same time men 
sufficiently cosmopolitan in habits and life to begin in an humble way, 
lay a new foundation and thereon build up and improve for the benefit 
of themselves and their families, and thus make easy the path of their 
successors. A glance at the names of the settlers and an exammation 

40 



G26 THE TOWN OF UNION. 

of the civil list of the county will show to the reader that Union was 
foremost in furnishing men of prominence to fill public office; and in 
later years the town has not been overlooked in the distribution of po- 
litical favors. 

The claim is not made that every pioneer and every early settler has 
been mentioned on preceding pages, for many who dwelt in the town 
three-quarters of a century and more ago have left no descendants to 
tell the tale of trials and successes of their ancestors. Of the pioneers 
not one now lives, and the great majority of their sons and daughters 
also have passed away. But it is hoped that in this chapter a reason- 
ably faithful record has been made, and that in a way the names at 
least of nearly all the old families of the town have been mentioned. 

The reader will remember that in 1781 Union contained 177 heads of 
families or persons who were assessed for highway work, and that they 
were scattered over a territory several hundred miles in extent. That 
number of assessable persons probably represented a total population 
of 600 actual inhabitants. The first Federal census was made one year 
previous to the time the town was set off and organized, hence the re- 
ports furnish nothing to indicate the real number of inhabitants in that 
year. 

The census reports usually are regarded as a fair index of the growth 
of any town, but in Union the area originally was so great, and was so 
frequently reduced by the creation of other towns, that the actual in- 
crease in population is only partially shown. On an earlier page will be 
seen the extent of the town in 1791, and also the years in which other 
towns were formed from this. Maine was the latest jurisdiction created 
from the mother town, and since that year (1848) the fluctuations in 
Union's population are accurately shown. 

According to the census reports of 1800, the town in that year con- 
tained 921 inhabitants; in 1810, 998; 1814, 1,284; 1820, 2,037; 1825, 
1,647; 1830, 2,121; 1835, 2,415; 1840, 3,165; 1845, 3,519; 1850, 2,143; 
1855, 2,463; 1860, 2,092; 1865, 2,532; 1870, 2,538; 1875, 2,637; 1880, 
2,596; 1885, no count; 1890, 2,711; and in 1892, according to the un- 
official count of that year the number of inhabitants in the town was 
3,172. In that year Lestershire was a village of a few hundred popu- 
lation, for it was chiefly built up after 1890. It is now a flourishing 
manufacturing and trade center, having a total population of 3,000, 
hence, at the present time the town of Union must contain about 6,000 
inhabitants. 



THE TOWN OF UNION. 627 

Organization. — In accordance with the provisions of the act of the 
legislature creating Tioga county and its several towns, the first town 
meeting in Union was held at the house of Nehemiah Spaulding on the 
first Tuesday in April, 1791. At that time the officers elected were as 
follows: 

Supervisor, Joshua Whitney; town clerk, Silas Hutchinson; assess- 
ors, Daniel Seymour, Silas Hutchinson, William Bates; poormasters, 
James Lyon, Silas Gaskill; commissioners of highways, Amaziah 
Hutchinson, William Whitney, Nathan Howard, William Bates, Amos 
Draper. The commissioners of highways were directed to regulate 
ferries across the Chenango and Susquehanna rivers within the bound- 
aries of the town. 

At an election held at the house of pioneer Spaulding on the last 
Tuesday in April, "according to law," the polls were kept open four 
days. This was a general election, the inspectors of the occasion being 
Joshua Whitney, who served two days; Amaziah Hutchinson, four days; 
Daniel Seymour, four days, and William Bates, two days. The most 
important duty devolving on the officers during the first few years of 
town history was that which fell upon the commissioners of highways, 
for applications for roads came from all parts of the jurisdiction. The 
first road regularly laid out by the town was that extending up the west 
bank of the Chenango river, followed by another from the old mill at 
Castle creek west into the Chenango township of the Boston Purchase. 
These old highways, while not specially important elements of town 
history, by reason of subsequent changes in route, were nevertheless 
of great convenience to the inhabitants. Among the settlers living or 
owning lands along the line of the thoroughfares mentioned, whose 
names are not recalled on preceding pages, were Roswell Smith, Cap- 
tain Eaton, Daniel Reed, David Hammond, Reuben Holbrook and Ben- 
jamin Winchell. 

The second town meeting was held April 3 and 4, 1792, at which time 
these officers were chosen: Joshua Whitney, supervisor; Silas Hutch- 
inson, town clerk ; Luke Bates, Samuel Coe, William Rose and Daniel 
Read, assessors; Daniel Hudson, Samuel Coe, John Patterson, John 
M. Quigg and Orringh Stoddard, commissioners of highways; James 
Lyon and Nathaniel Lee, overseers of the poor; Solomon Stoddard, 
constable and collector; Peter Ingersoll, constable. 

At this meeting it was voted that the ferry tolls across the Chenango 
river should be three pence for a single man, six pence for a man and 



628 THE TOWN OF UNION. 

horse, "at common time of water," and at very high time, " when the 
river has overflown its banks," six pence for a man, and one shilling 
for a man and horse. 

The next town meeting was held April 1 and 2, 1793, at the house of 
William Whitney, and was conducted under the superintendence of 
Daniel Seymour, Joshua Mersereau and Nehemiah Spaulding, justices 
of the peace. On this occasion the freeholders voted to pay a bounty 
of two pounds for every grown wolf or panther, and one pound for 
every young wolf or panther, killed in the town. 

At the town meeting held in April, 1795, commissioners of schools 
were first chosen, and were John Patterson, Joshua Mersereau, Edward 
Edwards, Daniel Hudson and John Moore. This selection of commis- 
sioners was in pursuance of a notice to the town from the supervisors 
of the county to the effect that state moneys to the sum of 70 pounds, 
14 shillings, had been apportioned to the county. The amount due 
this town at that time is not recorded in the minutes. 

In 1800 the town was divided and Owego (then known as Tioga) was 
set off as a separate town. The town meeting in that year was held 
at the house of Nehemiah Spaulding, and was conducted by Joshua 
Mersereau, Daniel Hudson and Daniel Seymour, justices of the peace. 
The division of the town in this year established substantially the pres- 
ent western boundary of Broome country as the dividing line between 
the towns of Union and Tioga. 

The town officers elected in 1800 were as follows: Charles Stone, 
supervisor; Balthazar De Hart, town clerk; Daniel Seymour, Joseph 
Brooks and John La Grange, assessors; Daniel Seymour, James Brooks 
and John La Grange, commissioners of highways; Amos Patterson and 
Jabez Winship, overseers of the poor; Josiah Cafferty, Joseph Leonard 
and John Mersereau, jr., poundmasters; Balthazar De Hart, Joshua 
Mersereau and Daniel Hudson, commissioners of schools. 

The town records of Union have been well kept, but through some 
inadvertence the books covering the period of years between 1835 and 
1848, both inclusive, have been lost; and the most faithful inquiry has 
failed to discover their whereabouts. This loss makes an unfortunate 
break in the succession of supervisors, which is desirable in connection 
with the civil history of the town. However, from such records as are 
in existence the following list of supervisors and town clerks has been 
compiled. 

Supervisors. — Joshua Whitney, 1791-92; Jonathan Fitch, 1793; Dan- 



THE TOWN OF UNION. 629 

iel Hudson, 1794; Luke Bates, 1795; Orringh Stoddard. 1796-97; Sam- 
uel Seymour, 1798; Joshua Mersereau, 1799; Charles Stone, 1800; 
Amos Patterson, 1801-7; Chester Lusk, 1808-11; Briant Stoddard, 
1812-14; Chester Lusk, 1815-21; Chester Patterson, 1822; Joseph 
Chambers, 1823; Chester Lusk, 1824; Joseph Chambers, 1825; John 
K. Edwards, 1826-29; Briant Stoddard, 1830-33; John K. Edwards, 
1834; no records, 1835-48; Moses M. Benedict, 1849; David Mersereau, 
1850; Benjamin Balch, 1851-53; Samuel Whittemore, 1854; Benj. Balch, 
1855; Jesse Richards, 1856; Christopher Mersereau, 1857; Edward C. 
Mersereau, 1858-59; John R. Boswell, 1860; John Wheeler, 1861; 
David Pitkin, 1862; Samuel Smith, 1863; Edward C. Mersereau, 1864- 
66; Edwin C. Moody, 1867; Solomon Lashier, 1868; Edwin C. Moody, 
1869-70; Solomon Lashier, 1871; Elijah R. Barnes, 1872; Edwin C. 
Moody, 1873-75; Francis B. Smith, 1876-77; Fayette S. Keeler, 1878- 
81; Daniel J. Palmer, 1882-85; Alexander Jennings, 1886; Frank B. 
Twining, 1887; Alexander Jennings, 1888-91; Edward K. Mersereau, 
1892; Joe Howard, 1893; Edward K. Mersereau, 1894-95; Seymour G. 
Twining, 1896-97; Jesse Robinson, 1898-99. 

Town Clerks. — Silas Hutchinson, 1791-92; Solomon Stoddard, 1793; 
Silas Hutchinson, 1794; Solomon Stoddard, 1795; Roger Deland, 1796; 
Solomon Stoddard, 1797; Thomas Whitney, 1798; Solomon Stoddard, 
1799; Balthazar De Hart, 1800; Chester Lusk, 1801-6; Chester Patter- 
1807-20; Joseph Patterson, 1821; Briant Stoddard, 1822; Jonathan 
Day, 1823; Briant Stoddard, 1824-26; Daniel Nash, 1827-34; Elijah 
Evans, 1858-59; Martin C. Rockwell, 1860-61; Edwin C. Moody, 1862- 
66; W. W. Mersereau, 1867-68; Nathan W. Chandler, 1869; Moses B, 
Robbins, 1870; W. Dean Smith, 1871; H. C. Mersereau, 1872; Daniel 
J. Palmer, 1873-75; Fayette S. Keeler, 1876-77; Daniel J. Palmer, 
1878-81; George W. Tilbury, 1882-84; S. Mack Smith, 1885; George 
Lainhart, 1886; George W. Tilbury, 1887-88; J. M. Warner, 1889-93; 
L. C. Davenport, 1894-97; Frank A. Day, 1898; David C. Warner, 1899. 

The present officers (1899) of Union areas follows: Supervisor, Jesse 
Robinson; town clerk, David C. Warner; assessors, H. M. Bradley, 
Silas T. Swan, William H. Weeks; justices of the peace, A. Jennings 
(Union), J. Swartwout (Hooper), Wyman L. Edson (Union Centre), J. 
L. Fletcher (Lestershire); commissioner of highways, Daniel M. Moore; 
overseers of the poor, Seymour S. Shoultes, Lestershire; A. W. Whitte- 
more, Union; town board of health, the supervisor, justices of the 
peace, and Girard Bidwell ; health officer. Dr. E. N. Christopher, of 
Union. 



630 THE TOWN OF UNION. 

Early Justices of the Peace. — Previous to the constitution of 1831 
(modified in 1826) justices of the peace were appointed, and the old 
county records show that the office in Union was filled by these worthy 
settlers: Amos Patterson and Daniel Seymour, 1806, and reappointed in 
1809; Chester Lusk and Jonathan Day, 1810; Chester Lusk, Jonathan 
Day, Daniel Seymour, David Seymour and Amos Patterson, 1811; 
Chester Lusk and Elisha B. Bradley, 1813; David W. Whittemore, 
Elisha B, Bradley and Chester Lusk, 1814; Briant Stoddard and Daniel 
Seymour, 1815; Elisha B. Bradley, 1819; Lewis Keeler, 1820; Elisha 
B. Bradley, 1821; Joseph Chambers, James Whittemore and Thompson 
Lewis, 1823. 

From all that is stated on preceding pages it must be seen that the 
period of greatest growth in the history of the town was that which 
followed the war of 1812-15, and continued thence to about 1850. 
There was little to encourage settlement other than the generally pro- 
ductive character of the lands, as the town was practically without ex- 
tensive business interests except the grist mills which provided flour 
for domestic use and the saw mills for the manufacture of lumber. 
The vSusquehanna river and Nanticoke creek were important waterways 
during the lumbering period,' but after 1850 little was done in this di- 
rection, as the lands then were well cleared and the inhabitants devoted 
themselves almost entirely to agricultural pursuits. In 1849 the New 
York & Erie railroad was opened through the town and a station was 
established at Union village, followed later on by another at Hooper. 
The new means of travel perhaps had superior advantages over the 
mail and stage coaches of earlier years, but it is doubtful if the change 
was of real benefit to the inhabitants of Union village, for that hamlet 
was a famous stopping place on the route from Binghamton to Owego. 

In 1848 the last reduction in the territory of the town was made in 
the creation of the town of Maine. Two years later Union had 2,143 
inhabitants. From that time to 1890 there was a gradual increase in 
population, showing that the settlement of earlier years was of a per- 
manent character, and also that the town was not affected by the causes 

' statistics show that in 183.5 Union contained 13,030 acres of improved and 40,044 acres of un- 
improved lands. The value of its real property was $233,116, and of personal property $18,640. 
The total population of 3,415 comprised 1,355 males and 1,160 females. There were then 533 quali- 
fied electors; 17 school districts; 33,333 neat cattle ; .540 horses; .3,457 sheep; 1,896 swine. The 
number of yards of fulled cloth made was 3,913, and of flannel cloth, 4,703 yards. The industries 
comprised 3 grist mills, 35 saw mills, 1 carding mill, 1 potashery, 1 oilcloth factory and 3 tan- 
neries. The only post-offices in the town were at Union and Maine villages. 



THE TOWN OF UNION. 631 

which reduced the population of the majority of ag-ricultural towns 
throughout the interior of the state. The unusual growth since 1890 
has been largely due to the building up of Lestershire, one of the most 
prosperous villages of its kind in the east, and one which has grown 
from a population of less than 100 ten years ago to a flourishing munic- 
ipality of 3,000 inhabitants. 

Schools. — As early as 1795 the settlers took action in town meeting 
for the maintenance of public schools, although no records of the early 
history of this branch of government have been preserved. At the 
time mentioned the inhabitants elected John Patterson, Joshua Merser- 
eau, Edward Edwards, Daniel Hudson and John Moore as commis- 
sioners of schools, but the record of their proceedings cannot now be 
found. It is known, however, that a school was established in the 
Mersereau neighborhood as early as 1800, and in the next year a school 
house was in existence near Amos Patterson's dwelling. 

In 1813 the state made somewhat ample provision for the support of 
common schools, and in accordance with the laws then enacted the 
territory of the town was divided into districts. In 181G Chester Lusk, 
Chester Patterson and Aaron Mersereau, commissioners, established 
three districts on the south side of the Susquehanna river. The com- 
missioners acting in 1817, as shown by county records, were Chester 
Lusk and John Dunbar, while the number of districts in the town was 
12. In 1818 Chester Lusk and Briant Stoddard were commissioners; 
in 1819, John Dunbar and Elisha B. Bradley; in 1820, Chester Lusk 
and Elisha B. Bradley; in 1821, Chester Lusk, William Miller and Mar- 
tin Curtis. 

In 1821 the commissioners reported to the town the names of the text 
books used in the common schools. They were Webster's spelling 
book, Columbian spelling book, American preceptor, English reader, 
Walker's dictionary, Murray's English grammar and the New Testa- 
ment. 

In 1822 the town comprised sixteen districts, the commissioners be- 
ing John La Grange and Joseph Chambers. In this year the amount of 
money received by the commissioners for school purposes was $210.9-1, 
of which $98.14 came from the public school funds, the balance being 
raised by town tax. In 1823 there were eleven districts, among which 
was divided $23o.20 for school maintenance. Commissioners Joseph 
Chambers and S. W. Avery reported that the books then in use in the 
schools was the English reader, Murray's reader, Walker's dictionary. 



633 THE TOWN OF UNION, 

Daboll's and Pike & Dilworth's arithmetics, Cobb & Crandall's spelling 
book, and the New Testament. 

In 1824 there were ten entire and two partial districts, while the 
whole number of children attending school was 530. The number of 
children in the town between the ages of five and fifteen years was 483. 
The commissioners for the year were L. M. Smith, Chester Patterson 
and Aaron S. Slosson. Among the commissioners in later years may 
be mentioned Moses Delano, Samuel B. Curtis and Manna Newell in 
1825-26; Daniel Nash and John H. Broas in 1827; John H. Broas and 
John K. Edwards in 1828. 

In 1835 there were seventeen districts, and school was taught six 
months in the year. The number of children between the ages of five 
and sixteen years was 720, and the number attending school was 837. 

In 1850, Francis B. Smith, town superintendent of common schools 
(the office of commissioner having been superseded by that of superin- 
tendent) reported ten whole and eleven fractional districts in Union. 
The amount of moneys received for school purposes during the year 
was $481.17, of which $215.33 were received from the state school 
funds, while $265.84 were raised by town tax. The sum of $384.94 was 
paid during the year for teachers' wages, and $96.23 for library books. 
The number of children between the ages of five and fifteen years was 
556. 

According to the report of County School Commissioner Whitney 
for the year ending July 31, 1898 (the report for 1899 not having been 
filed), the town contains twenty districts, of which four are joint with 
Owego. The town also contains two Union free schools at (Union and 
Lestershire) of which mention is elsewhere made. During the year 
then ended, a total of $14,801.45 was received from all sources for 
school purposes, and of that amount $9,263 were paid teachers, $171.09 
for library books, $106.90 for apparatus, and $878.41 for repairs. The 
number of children in the town between the ages of eight and fourteen 
years (1897) was 444; number attending school 450. 

Villages and Hamlets. — During the period of its history there have 
been built up within the limits of the town several small trading cen- 
ters, two of which have become incorporated villages of considerable 
importance; and the youngest of them all has far outstripped its neigh- 
bors and become a thriving municipality. The oldest of these hamlets 
probably was the original settlement that once bore the name of Union, 
and was established near the point where the highway leading from 



THE TOWN OF UNION. C33 

Binghamton to the present village of Union crosses the railroad tracks, 
just east of John H. Sayer's residence. In this locality lived pioneers 
Amos Patterson, Orringh Stoddard, Ezekiel Crocker and others of in- 
fluence in the town. As is elsewhere stated. Judge Patterson built 
Washingtonian hall and opened it as a public house. About 1800 Gen- 
eral Stoddard was appointed postmaster to succeed the elder Joshua 
Whitney, who had kept the ofifice at Chenango village above Mt. Pros- 
pect. General Stoddard promptly removed the office to his residence 
and kept it there until 1802, when it was transferred to Chenango Point, 
or Binghamton. In the meantime Nanticoke and Union Corners were 
beginning to attract attention as trade centers and after the appoint- 
ment of William Woodruff as postmaster at Chenango Point, the little 
hamlet then called Union began to decline. The hotel, however, was 
maintained until about 1850, but the other evidences of the settlement 
soon disappeared. 

East Union was another early settled locality although nearly all ves- 
tige of its old-time importance long ago disappeared. It was here that 
pioneer Henry Richards settled in 1791, on lot No. 207 of the Boston 
Purchase, and soon afterward opened a stock of goods, and also started 
a distillery. A tavern also was one of the early evidences of village 
life, but now all have gone and only a hotel marks the site of the set- 
tlement. Long after Henry Richards' time, James F. Bloomer was a 
prominent factor in maintaining the hamlet character of East Union, 
but after his interests were sold the locality as a trading center began 
to lose ground. 

Nanticoke was once a hamlet of note in the town, but now nearly all 
traces of the settlement have gone. The village was situated on Nanti- 
coke creek about a mile west of Union Corners, or Union, as now 
known. Samuel Avery and Lewis Keeler appear to have been the 
original developers of the village enterprise, the former having a store 
and the latter a tavern on the road leading from Union Corners to 
Owego; but at that time the Corners was competing for the mastery 
as a trade center, and notwithstanding the endeavors of Nanticoke's 
promoters, the latter place gradually lost its prestige, while the Corners 
continued to grow. Martin Curtis was the last storekeeper at Nanti- 
coke. The tavern eventually was removed to Union and was placed 
on the site of the Major House of later years. The grist mill was orig- 
inally built by Charles Keeler and afterward passed through several 
ownerships before its destruction by fire about fifteen years ago. Har- 
rison & Edwards were its last proprietors. 



634 THE TOWN OF UNION. 

Hooper is the name of a small unincorporated village of perhaps less 
than a dozen dwellings, with one general store, a district school, and a 
milk depot on the main road leading from the city to Union. One of 
the earliest residents in this locality was Elisha Hooper, who came from 
Massachusetts in 1807, and died in 18G9. The hamlet, however, was 
named for Philander Hooper, son of the settler and one of the promi- 
nent men of the locality. 

John Twining was another early settler in the vicinity, and came 
from New Jersey in 1820. The Hoopers and the Twinings were the 
founders of the settlement and both for many years were identified with 
its history. The first merchant was J. C. Johnson, who was succeeded 
by Robert Hooper. The names of Zachariah Flint and James Brink 
were also associated with early events in the locality. It was not, how- 
ever, until the completion of the Erie railroad that Hooper assumed a 
position of any importance among the villages of the town. Soon after 
the road was opened Hooper was made a station and post-office, J. C. 
Johnson being the first postmaster. He was succeeded by Robert 
Hooper, Frank Hooper, J. D. Blakeslee, C. Shores, O. M. Newell, 
Frank B. Twining and others, about in the order mentioned, the office 
generally being kept in the store, with the owner himself in the capac- 
ity of postmaster. Frank B. Twining has kept store at Hooper about 
a quarter of a century. 

An interesting locality in the vicinity of Hooper and one which has 
drawn many visitors annually is the Carmel Grove camp meeting 
grounds, which are located about a half a mile north of the village 
proper. The Methodist societies of the city annually hold a week's 
meeting at the grove. 

The most recent acquisition for Hooper's benefit is the B., L. & U. 
Electric railway, which has proved of the greatest convenience to the 
residents of the locality, and has resulted in the erection of a hotel on 
the corner opposite the store. 

Union Centre is a small village of less than 250 inhabitants, situated 
on Nanticoke creek, four miles north of Union and nine miles from 
Binghamton by the "road over the hill." In the early history of the 
locality the names of Smith, Ward, Ketchum, Howard, Heath, An- 
drews, Pitkin, Boswell, Bradley, Bingham, Rockwell, Moulton, Cun- 
ningham and others were prominently associated with passing events. 
Nanticoke creek is the principal watercourse in this part of the town, 
while Crocker and Bradley creeks are tributaries near the Centre. A 



THE TOWN OF UNION. 6Bo 

saw mill was built here in 1812 by Richard Bradley and a Mr. Doud, 
and from that time to the present a mill of this character generally has 
been in operation. Its present proprietor is Barzilla Howard, who also 
operates a rake factory. Abner Heath was the first postmaster, and 
also served the public by keeping tavern. 

Forty years ago Union Centre was a place of considerable importance 
but in later days the attractions of larger business centers on line of the 
railroads has drawn away several of its best manufacturing industries 
and also much of its trade. In 1866 " Squire "J. R. Boswell dispen.sed 
justice and also carried on a churn, firkin, tub and barrel factory, doing 
a considerable business. P. O. Smith had a good general store. Dr. 
E. Lawyer looked after the physical welfare of the inhabitants of this 
part of the town. W. A. Norton made and repaired boots and shoes. 
D. Bostwick & Son made tubs and firkins. William Edson was a man- 
ufacturer of hand and hay rakes, broom, fork and hoe handles. J. D. 
St. Croix was the local wagon maker. A. A. Moulton also owned a 
hand and hay rake factory. Luke Ward sold feed and plaster. E. 
Cunningham run a barrel factory, and D. Mersereau made hand rakes 
and handles of various kinds. A good district school and the Congre- 
gational and Methodist Episcopal churches were the public buildings of 
the village, while on Oak Hill, not far distant, was a Christian church. 

However, two-score years have worked many changes in the history 
of Union Centre, and few indeed of the old-time interests of the place 
are now to be found, while nearly every one of the old business men 
are gone. The village now is a convenient trading center in a good 
agricultural region, and its residents are a thrifty, respectable people. 
A cheese factory was built in 1878, but soon afterward was discontinued. 
In its place the Crystal creamery was established and now is in opera- 
tion. Andrews & Pitkin began mercantile business in 1881, occupying 
the building erected in 1872. by James Howard. L. Brougham & Son 
are also merchants at the Centre. B. Howard is proprietor of the only 
saw mill and rake factory in the village. 

THE VUvLAGE OF UNION. 
About three-quarters of a century ago two hamlets in the western 
part of the town of Union were contending for supremacy, but no ill 
feeling entered into the rivalry. These settlements were then known 
as Nanticoke and Union Corners, and in the course of a few years the 
latter outstripped the former and became the established trading cen- 



636 THE TOWN OF UNION. 

ter for that part of the town. According to authenticated records, the 
men of Union who were most prominent in establishing the perma- 
nency of their village were John K. Edwards, Henr}' D. Mersereau, I. 
P. Robbins and David Rose, although other equally worthy settlers 
were undoubtedly interested in the series of events then taking place. 

After the downfall of Nanticoke as a business center the successful 
rival adopted the name of Union, in allusion to the town in which it 
was at that time the most important village. Its location and surround- 
ings were favorable for the transaction of business and also as a place 
of residence, the lands being well elevated above the river and suffi- 
ciently distant therefrom to escape danger from malarious atmospheres. 
The site chosen was on the main road between Binghamton and Owego, 
at a point where a highway led north from the river to Union Centre 
and Maine village. The early buildings were constructed with reference 
to the four corners, and it was not until 1836 that the village in fact 
was laid out. Thirty- five years later the hamlet took the character of 
a corporation and thereby became entitled to adopt regulations and 
ordinances for municipal government. 

Union was incorporated as a village June 17, 1871, under the provis- 
ions of the general laws of 1870. Under the incorporation a president, 
three trustees, a treasurer and a collector were authorized to be elected 
by the people. On March 15, 1887, the office of police justice was es- 
tablished. In 1897 a reincorporation was effected, and under the pro- 
visions thereof the number of trustees was reduced to two and the 
president was authorized to vote on all questions relating to local gov- 
ernment. In January, 1895, in conformity with the provisions of a 
general act of the legislature passed the preceding year, an enumera- 
tion of the inhabitants showed Union to contain a population of 927 
persons; the present number of inhabitants is fairly estimated at 1,000. 

The first village election was held July 22, 1871, when officers were 
chosen as follows: President, Francis B. Smith; trustees, Edward C. 
Mersereau, Martin C. Rockwell and Theodore P. Knapp; treasurer, 
Samuel F. Smith; collector, William W. Mersereau. Edwin C. Moody 
was the first village clerk. 

The succession of principal village officers is as follows: 

Presidents.— ¥rsinQ.{s B. Smith, 1871-73; George W. Mersereau, 1874; 
Martin C. Rockwell, 1875-77; Aaron Mersereau, 1878-79; Martin C. 
Rockwell, 1880; Samuel F. Smith, 1881-82; William W. Whitney, 
1883; Martin C. Rockwell, 1884; Aaron Mersereau, 1885-80; George 



THE TOWN OF UNION. 637 

W. Mersereau, 1887; William Livingston, 1888; Edward C. Mersereau, 
1889; Solomon W. Adamy, 1890; John H. Swift, 1891-92; Theodore 
P. Knapp, 1893-95; George Le Barron, 1896-98; Clair M. Mersereau, 
1899. 

Treasurers.— SAm\\e\ F. Smith, 1871-72; Aaron Mersereau, 1873-77; 
Theodore P. Knapp. 1878-92; George W. Tilbury, 1893-99. 

Collectors.— \Nm W. Mersereau, 1871-72; John M. Skillman, 1873- 
74; Solomon Lashier, 1875-76; Wm. Conklin, 1877; A. M. Burdick, 
1878-79; Elisha B. Relyea, 1880; Wm. A. Hagadorn, 1881; Andrew 
Armstrong, 1882-84; Harland L. Whitney, 1885-86; Charles S.Wough- 
ter, 1887-90; Marion Truesdell, 1891; Charles S. Woughter, 1892-97; 
Alonzo W. Whittemore, 1898-99. 

Clerks.— 'EA^m C. Moody, 1871-75; Fayette S. Keeler, 1876-82; 
Radcliff Park, 1883-97; Uri H. Mersereau, 1898-99. 

The present village officers are: President, Clair M. Mersereau; 
trustees, Edmund W. Barlow, Warren Mersereau; treasurer, George 
W. Tilbury; collector, Alonzo W. Whittemore; clerk, Uri H. Mersereau; 
police justice, Frank Balch. 

The Union Fire Department was organized in February, 1876, a pure- 
ly volunteer organization consisting of Centennial Fire Engine Co. No. 1 
and Tornado Hook & Ladder company. The first officers of the en- 
gine company were J. D. Hagadorn, foreman, and P. M Badger, asst. 
foreman. The first officers of the " Truck " company were D. J. Palmer, 
foreman and W. C. Smith, asst. foreman. The first department offi- 
cers were J. A. Cauldwell, chief; R. O. vShippey, 1st asst. and A. M. 
Burdick, 2d asst. engineer. 

In the course of time it became necessary to reorganize the depart- 
ment, which action in a measure changed the personnel of the com- 
panies; but each change has resulted in better organization and in- 
creased efficiency in the entire department. During the period of its 
history the companies have frequently been called upon to perform 
duty and in no instance was there shown a lack of earnestness and fire- 
fightino- quality. The village, however, has been remarkably free from 
disastrous or extensive fires, although such misfortunes occasionally 
have been visited upon its people. 

The present department comprises a Hook and Ladder company, a 
new organization as yet without a distinguishing name (successor to 
Columbia H & L. Co. of former years), the officers of which are Jasper 
Castleman, foreman, and Aaron Gaige, asst. ; Centennial Engme and 



C38 THE TOWN OF UNION. 

Hose Co. No. 2, Wm. La Farge, foreman, and vStephen Ulrick, asst. ; 
and Valley Hose Co. No. 3, J. M. Witherill, foreman, and Charles 
Brown, asst. 

The present department officers are Bert J. Day, chief engineer; 
Henry Le Barron, 1st asst. engineer; Lee C. Adams, 2d asst. engineer 
and clerk, and J. M. Witherill, treasurer. 

The Union fire commission was established in 1897, the first board, 
appointees of the village trustees, being L vS. Barton (prest.), Verne R. 
Willis (now succeeded by Michael Donovan) and H. S. Barton. 

Having thus briefly traced the municipal history of the village, we 
may properly return to the period of early events and learn how and by 
whom the foundations of the municipality were laid. It is claimed that 
the first store in Union was opened by Ephraim Robbins in 1829, his 
store standing about on the site of the E. C. Mersereau store of later years. 
M. M. Badger became partner with Robbins in 1836. In 1834 Samuel 
Robbins moved a building from the parsonage lot to this site. The 
store was burned in 1851, and a new building was at once erected. 
William and Charles Keeler, and also John K. Edwards, began busi- 
ness soon after Robbins, the Edwards store standing near the site of 
George W. Tilbury's present business location. In 1837 Badger & 
Castleman erected a store building and began business on the corner 
recently vacated by L. J. Brown. George Seavey, Ambrose Truesdale, 
Wm. Cafferty and Mr. Brown successively occupied the corner store, 
the last mentioned proprietor taking possession in 1879 and continuing 
in trade until 1898. When Mr. Brown was in active business his store 
room included the building erected many years ago by Major David 
Mersereau and Jason Crane, and in which Robert Mersereau once car- 
ried on business. 

H. Mersereau & Son formed a partnership and began business in 
1851, and in 1852 removed to the building so long occupied by E. C. 
Mersereau in later years. The firm soon changed to E. C. & G. W. 
Mersereau, and so continued until 1865, when E. C. Mersereau suc- 
ceeded and carried on business until about the time of his death, in 
1894. E. K. Mersereau then became proprietor, and under him the 
mercantile branch was closed out. 

Between 1850 and 1875 the mercantile interests of the village were 
largely increased, and in later years changes became so frequent that 
now they cannot accurately be traced and noted. D. M. Angell opened 
a drug store in 1850. He was followed by Van Dusen & Benedict, M. E. 



THE TOWN OF UNION. 



039 



Benedict, W.W.Whitney and H. L. Whitney in the order mentioned, the 
latter proprietor now being- in trade. D. J. Palmer, successor to Allen 
Stillson, began in the drug business in 1871. In 1850 also Wm. Olmsted 
and a Mr. Campbell opened well stocked hardware stores, the former con- 
tinuing in business until his death in 1879. S. M. Benjamin opened a 
hardware store in 1873, and still is in trade. In 1878 C. H. Boyd started 
a hardware store where K. Boyd now does business. 

In 1867 I. V. & A. W. Whittemore began a furniture and undertaking 
business, continuing as partners until 1874 when their store was burned. 
The senior partner then re-established the business and continued it 
until 1889, when his son, Duane S. Whittemore, became the partner. 
In June, 1898, the son succeeded the firm. K. W. Spencer, furniture 
dealer, began business in 1873. The first cabinet maker of the village 
is said to have been Le Roy Scoville. 

L. J. Brown began business in Union in 1866, and was a prominent 
figure in the dry goods trade until his retirement in 1898. George W. 
Tilbury, grocer and dealer in boots and shoes, established himself in 
the village in 1875, and still is in trade. He has been an important 
factor in the political history of Union arid is its present treasurer. 
William Livingston also began in 1875 and went out of business about 
1890. Ellis Hulslander opened a general store in 1879, but his name is 
not now known in local trade circles. J. M. Warner opened a grocery 
store in 1874, and is still in business. 

Among the other former and present merchants of the village may 
be recalled the names of F. Hodge, shoemaker and dealer beginning in 
1846; Richard Crocker, the first village blacksmith; Philip Bartle, who 
succeeded Deacon Crocker in 1834, and who continued until 1850, when 
the shop was changed into a foundry and was so operated until 1852, 
when Peter Badger became proprietor. The foundry burned about 
twenty years ago. George Chatfield, J. D. Hagadorn, John Trester and 
Amos Bunn also have been known in the village as old blacksmiths. 

The private banking house of Chandler & Rockwell was established 
in 1866 and continued business several years under that proprietorship. 
M. C. Rockwell & Co. succeeded the older firm. The bank did a suc- 
cessful business until 1886 and was a great convenience to the merchants 
of the village; but in the year mentioned a disastrous failure occurred 
and all depositors suffered by the collapse. 

The present mercantile interests of Union may be enumerated sub- 
stantially as follows: Marion Truesdale, general store; L. H. Warner, 



640 THE TOWN OF UNION. 

groceries and crockery; H. H. Houghtailing-. restaurant; Wm. Olmsted, 
stoves and tinware; J. L. Meeker, bakery; Virgie Balch, millinery; J. 
T. Curran, cigar maker, all on the north side of Main street, west of 
Nanticoke street. D. S. Whittemore, furniture and undertaking; K. 
W.Spencer, furniture; Union News office; George W. Tilbury, gro- 
ceries and boots and shoes; Colby & Whitney, meats; K. Boyd, hard- 
ware; Cottage hotel, all on the south side of Main street, west of Nan- 
ticoke street. N. H. Noyes, grocer; A. Benjamin, hardware, on south 
side of Main street, east of Nanticoke street. Frank Oliver, saloon ; J. 
B. Day, hotel, on north side of Main street, east of Nanticoke street. 
F. D. Brown & Co., drugs; O. L. Hawes, harnesses; ScudderSkillman, 
meats; H. Zimmer, bakery; J. R. Decker, grocery; E. N. Witherill & 
Co., dry goods, on Nanticoke street, east side. H. L. Whitney, drugs, 
jewelry, boots and shoes; Babcock's bakery; Ada B. vSmith, millinery; 
H. R. Chandler, boots and shoes; and S. C. Tripp, jeweler, on west side 
of Nanticoke street. Among the other business men of the village may 
be mentioned H. M. Thomas, dealer in agricultural implements ; George 
F. Sliter, grocer; Erie hotel, Warren Fuller, proprietor; Swan & Van 
Wormer, grocers, and A. K. Abbey, grocer. The lawyers of the vil- 
lage are Radcliff Park, T. A. McClary and A. R. Humphrey. 

As a manufacturing center Union never has attracted much atten- 
tion among the villages of the county, and it was not until within the 
last twenty years that any permanent industries have been established 
within the corporate limits. The old Union mills was an enterprise of 
the locality rather than of the village, and drew its patronage from all 
the surrounding region. In 1832-33 Major David Mersereau built a 
dam across the river, and in 1834 Whitney and Mersereau, in company 
with Col. Hazard Lewis, built a large double saw mill, taking power 
from the dam. Major Mersereau soon purchased the interests of his 
associates and operated the mill until 1839, when he built the gristmill. 
The saw mill at length was carried away by high water in March, 1865, 
but the grist mill was kept running several years and was finally re- 
moved to Vestal. 

About 1830 Benjamin Balch built a saw mill and also a cloth dressing 
and wool carding works on Nanticoke creek, but after a few years sold 
the property to Samuel Smith and "Put" Mersereau, who started a 
grist mill in connection with the other works. Smith eventually be- 
came owner of the plant and in turn sold it to George W. Barton. In 
1894 Mr. Barton removed portions of the machinery to the village, 



THE TOWN OF UNION. 641 

placing the same in a building erected by him north of the railroad. 
He now is proprietor of a good flour and feed mill, cider mill and rake 
factory, employing from six to ten workmen. 

The A. J. Chase planing mill which burned about five or six years 
ago was built in 1873 as a bark mill. 

Morgan Heath's planing, saw, cider and feed mill and rake factory 
was built on the north side of the railroad tracks in 1889. 

The Union Forging Company, whose product in international compe- 
tition at Chicago in 1893 was awarded a gold medal, was incorporated 
May 1, 1899, with $01,900 capital. The company, however, dates its 
history in Union to the year 1883, when Leroy S. White, George D. 
Lincoln and John H. Swift, all former skilled workmen in a large car- 
riage hardware and trimmings factory in Southington, Conn., united 
their earnings and energies as capital and determined to establish them- 
selves in business in some locality in southern New York where coal 
was less expensive than in Connecticut. Accordingly, one of their 
number visited Union, carefully looked over the ground and made a 
purchase preparatory to the beginning of operations. In the course of 
a short time the Union Carriage and Forging company, with the per- 
sons above mentioned as proprietors, began business, and by that action 
the village became possessed of one of the best manufacturing indus- 
tries ever known in local history. From the outset the enterprise was 
a success, and several enlargements of the plant were subsequently 
made. The business was started with half a dozen workmen, three of 
whom were the proprietors themselves, for each was and is a skilled 
mechanic and is constantly at work in the manufacturing department 
and not in the office. The incorporation above mentioned was accom- 
plished for the purpose of still further increasing the capacity of the 
works. The incorporators were Leroy S. White, George D. Lincoln, 
John H. Swift, Clair M. Mersereau and Charles E.White. The officers 
are Leroy S. White, president; John H. Swift, vice-president; George 
D. Lincoln, treasurer; Clair M. Mersereau, secretary, and Charles E. 
White, assistant secretary. At present the company employs about 35 
workmen. 

The Union Water Works Company was incorporated August 13, 1891, 
with $25,000 capital, for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a 
system of water supply for domestic and fire protection in the village. 
The works were constructed in 1891-2 and in the latter year Union was 
given the benefit of a good supply of wholesome water. The stock of 

41 



642 THE TOWN OF UNION. 

the company, however, is held by non-residents, when every dollar of 
it should be owned in the village. 

The Union Neivs was established in 1851 by Alfred E. Quinlan, a 
practical printer, who published the paper about two years and then 
sold to Ransom Bostwick. The next owner was Cephas Benedict, who 
was connected with the paper about fourteen years, and who sold out 
to E. C. & G. W. Mersereau, the old village merchants. These proprie- 
tors were not printers, yet they owned the News about a year, when 
Mr. Benedict again became proprietor. Next in the succession came 
Moses B. Robbins, a good editor, and also a good citizen, who was con- 
nected with the paper about nine years before he sold out to William 
F. Gilchrist. For about a year after the last transfer, the News was 
leased to Lewis Knapp, but in 1880 it returned to Cephas Benedict, part- 
ner with L. D. Cafferty. 

About this time Jesse E. Le Barron and William AlcWade started the 
Argus, but Mr. Le Barron soon became sole owner of the paper and con- 
solidated it with the News, the publishing firm taking the name of C. 
Benedict & Co. A short time afterward Messrs, Benedict and Le Barron 
purchased the Cafferty interest, and thereafter were partners about fif- 
teen years. In 1898 Mr. Le Barron became sole owner and proprietor, 
and now conducts the paper with excellent success. 

The News takes no active part in political discussions, caters neither 
to one nor the other of the parties, but furnishes its readers with all the 
current news of the day, with a well selected department of general 
miscellany. In fact it is one of the best country newspapers in the 
county and deservedly enjoys a good ^if^ulation and advertising pat- 
ronage. 

Hotels. — The first hotel in the village was that built by Lewis Keeler 
at Nanticoke, but which afterward was removed to the site of the Major 
House. The old building was burned May 23, 1851, but from 1828 to the 
date of its destruction its proprietors were Elias Skill man, Erastus Bab- 
cock, Cyrus Cafferty, Elisha Evans, A. W. Day and C. B. Mersereau. 

The Major House was built in 1852-53 by Major David Mersereau, for 
whom it was named and by whom it was kept until 1857. The later 
landlords in succession were Peter Hopkins, James Carnochan, Mr. 
Randall and J. B. Day, the latter having been proprietor since 1880. 
Although nearly half a century old the house still is in excellent condi- 
tion, always has been well managed and under the present landlord is 
one of the best country hotels in Broome county. 



THE TOWN OF UNION. 643 



was 



The old Union House was built sometime previous to 1848, but 
burned in 1851. It was rebuilt and took the name of Cafferty house in 
1863 under landlord Wm. Cafferty. The house has survived many pro- 
prietorships and still is a good hostelry, though now known as the Cot- 
tage house. 

The Hotel Erie, near the N. Y. & E. station, was built in 1873 by E. 
C. Mersereau. It now is an apartment house. 

The original Van Horn house was built by William Cafferty in 1854, 
and then was known as the Railroad house. At one time it was also 
known as the " Ah-wa-ne-ta." In 1884, under landlord Charles Van 
Horn, the present name was adopted. 

A post-office was established in Union about 1825, but the exact date 
is unknown. The postmasters have been as follows: Ephraim Rob- 
bins, Briant Stoddard, Ephraim Robbins, M. M. Badger, Thos. Twining, 
Ira Chandler, Edward C. Mersereau (1861-84), Ward W. Mersereau, S. 
Mack Smith, Ward W. Mersereau, George Lainhart and Dudley S. Mer- 
sereau. 

Round Hill Lodge No. 5jj, F. & A. M., was organized in 1863 with 
Solomon Lashier, Wm. W. Whitney, C. H. Shipman, David Mersereau. 
2d, Franklin Fanning, Edward C. Mersereau, Asa Fanning, Samuel F. 
Smith, Wm. H. Tuttle, Samuel Robbins, Peter M. Badger, Samuel E. 
Weed, Seymour Mersereau, Francis B. Smith and F. N. Andrews as 
charter members. The lodge has been a permanent institution of the 
village throughout the period of its history, and has furnished much 
good material to the higher Masonic bodies of the county seat. 

The office of master of the lodge has been held by Solomon Lashier, 
Franklin Fanning, Theodore P. Knapp, Aaron Mersereau, Samuel F. 
Smith, John S. Mersereau, Dr. L. D.Witherill, William Olmsted, A. C. 
Woughter, H. T. Baker, S. M. Benjamin and Clair M. Mersereau. 

Adelphic Lodge No. ^ij, I. O. O. F., was instituted in Union in 1848, 
surrendered its charter in 1857, and was reorganized in 1884. It is a 
healthful body and enjoys a good membership. 

Physicians. — It is unusual that the medical profession of a village is 
made the subject of special mention, yet in Union the profession has been 
so strongly and numerously represented that some brief allusion to it is 
proper. The first physician was Dr. Ross, who settled a little below 
the village, but whose practice extended throughout the region. Little 
is known of Dr. Ross' life in this locality. He was not a member of 
the County Medical society. 



644 THE TOWN OF UNION. 

Dr. Chester Lusk was one of the best physicians and also one of the 
foremost men of the county in his time. He settled in Union in 1800 
and was the only physician in this part of the town for many years. He 
died from accident in 1825. 

Dr. Jonathan Woodbury came here about 1829 and died about five 
years later. 

Dr. Daniel Nash began his career in Union in 1829, and in a measure 
succeeded to the practice of Dr. Lusk, whose nephew he was and with 
whom he read medicine. 

Dr. George Burr began practice in Union in 1836, but in 1843 he was 
elected county clerk, necessitating his removal to the county seat. He 
afterward attained a high standing in the profession. 

Among the later physicians of the village may be recalled the names 
of Dr. Ezekiel Daniels, who came about 1850; Dr. Whiting S. Gris- 
wold, youngest son of Dr. H. S. Griswold; Dr. Joseph S. Whitney, who 
came here in 1855 and who still lives in the village, though retired from 
active practice; Dr. Linnaeus D. Witherill, a native of the locality, who 
began practice herein 1869, and who still is in the professional harness; 
Dr. Theodore P. Knapp, the only disciple of Hahnemann in the village, 
and who, by the way, is Union's oldest active physician, having prac- 
ticed here more than forty years; Dr. W. W. Whitney, who came to 
Union in 1805, after being mustered out of service, now is retired from 
active practice. 

The present active physicians of the village are Drs. T. P. Knapp, L. 
D. Witherill, E. N. & W. Christopher and W. A. Hardy. 

Lawyers. — Jacob Morris located in Union and began the practice of 
law about 1845, but afterward removed to Binghamton, where he was a 
prominent figure. Charles Hunt settled here about 1850, but later on 
removed to New York city. John Moody practiced in the village four 
or five years previous to 1850. Vincent Whitney, George A. Northrup 
and Solomon Judd also were among the early village lawyers and after- 
ward took up a residence at the county seat. Francis B. Smith was ad- 
mitted and began practice herein 1852, and continued professional work 
to the time of his death. Edwin C. Moody was born in the town and be- 
gan his professional career in the village, but afterward removed to Bing- 
hamton, where he now resides. S. Mack Smith, son of Francis B.Smith, 
was born in Union and began practice here immediately after his ad- 
mission to the bar. Later on he too removed to the county seat, where 
now he is city recorder. Radcliff Park began practice here in 1880. T. 



THE TOWN OF UNION. 645 

A. McClary and A. R. Humphrey are recent acquisitions to the ranks 
of the profession in the village. 

Schools, — Previous to the creation of Union free school District No. 1 
of the town of Union, the village school was maintained as a part of the 
common school system of the town, although in its semi-graded char- 
acter it offered far better opportunities for an education than were ob- 
tainable in the average district school. 

Sixty years ago, on May 4, 1839, the old Broome academy was incor- 
porated, with a capital of $5,000, for the purpose of establishing and 
mairita'ning a tuition academic school in the village. The incorpora- 
tors and prime movers of the enterprise were D. Relyea, E. B. Caster- 
line, J. L. Mersereau, John La Grange, Ephraim Robbins, Wm. H. 
Keeler, David Mersereau, George Burr, D. E. Avery, M. M. Badger, 
George Keeler, George W. Mersereau, H. Mersereau, Philip L. Bartle 
and David R. Chandler. 

These worthy citizens fully organized their company and erected a 
building in the village. The school was opened in due form and, tra- 
dition says, with some ceremony; and thereafter a good academic school 
was maintained for about twelve or fifteen years, and until the town 
system was so far advanced that parents considered the district school 
good enough for the needs of their children without the additional ex- 
pense incurred in sending them to the academy. Thus the gradual 
withdrawal of patronage naturally worked the downfall of the academy 
enterprise, and with its dissolution all pupils of necessity had recourse 
to the district school of the village. The latter system was maintained 
until the organization of the Union district in 1886, as above stated. 

On August 18, 1886, the hoard of education held its first meeting, the 
commissioners being Samuel F. Smith, Rev. V. M. Seagers, William 
Clark, Dr. L. D. Witherill and J. V. N. Smith. The officers of the board 
were Dr. Witherill, president, and P. D. Van Dusen, secretary. In 1887 
the board materially enlarged and improved the school building, a sub- 
stantial frame structure standing in the eastern central portion of the 
village. It was originally erected in 1858 as the school house of Dis- 
trict No. 1. The first principal was Prof I. M. Boothe. 

From the time of the organization of the Union district the Union 
village school has taken rank among the most successful academic in- 
stitutions of the county, and progress and advanced ideas have been 
the aim of the board. At times, however, earnest discussion and some 
feeling has characterized the proceedings of the commissioners, yet it 



fi46 THE TOWN OF UNION. 

cannot be denied that each member has been actuated by any other 
than a desire for the best interests of the youth of the district. 

The principals of the school, as near as can be determined from the 
imperfectly kept records of the board, have been as follows: I. M. 
Boothe, 1886-89; H. F. Morrow, 1889-91; Thomas A. Davis, 1891-92; 
E. E. Smith, 1892-95; James L. Lusk, 1895-99. 

The personnel of the first board of education is given in a preceding 
paragraph. The subsequently elected members, with the year of elec- 
tion, have been as follows: Samuel F. Smith, 1887; Dr. L. B. Witherill, 
V. M. Seagers (M. B. Payne appointed, vice Seagers, resigned), 1888; 
Miss Jane Howard, Edward K. Mersereau, 1889; Milo B. Payne, Dr. O. 
L. Eastman, A. B. Dodge, 1890; Dr. O. L. Eastman, A. B. Dodge, S.M. 
Benjamin, John H. Swift; 1891; Joseph Howard, D. R. Lumly, 1892; 
George D. Lincoln, Frank Balch, 1893; A. B. Dodge, O. L. Hawes,1894; 
D. R. Lumley, Silas Swan, 1895; George D. Lincoln, 1896; O. L. Hawes, 
O. L. Sliter, 1897; D. R. Lumley, Henry Stevens, 1898; Frank Balch, 
1899. 

The secretaries of the board have been P. D. Van Dusen, 1886-91; J. 
D. Smith, 1891-93; D. S. Mersereau, 1893-98; Duane S. Whitteraore, 
1898-99. 

ECCLESIASTICAL. 

The early settlers of the western part of the town of Union held re- 
ligious services almost as early as those living in the vicinity of Che- 
nango village and Chenango Point, for it is said that in 1791 a religious 
society was established and held meetings in the neighborhood of Union 
village. Revs. Mr. Palmer and John Manley held alternate preaching 
services for several years in accordance with the doctrine of the Dutch 
Reformed church of America. But then the settlers were few and 
scattered and it was with much difficulty that public services were 
maintained. In 1803 the town voted $25 for the benefit of the Dutch 
Reformed church, but regardless of the efforts made in its behalf the 
society passed out of existence. 

The First Presbyterian society of Union was incorporated March 10, 
1819, the trustees then being Chester Lusk, Lewis Keeler, Elisha B. 
Bradley, John La Grange, Cornelius Mersereau and John Dunbar. The 
church organization was perfected in 1822, when Rev. Benjamin Niles, 
Horatio Lombard and Marcus Ford, representing the Cayuga Presby- 
tery, constituted the church with 14 members. The first house of 



THE TOWN OF UNION. G47 

worship was built in 1824 and stood near the bridge across the Susque- 
hanna river. The present edifice on Main street was built in 1872. 
The present membership is 179 persons. 

The succession of pastors is as follows: Revs. John Whiton and Sol- 
omon Ward, supplies for two years; John W. Ward, 1824-31; Ira Smith, 
Jonathan M. Roland, H. J. Gaylord, Samuel F. Bacon, John F. Ward, 
Rev. Mr. Gilbert, G.' Dwight Walker, Robert Edgar, Henry Benson, C. 
A. Thatcher, Chas. F. Dewing," 1874-84; E. W. Lake, 1885-87; H. H. 
Lipes, 1887-88; Dr. Welles, 1889-93; W. T. Parsons, 1893-99. 

The elders are Leroy S. White, James L. Lusk, King W. Spencer, Dr, 
E. N. Christopher, Dwight Foster and L. M. Winans. 

The first society of the Methodist Episcopal church in Union was in- 
corporated May 18, 1825, with Elijah Decker, James Whittemore, Rob- 
ert Bartholomew, James Williams and Josiah Cafferty as the first trus- 
tees. This incorporation brought into existence the first Methodist 
society in the town, from which all other societies of the same denomi- 
nation were offshoots. In 1835 another society, known as the Methodist 
society in Union, was incorporated, the articles of association bearing 
date June 20, and the trustees being Josiah Brigham, George Bradley, 
John R. Boswell, James Howard, William Mason, Daniel Boswell. Oliver 
Russell, Stephen Howard and Alpheus B. Waterman. This was the 
inception of the Union Centre church, although a reincorporation was 
effected in 1857. The Second Methodist Episcopal society in Union 
was incorporated March 21, 1842, with David Scoville, James Guyon, 
Charles Moody, Alfred Jones and E. P. Warner as the first board of 
trustees. This was the beginning of the church in what now is the 
town of Maine. 

The first Methodist meeting house in Union village was built in 1848, 
and served the purposes of the society nearly twenty- five years, when 
it was vacated for a more commodious edifice and subsequently was 
converted into a store building. The present edifice was erected in 
1872 and cost $12,000, the pastor at that time being Rev. A. J. Van 
Cleft. The mother church in Union for many years has been one of 
the strong religious bodies of the town, which has steadily increased 
from a little handful of devout worshippers to a total present member- 
ship of 290 persons . The present pastor is Rev. John Elliott Bone, 
successor to Rev. J. C. Johnson. 

t Owing to imperfect records it is impossible to determine the periods of pastorates previous 
to 1874. 



648 THE TOWN OF UNION. 

The stewards of the church are George and Emmett Sliter, C. C. 
Barnes, Jacob Swartwout, D.R, Loomis, Smith Surdam and H. Mitchell. 
The trustees of the society are George W. Tilbury, George Le Barron, 
E. W. Barlow, E. W. Smith and John Van Auken. 

The Methodist Episcopal church of Union Centre was incorporated 
February 12, 1857, and was the outgrowth of the still older society in- 
corporated in 1835, as has been stated. The trustees of the later society 
were Justice Knapp, William Southworth, Daniel Boswell, Josiah Brig- 
ham and Rev. J. R. Boswell, the latter being the prime spirit of the 
organization and its chief supporter. The society has enjoyed a health- 
ful growth and has a present membership of 154 persons. The pastor 
is Rev. A. O. Austin. 

The first Universalist society in Union was incorporated April 27, 
1829, with Joseph Chambers, Samuel Crocker and Jesse Richards as its 
first board of trustees. The organization was maintained in the town 
for several years, but no house of worship was erected. Soon after 
1840 the society merged in the stronger body which had gained a foot- 
hold in the village of Binghamton. 

The first Free Will Baptist church in Union was organized under ar- 
ticles of incorporation, October 19, 1836. The first trustees were John 
Smith, Elijah Higbee and Asa Dodge. This church has no present ex- 
istence in the town. 

The first Baptist society in Union was incorporated July 30, 1840, the 
trustees then being Thompson Lewis, Abner Slosson and Lewis Gates. 
About the same time a house of worship was built in the village, the 
structure ultimately being sold to the society of the Free Methodist 
church. A reincorporation was effected in 1875, the trustees then be- 
ing Ezra Orcutt, Epenetus Piatt and Cornelius Snedeker. About this 
time the society purchased and since has occupied the edifice erected 
by Grace Protestant Episcopal church. Since that time the Baptist 
church has enjoyed a healthful growth, the present members number- 
ing 120 persons. The pastor, Rev. Orison E. Bishop, came to Union 
in May, 1897. 

The Union Center Congregational society was incorporated February 
10, 1841, with Chester Pitkin, Chauncey G. Rockwell, Josiah Bradley, 
Asa Curtis, Ransom Wood and Alva K. Ketchum as its first trustees. 
The church organization was perfected November 2, 1841, with 73 mem- 
bers, under the pastoral care of Rev. Nathaniel Pine. The church ed- 
ifice was built in 1840 and was rebuilt in 1870. The church has a pres- 



THE TOWN OF UNION. 049 

ent total membership of 78 persons, and is under the charge of Rev. 
Abel S. Wood of the Congregational church at Maine village. 

The first Christian church of Union, whose house of worship is lo- 
cated on lot No. 49, was incorporated about August 14, 1874, with Syl- 
vester Le Barron, Wm. B. Brown and James T. Davis as its first trustees. 
The meeting house was built in 1877, the late Elder Welton of Bing- 
hamton being founder of the church and its chief supporter. The 
society still has an existence although its members are few. 

Grace church, Protestant Episcopal, of Union village, was incorpor- 
ated Feb. 22, 1871, with Aaron Mersereau and Theodore Hallett, war- 
dens, andD. R. Chandler, Joshua V. N. Smith, Nathan W. Chandler and 
Moses B. Robbins, vestrymen. In the same year a small but neat 
church edifice was erected and for a time the church prospered and 
grew in strength and influence, but at length reverses came, services 
were discontinued, and the chapel was sold to the Baptist society. 

The Free Methodist church of Union and Vestal was incorporated 
April 22, 1878, with James Guyon, Dr. Joseph Whitney and A. D. 
Ketchum as the first board of trustees. About the same time the soci- 
ety purchased the meeting house formerly occupied by the Baptists. 
During recent years the membership in the Free Methodist church has 
decreased and a resident pastor cannot be supported. vServices are 
occasionally held by the pastor of the church in Binghamton, and at 
other times by Elder Beman, an earnest, hard working member of the 
church living in Union village. 

VILLAGE OF LESTERSHIRE. 

In 1800 the village of Binghamton, then known as Chenango Point, 
contained about the same number of inhabitants as in 1888 were scat- 
tered over the territory comprising the present village of Lestershire. 
In 1840, with the Chenango canal as the principal thoroughfare of traf- 
fic and transportation, with a dozen stage lines passing through it 
in all directions, and with public buildings and all the other advantages 
of a county seat, the village first mentioned contained a total popula- 
tion of 2,000 inhabitants, and that the result of forty years of growth 
and development. In 1899, with none of the natural advantages of sit- 
uation, with only the interests which accompanied a healthful growth, 
and with but five factories, the village of Lestershire contained a popu- 
lation of 3,000 persons, the result of just ten years development. It 
is doubtful if any municipality in the eastern or middle states can boast 



650 THE TOWN OF UNION. 

a more rapid, healthful and permanent growth than Lestershire, in the 
town of Union. 

In 1850 Horace N. Lester, a native of East Haddam, Conn., came to 
Bingham ton and started a retail shoe business. Four years later, George 
W. Lester, brother to Horace, came from New Haven, and on Septem- 
ber 21 of that year the boot and shoe manufacturing firm of Lester Bros. 
& Co. was established and began operations. The first place of busi- 
ness was on the south side of Court street three doors below the corner 
of Washington street, from which location the firm removed to the 
north side of same street, where is now the Y. M. C. A. building. Here 
the firm continued about twenty-five or thirty years, after which, hav- 
ing need of larger factory accommodations, the concern removed to the 
Lester building at the corner of Washington, Henry and State streets, 
now a part of the Hotel Bennett. Horace N. Lester died in 1882, and 
his place in the firm was taken by his son, George Harry Lester, a 
young man of good education and business capacity, but whose methods 
were new and hardly in keeping with the established customs of the 
old firm. He conceived the idea of establishing a large factory in a 
convenient location outside the city limits, and also of organizing a 
stock company with capital sufficient to carry on business on a scale 
unparalleled in the history of southern New York. All this was subse- 
quently accomplished, although the enterprising originator of the 
scheme was not connected with the works when they attained that dis- 
tinguished prominence; for certainly it is an enviable prominence that 
Lestershire can boast in having the largest shoe factory under a single 
roof in the world. 

On November 22, 1888, in accordance with his determination, Mr. 
Lester purchased from Francis B. Allen 11.17 acres of the once known 
Lawrence Allen farm tract, and from Lewis Jenison 11.25 acres in the 
vicinity. On the same day Joseph R. Diment, who acted for Mr. Les- 
ter, purchased 22.46 acres from Mr. Jenison, and on May 11, 1889, 
purchased from William H. Allen another portion of the Lawrence 
Allen farm. These several parcels Mr. Diment transferred to Mr. 
Lester by deeds dated Nov., 1888, and Oct., 1889. In the same man- 
ner and by still other conveyances additional lands were brought under 
the Lester proprietary, and soon afterward the entire tract of the peaceful 
farming areas of this part of the town of Union were surveyed, mapped, 
subdivided and laid out in regular village form, and were called Les- 
tershire. About the same time Mr. Lester began the erection of a 



THE TOWN OF UNION. 651 

spacious residence on Main street (which by the way is still in an in- 
complete condition) and offered his lots for sale. Buyers came freely 
and secured home sites for a reasonable consideration; and a widely 
advertised public sale drew numerous investors and lots were rapidly 
sold under the auctioneer's hammer. 

In the meantime the Lestershire Boot and Shoe company was incor- 
porated (this action being a part of the proprietor's scheme) and erected 
a large factory building near the D. , L. & W. railroad. The prospect of 
a vast manufacturing establishment added value to the lands and drew 
still other buyers to the locality. With wise forethought Mr. Lester 
induced Merritt S. Squires to come to the proposed village and start a 
lumber and box factory, that shipping boxes might easily be supplied 
to the shoe company. William Burdick secured a desirable lot at the 
corner of Main and Broad streets and erected thereon a substantial 
frame store building. His action was closely followed by that of John 
Schulte, Frank Hoag, Thos. L. Dunham, John Day & Son and Peter T. 
Perrault, and within the brief period of one year a flourishing hamlet 
sprang into existence on the western border of the city of Binghamton. 
The proprietor generously donated lots for public buildings and the 
Methodist Episcopal and Baptist societies were the recipients of his 
liberality. An embryo fire department was organized and occupied a 
building on land likewise set aside for it by the village founder. Four 
lots also were given for a public school. A union free district was or- 
ganized, and soon afterward a good school was in full operation with a 
competent corps of teachers. On April 11, 1890, G. Harry Lester 
executed deeds for a large portion of his unsold lots in Lestershire to 
the Lestershire Boot and Shoe company. 

In the summer of 1890, through the influence of Mr. Lester, Wm.G. 
Faatz and brothers came from Susquehanna borough and established a 
brush factory, but in the meantime the large Roberson planing mill 
had been established on the eastern border of the village. This year 
found at least 500 laborers regularly employed in the village factories, 
while as many other artisans and mechanics were occupied in building 
stores and dwellings in various parts of the corporation. 

So rapid indeed was the growth in all directions that the subject of 
a municipal existence began to be discussed, and on September 15, 1892, 
all preliminaries having been settled, that desirable end was attained, 
the village was incorporated, and included an area of 638.4 acres of land. 
The question of incorporation was submitted to the inhabitants of the 



652 THE TOWN OF UNION. 

proposed villag-e territory at an election held at Firemen's hall on the 
day mentioned, at which time a total of 142 votes were cast, 128 being 
"for" and 13 "against" the measure.' The officers of the election 
were E. K. Mersereau, supervisor, and J. M. Warner, clerk, of the town 
of Union. 

The first village election was held Oct. 20, 1892, when the following 
officers were chosen: Peter T. Perrault, president; James L. Derby, 
Elmer W. Van Slyck and Charles T. Dickson, trustees;" Edward L. 
Baldwin, treasurer; Frank A. Day, collector (Mr. Day soon afterward 
resigned and J. E. Elliott was appointed to fill the vacancy). 

On October 30 the trustees held their first meeting and appointed 
John S. Patterson, village clerk. At a meeting held Nov. 1, W. D. Rob- 
erts was appointed street commissioner; Israel T. Fletcher, L. E. Rob- 
erts and Frank Widerman, police constables. The office of the police 
justice was established in March, 1893. The annual election is held on 
the third Tuesday in March. 

VILLAGE CIVIL LIST. 

Presidents. — Peter T. Perrault, 1892; Lewis Jenison, 1893; Thomas 
L. Dunham, 1894-95; Dr. William H.Wilson, 1890; Merritt S. Squires, 
1897-98; William H. Hill, 1890. 

Trustees. — James L. Derby, Elmer W. Van Slyck, Charles T. Dickson, 
1892; John H. Clappison, 1893, resigned May 30, 1893, and Franklin 
Morse appointed; Peter F. Weaver, John Schulte, Edward Tileson, 
1894; John Schulte, Charles R. Heath, 1895; E. L. Baldwin, William 
McKeeby, 1890; William McKeeby, Herman D.Walters, 1897; Will- 
iam M. Stalker, Frank Whittemore, William H. Baker, Nelson B. Rus- 
sell, 1898; John Schulte, George M. Horton, William M. Stalker, V. 
M. Seagers, 1899. 

Treasurers. — Edward L. Baldwin, 1892; John B. Fuller, 1803; George 
R. Story, 1894-96; M. P. Farrell, 1897; Clinton D. Becker, 1898; James 
L. Derby, 1899. 

Collectors. — Frank A. Day, 1802, resigned and J. E. Elliott appointed ; 
John W. Fisher, 1803-94; Edgar H. Codding, 1805-97; Robert P.Smith, 
1808; John A. Treat, 1800. 

Police Justices.— IsvaqX L. Fletcher, 1893-95; A. B, Bradley, 1806; 
Oliver N. Swift, 1897-99. 

1 One defective ballot was cast. 
2 On Feb. 8, 1898, four trustees were authorized to be elected. 



THE TOWN OF UNION. 653 

Clerks.— ]o\\n S. Patterson, 1892; Mark G. White, 1893; Edgar H 
Codding, 1894-95; Frank A. Day, 1896, declined and L. P. Blackman 
appointed; L. P. Blackman, 1897; Edgar H. Codding, 1898- Frank A 
Day, 1899. 

Street Commissioner s. — SH\\X\^.m D, Roberts, 1892; William H. Hay 
1893; Wm. D. Roberts, 1894-95; Edward Evans, 189G; Loren d' 
Duren, 1897; Wm. D. Roberts, 1898-99. 

Chiefs of Police.— YT&nk Widerman, 1894; Charles F. Roberts 
1895-99. 

Postmasters.— {Office established Dec. 24, 1889). William C. Bur- 
dick, appt'd Dec. 24, 1889; Cyrenus N. Day. appt'd Nov. 1, 1893; 
Thomas L. Dunham, appt'd June 27, 1897. 

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

In its history the Lestershire Fire department antedates the incorpo- 
ration of the village itself, for no sooner had the Lestershire Boot and 
Shoe company begun v^rork in the large factory building than the man- 
agers began devising means for protection against loss by fire. 

T/ief. R. Diment Chemical Fire Engine Company was organized with 
22 members in the fall of 1889 with A. J. Champagne, foreman. C. 
Fred Johnson, who perhaps has been the most active person in fire de- 
partment circles in the village throughout the period of its history, was 
chairman of the board of trustees of the company five years. The 
company first housed its apparatus in a brick building on Main street, 
but Mr. Lester afterward donated a lot on which an engine house was 
proposed to be built, but this lot was exchanged for another on Corliss 
avenue, where the first Firemen's hall was erected by the company and 
its friends at a cost of $23,000. 

The company retained its original name until 1897, when the Lester- 
shire Manufacturing Co. purchased a No. 3 La France steamer and 
placed it in charge of the Chemical Engine Co. On July 3 of that year 
the name was changed to Henry B. Endicott Steam Fire Engine com- 
pany No. 1, in compliment to Henry B. Endicott, of Boston, president 
of the Lestershire Manufacturing company, and who has been a gener- 
ous benefactor of the village and its people in many ways. The com- 
pany now comprises 52 men, under foreman Andrew Pease. It is a 
uniformed body and enjoys the reputation of being one of the best 
drilled fire organizations in the state. 

Independent Hose Company No. /, an offshoot from the Chemical En- 




Lestershire Fire Station, Municipal Building and Club House. 



THE TOWN OF UNION. ' 055 



gine company, was organized in the spring of 1892, and was equipped 
with a jumper of sufficient capacity to carry 400 feet of hose, which in 
fact was all the department then owned and that the gift of Mr. Lester. 
The company now comprises 58 men, under foreman Arthur Smith. 
It is a uniformed body, well drilled and has the second fastest running 
team of volunteer firemen in the state. The present apparatus is a sub 
stantial hose wagon. 

G. Harry Lester Hook and Ladder Company No. i was organized in 
December, 1894, the apparatus consisting of a good Gleason & Bailey 
"truck," with extension ladders and other modern equipments. The 
company now comprises 44 men under foreman James L, Derby. 

C. Fred Johnson Hose Co. No. 2 was organized in June, 1897, with 48 
men under foreman Charles Bliven, and was equipped with a new mod- 
ern hose wagon. Although the youngest fire company in the village, 
it is nevertheless one of the most efficient fire organizations in the de- 
partment, and is well uniformed and disciplined. 

The Lestershire Fire department was incorporated January 28, 1892, 
when only two companies comprised the entire body, one of which was 
not named. The department occupied the building on Corliss avenue 
until 1899, when the present combined Central Fire station. Municipal 
building and Firemen's Club house was erected at the corner of Corliss 
avenue and Willow street. The building in many respects is an excep- 
tional structure, and is unquestionably one of the most complete, elab- 
orate and serviceable fire stations in the state. Indeed nothing is lack- 
ing that can add to the comfort and efficiency of the department, as 
every detail has been carefully provided for. On the ground floor are 
the trustees' room, department quarters, stables and other necessaries 
for fire duty. The upper floors are fitted up with apartments for fire- 
men's parlors, billard and sleeping rooms, etc. But the greatest attrac- 
tion in the entire building is the club rooms and gymnasium with all 
its varied and appropriate appointments for the comfort and entertam- 
ment of whomsoever will avail himself of the privilege, for this depart- 
ment of the building is free to the people of Lestershire, and nothing 
in the way of objectionable indulgence is tolerated. Billiard rooms, 
bowling alleys and baths are free to the young men of the village, as 
well as hospitable entertainment in other apartments. A large assem- 
bly and dining hall is another feature of the building. 

The entire structure was erected at a cost of $27,000, of which sum the 
Lestershire Manufacturing company generously donated $10,000. 1 he 



65G THE TOWN OF UNION. 

work of construction was performed by Sullivan & Badgley, of Bing- 
hamton, and not one dollar was wasted or misapplied. 

Among the other features of the department system may be men- 
tioned a perfect Gamewell fire alarm, and also three auxiliary pumping 
stations, capable of working separately or in combination with the vil- 
lage water works, all of which give more complete fire protection than 
is found in many cities of the state. The auxiliary pumps are capable 
of discharging 17,000 gallons of water per minute. 

The chiefs of the fire department, with the periods of their service, 
have been as follows: A. J. Champagne, one year; Loren D. Duren, 
two years; George Hobler, one year; C. Fred Johnson, four years, and 
now in office. 

THE WATER WORKS. 

The Lcstershire Water Works Company was incorporated April 26, 
1892, with $50,000 capital, to supply the village with water for domes- 
tic and fire protection purposes. The incorporators and prime movers 
of the enterprise were G. Harry Lester, Cyrus Strong, jr., William D. 
Brewster, Willis H. Gaylord, Fred Eitapenc, Horace F. Barrett and 
Cornelius H. Ackerman, The works were constructed in 1892 by Gay- 
lord & Eitapenc, and during the same year water was furnished in the 
village to a limited extent. The system was operated by the company 
with a fair measure of success until the fall of 1895, when at a special 
election held September 25, by a vote of 71 to 30, the village decided 
to purchase the plant at the agreed price of $26,000. 

In the meantime a board of village water commissioners was estab- 
lished as a distinct branch of local government. The first commission- 
ers were Edward M. Kain, chosen for one year; Dr. S. P. Allen for two 
years; and William G. Faatz, for three years. The first meeting of the 
board was held September 10, 1895. 

The water works plant established by the corporate company per- 
haps was sufficient for the purposes of its owners, but was hardly ade- 
quate for the requirements of the village and the best interests of the 
people, therefore the commissioners at once set about improving 
and extending the system, thus greatly adding to its efficiency and 
value. At the present time there are about ten miles of street main 
pipe, and 36 fire hydrants are scattered throughout the village. 

In 1899 a new pumping station was built north of the Erie railroad 
tracks, the building costing about $2,500. The station is equipped with 



THE TOWN OF UNION. 657 

three good Deming pumps, two of 40 and one of 10-horse power, the 
latter being entirely sufficient for the ordinary purposes of the village. 
The pumps are operated by modern Springfield gasoline engines. The 
entire plant, including building, pumps and engines, cost less than 
$10,000, yet by its adoption the value of the water works system has 
been more than doubled, and now is estimated to be worth at least 
$50,000. The works are operated at an annual expense of about $4,000, 
while the revenues of the system amount to about $7,000 annually. In 
all there are about 600 taps. 

The personnel of the board of water commissioners established in 
1895 has not been changed. Mr. Kain was reappointed by the trus- 
tees in March, 1897, Dr. Allen in 1898, and William G. Faatz in 1899. 
The officers of the board are Edward M. Kain, president, and Frank 
A. Day, clerk. Superintendent of works, George H. Peck. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

Previous to the -creation of Union free school district No. 20, 
which includes the village of Lestershire, the surrounding territory 
comprised portions of district No. 2 of the towns of Union and Bing- 
hamton and district No. 11 of the town of Union. No. 2 was a union 
district, and was established in 1866, at which time E. W. Evans, Mar- 
tin J. Swift and A. N. Brown were commissioners and members of the 
board of education. The school house was taken into the city by the 
extension of the limits in 1890, and is now known as school No. 8, or 
the Helen street school. 

In January, 1891, district No. 11 of Union was consolidated with dis- 
trict No. 2, and thereby was established Union district No. 20 of the 
town of Union. The first board of education comprised Charles T. 
Dickson, Cyrenus N. Day and John Schulte. On the organization of 
the board Mr. Dickson was chosen president, and Coe Coleman, clerk, 
the latter having served in that office to the present time, and also at 
times having filled the offices of collector and treasurer. Of Mr. Cole- 
man it must be said that he has been a faithful official, and that the 
records of the board kept by him show the proceedings in a straight, 
business-like manner. 

After organization the first business of the board was to procure a 
suitable place in which to hold the sessions of school until the district 
should vote an appropriation for the erection of a school building. For 
this purpose the frame building (afterwards occupied as a blacksmith 

42 



658 THE TOWN OF UNION. 

shop) was rented and arranged for temporary use. At that time, or in 
1890, the school census showed 77 children in the district of school age, 
and one teacher was sufficient to properly conduct the school. In the 
same year the total amount raised for maintenance was $600, of which 
amount $100 was used to pay rent. In itself this statement is not spe- 
cially interesting, but when we consider that in 1899 the same district 
employed ten teachers and that the gross sum of $6,928 was raised for 
the current expense of the school, then the comparison becomes inter- 
esting and serves to illustrate the wonderful growth of Lestershire and 
the district in the brief space of eight years. In 1898 the district con- 
tained 453 children between the ages of 5 and 18 years, a gain of 376 in 
just eight years. 

For the purpose of providing a commodious school building G. Harry 
Lester donated to the district two lots of land fronting on Harrison 
street and extending through to Hudson street, including in all four 
village lots. On May 4, 1891, the electors of the district voted to issue 
bonds to the amount of $7,000, the proceeds of which were to be used 
in the erection of a school building. On May 27 the contract for con- 
struction was awarded to John Schulte, for the sum of $5,610. The 
building was erected during the same year and proved acceptable in all 
respects. When completed it afforded seating capacity for more pupils 
than the district contained, for the building was erected in anticipation 
of future growth in the village. The reckoning, however, was wrong, 
for the village soon outgrew the capacity of the structure, and in May, 
1895, the district voted an additional $4,000 to enlarge the building. 
This work also was done by John Schulte, and cost $3,885. 

With this enlargement Lestershire and district No. 20 were given 
ample room for all their children, and it was then thought that the 
probable increase during the succeeding ten years was fully provided 
for; but in April, 1898, the proposition was presented to the tax payers 
to raise $5,500 for another school building in the district, and while the 
measure was defeated at the polls on technical grounds, the sum of 
$1,850 was voted for the purchase of four lots south of the D., L. & W. 
railroad, on which a school building is to be erected in the near future. 
At the same time the district also voted $450 for the purchase of a lot 
adjoining the present school house. 

Briefly, the foregoing is a history of Union free school district No. 20 
of the town of Union, and at the same time it is a history of the Les- 
tershire public school, as the village comprises the greater portion of 



THE TOWN OF UNION. 659 

the district. The school always has been noted for its excellence, and 
the taxpayers have ever been commended for their liberality in supply- 
ing a commodious building and a superior corps of instructors. In 
truth, however, it must be said that much of the credit for the splendid 
results achieved is due to the unselfish interest in the welfare of the 
school exhibited by the members of the board of education, each of 
them having given to this branch of local government the same careful 
attention that the prudent man gives to his personal affairs. The re- 
sult is that Lestershire has as good an academic school as Broome 
county can boast. 

The principals of the school have been Prof. S. F. Harding and Prof. 
E. T. Graves, the former originally being employed as "teacher," but 
soon afterward was advanced to the position of principal. Prof. Graves 
succeeded to the principalship in May, 1894, and has been continued in 
that capacity to the present time. He has been an untiring worker for 
the welfare of the youth committed to his care, and has been materially 
aided by competent assistants, the latter gradually increasing in num- 
ber with the constant growth of the village until a total of nine is em- 
ployed. 

The members of the board of education, with the date of election to 
office, have been as follows: Charles T. Dickson, Cyrenus N. Day, 
John Schulte, January, 1891; Thomas L. Dunham, appointed vice 
Schulte, resigned May 27, 1891; Loren D. Duren, Thomas L. Dunham, 
August, 1891; Thomas L. Dunham, August, 1892; Merritt S. Squires, 
August, 18,93; A. H. Pellett, August, 1894; Dr. S. P. Allen, Thomas 
L. Dunham, August, 1895; Merritt S. Squires, August, 1896; W. H. 
Wilson, August, 1897; Geo.W. Holyoke, August, 1898; James L. Der- 
by, August, 1899. 

The presidents of the board have been Charles T. Dickson, January 
-August, 1891; Cyrenus N. Day, August, 1891-93; Loren D. Duren, 
August, 1893-94; Thomas L. Dunham, August, 1894-95; Merritt S. 
Squires, August, 1895-96; Dr. S. P. Allen, August, 1896-97; Thomas 
L. Dunham, August, 1897-98; Merritt S. Squires, August, 1898-99; 
W. H. Wilson, August, 1899-. Clerk of the board, Coe Coleman, Janu- 
ary, 1891-1900. 

As at present situated and officered in all municipal departments, 
Lestershire is one of the best governed villages in southern New York. 
True, its growth has been rapid, in which respect it partakes somewhat 
of the character of the cities of the west, but unlike most of them, Les- 



660 THE TOWN OF UNION. 

tershire is built upon a secure and permanent foundation, which augurs 
well for its future. Ten years ago the locality was composed almost 
wholly of farming lands with a scattered population of less than 100 in- 
habitants within the corporate limits of the village; to-day there is a 
population approximating closely to 3,000 persons. According to the 
enumeration of inhabitants made in January, 1898, the total population 
was 2,501, of which number 1,631 persons were more and 870 were less 
than 21 years of age. 

Again, Lestershire is both a manufacturing and mercantile center, 
the growth in one direction having been about equal to that in the other. 
The manufacturing industries comprise the extensive works of the Les- 
tershire Manufacturing company, the Lestershire Lumber and Box 
company, the Faatz Brush and Felting company, the Roberson planing 
mill and sash, door and blind factory, the W. A. Heath Machine com- 
pany, Ferdinand La Motte's paper box factory, and the Binghamton 
Washing Machine company, which are mentioned at length on later 
pages. 

All mercantile and business interests are well represented, and fortu- 
nately the retail trade generally is inclined to stay in the village instead 
of being attracted to the city by reason of the greater variety and larger 
stocks in the latter place, which is only two and one-half miles distant 
and is easily accessible by two lines of steam railroad and two lines of 
electric street railway. The earliest business men of the village erected 
their stores of frame material, as if doubtful of the success of Mr. Les- 
ter's scheme, but in later years the buildings have been constructed 
chiefly of brick, three stories high, large, well appointed, attractive in 
architecture and modern in style. 

The Post-office. — Lestershire was made a post-office station December 
24, 1889, with William Burdick as postmaster. The next incumbent of 
the office was Cyrenus N. Day, appointed November 1, 1893. The 
present postmaster, Thomas L. Dunham, was appointed June 27, 1897. 

It would be difficult and perhaps uninteresting to recall by name 
every merchant who has done business in Lestershire since the village 
was founded. The earliest business men have been mentioned, and 
each of them is still connected with the history of the place. No branch 
of business appears to be over represented, but still there is sufficient 
competition to preclude the possibility of monopoly. 

The present mercantile interests of Lestershire are represented sub- 
stantially as follows: 



THE TOWN OF UNION. 



661 



Agricultural implements and builders' supplies, Clinton D. Decker. 

Architects, Charles R. Lusk, Elmer W. Van Slycke. 

Baker, J. G. Bridenbecker. 

Boots and shoes, Theron R. Hollister. 

Builders' materials, Edwin L. Baldwin, C. M. Gilmore. 

Cigar manufacturer, James C. Parr. 

Coal and wood dealers, E. L. Baldwin, Faatz Brush and Felting Co., 
J. M. Kennedy. 

Confectioners, E. H. Codding, John S. Riedel, Chas. E. Utter. 

Contractors and builders, E. B. Cafferty, George M. Horton, Mitchell 
& Stever, M. S. Hotchkiss, John Schulte, Elmer W. Van Slycke. 

Creamery, Lestershire Creamery company, Harry McFetrick, propri- 
etor. 

Dentist, Miles M. Smith . 

Druggists, James L. Derby, C. J. Quick. 

Dry goods, Theron R. Hollister, K. Frank Jones. 

Feed stores, E. L. Baldwin, Wm. C. Burdick. 

Furniture dealers and undertakers, Mitchell & Perry, H. S. Saley, 
K. W. Spencer. 

General stores, S. L. Bump, Frank Hoag, James A. Treat. 

Groceries, Robert I. Bertine, S. L. Bump, E. D. Cafferty, Coe Cole- 
man, R R. Corlyon, J. W. Fisher, F. S. Furlow, Frank Hoag, Geo. L. 
Hunt, K. Frank Jones, Jesse S. Wildey. 

Hardware and stove dealers, C. D. Becker, John Day & Son, A. A. 
Swinton. 

Hotels, Hotel Erie, Wm. Dalley, propietor; Hotel Imperial, Griffin 
Bros., proprietors; Lackawanna hotel, Jacob Stahl, proprietor; Park 
hotel, Augustus Stoddard, proprietor; Perrault house, Paul Perrault, 
proprietor. 

Insurance agents, Frank A. Day, Merritt S. Squires. 

Jewelers, Walter A. Hill, Max Spies. 

Lawyer, Herman D. Walters. 

Lunch Rooms, Charles Pine. 

Machine shop, W. A. Heath Machine company. 

Meat markets, Thos. L. Dunham, L. B. Goodman, Webster & Barton. 

Merchant tailor, J. Schaefer, 

Milliners, Mary E. Joslyn, Langdon & Peck, James A. Treat. 

Music teachers, Emma M. Corlyon, Catherine E. Hungerford. 

Newspapers, Lestershire Record, Wm. H. Hill, publisher. 



662 THE TOWN OF UNION. 

Painter and paper hanger, G . B. Watson. 

Photographer, F. D. Green. 

Physicians, Solomon P. Allen, S. Taylor Barton, Chas. P. Roberts, 
Wm. H. Wilson. 

Plumber, C. D. Becker. 

Poulterer, Lester Rickard. 

Real estate dealers and agents, E. B. Cafferty, E. H. Codding, An- 
drew Everts, C. M. Gilmore, S. T. Harding, Utter & Saley, Herman D. 
Walters. 

Restauranter, B. H. Griffin. 

Saloons, B. H. Griffin, John M. Storton, B. M. Thompson, Andrew 
Wood. 

Stoves and tinware, Alexander A. Swinton. 

Wall paper and stationery, E. B. Cafferty. 

The public institutions of the village, in addition to those previously 
mentioned, are the Methodist Episcopal and Baptist churches. The 
principal places of amusement and entertainment are the club rooms in 
the Central fire station and the Delphi opera house. 

The Lestershire Record. — In the summer of 1896 William M. Cheney, 
a practical newspaper man of Dushore, Pa., visited Lestershire and in 
the summer of that year, at the suggestion of a number of prominent 
citizens, established the Lestershire Record, the first number bearing 
date August 24 of that year. Mr. Cheney conducted the paper until 
the summer of 1897 and then sold out to Z. A . Stegmuller, a former 
newspaper man connected with the Binghamton Press. On December 
9, 1899, the Record passed into the hands of William H. Hill, its pres- 
ent owner, under whose management it has attained a greater popular- 
ity than ever before during the period of its history. The Record is 
now known as the brightest weekly paper of the county outside the 
city of Binghamton. 

The first newspaper published in Lestershire was " The News," which 
was established soon after the Lestershire Boot and Shoe company be- 
gan operations, the paper receiving material assistance from the man- 
agers of the company. It was followed by the Independent, which 
subsequently removed to the city, as may be seen by reference to the 
city chapter relating to the press. 

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS. 

The Lestershire Manufacturing Company. — As is stated on a preced- 
ing page of this chapter, in the fall of 1888 G. Harry Lester made ex- 



THE TOWN OP UNION. 



663 



tensive purchases of real estate in the town of Union, caused the same 
to be laid out into lots, and then offered them for sale. In 1889 the 
enterprising- young proprietor, as the active member of the firm of Les- 
ter & Co., erected a large shoe factory building on the north side of the 
D., L. & W. railroad tracts, the structure being 50 x 400 feet in size, four 
stories high, and capable of furnishing employment to about 250 men. 
The building being completed, the machinery for the industry was put 
in operation with a fair force of employees about January 1, 1890. Mr. 
Lester was extensively interested in the land enterprise and evidently 
lacked the capital necessary to conduct the entire business on the gigan- 
tic plan outlined in the beginning; hence he had recourse to certain 
New York capitalists, and the result was the incorporation of the Les- 
tershire Boot and Shoe compay, with a capital of $600,000. The incor- 
poration was effected in March, 1890, the trustees appointed by the stock- 
holders to manage the company for the first year being G. Harry Lester, 
Charles S. Fairchild, George W. Lester, Daniel Lamont and William D. 
Brewster. This company succeeded to the ownership of the factory 
building, and also became possessed of much of the unsold land in the 
Lestershire tract which previously had been owned by Mr. Lester. 

The declared object of the company, as expressed in the articles of 
association, was the manufacture of boots and shoes, the principal offices 
to be maintained in the city of Binghamton; but in October, 1891, an 
amendment to the articles changed the place of office business from the 
city to the town of Union, or, in other words, to Lestershire. The 
business was for a time under the personal supervision of Mr. Lester, 
while the manufacturing department was in charge of Joseph R. Diment, 
an old and valued employee of Lester 8c Co., and also of the still older 
firm of Lester Bros. & Co. In 1893 Mr. Diment resigned his position 
and was succeeded by George F, Johnson, the present superintendent, 
who began as foreman in one of the departments of the Lester Bros. & 
Co. factory in 1882, and continued with the successive firms and corpo- 
rations until his advancement to the superintendency of the entire plant 
in 1892. 

The Lestershire Manufacturing company was incorporated in Janu- 
ary, 1892, under the laws of the state of Maine, and in the same year 
succeeded to the manufacturing business formerly conducted by the 
Lestershire Boot and Shoe company. Through some cause, evidently 
owing to injudicious methods, G. Harry Lester became involved in 
business complications, and therefore retired from all connection with 



664 THE TOWN OF UNION. 

the company or the management of the unsold real estate in the Les- 
tershire tract, and his place was taken by other competent managers 
and operations progressed without serious interruption. 

Work was begun in the factory, as has been stated, with a force of 
about 250 men. The order of things then established was not material- 
ly changed for a year or two; and while the results of the enterprise 
were fairly satisfactory there was little real encouragement to the stock- 
holders until the Lestershire Manufacturing company succeeded to the 
control, and until George F. Johnson was advanced to the position of 
superintendent, and his brother, C. Fred Johnson, to the assistant super- 
intendency. Since that time, however, three distinct and material en- 
largements to the factory building have been made and the floor space 
of the entire structure now has an area equal to eight square acres of 
land; and instead of furnishing irregular employment to about 250 
workmen the company now has a total of 1,800 employees, manufactur- 
ing an aggregate of 18,000 pairs of shoes per day, and operating the 
factory 300 days in each year. 

It is a fact worthy of special mention that the works now operated by 
the company constitute the largest factory of its kind in the world, 
while the product, both in quantity and value is nowhere surpassed. 
More than that, the company pays larger proportionate wages than any 
other manufacturing concern in this region, while privileges and kind- 
nesses are freely extended to- the employees by the superintendent and 
his assistant that generally are unheard of in large establishments. In- 
deed, this company never allows any of its faithful employees to suffer 
through want or distress, neither does it allow the property of any of 
its men to be sold under process of law. Between employer and em- 
ployees there exists a bond of warm friendship, and the interests of 
master and servant are identical. Herein lies the secret of the success 
which has rewarded the efforts of the managing officers of the Lester- 
shire Manufacturing company. 

As now constituted the officers of the company are Henry B. Endi- 
cott, of Boston, president; Albert A. Wright, of Boston, secretary and 
treasurer; A. A. Wright and George F. Johnson, trustees; George 
F. Johnson, superintendent; C. Fred Johnson, assistant superintendent. 

The Faatz Brush and Felting Company. — In August, 1890, William 
G., Frank and Gilbert H. Faatz came from Susquehanna^ Pa., and be- 
gan the manufacture of horse brushes in a two-story frame building, 
40 X 100 feet in size, giving employment to about a dozen workmen. 




MERRITT S. SQUIRES. 



THE TOWN OF UNION. 



665 



The venture proved a success and the product found a ready sale in the 
western states. In 1891 the demands of the business necessitated an 
enlargement of the building, which was made, and the force of work- 
men was more than doubled. In 1894 the firm erected a four story 
building, 60 x 100 feet in size and began the manufacture of woolen 
felt goods, employing in that department about 15 workmen. In 1898- 
99 the works were again enlarged, some of the buildings were rebuilt, 




Faatz Brush and Felting Works. 

and by the improvements then made about 60,000 square feet of work- 
ing space were added to the plant. The entire works now employ 
about 100 men, and the Faatz Brush and Felting company is known as 
one of the substantial industries of flourishing Lestershire. 

The Lestershire Lumber and Box Company was incorporated Novem- 
ber 1, 1897, with $60,000 capital, by Austin W. Clinton, A. D. Clinton, 
Merritt S. Squires and L. A. Squires, for the purpose of manufacturmg 
and dealing in lumber and boxes, and also carrying on a general busi- 
ness in erecting dwelling houses and other buildings. This is one of 
the most successful concerns of Lestershire and many of the best resi- 
dences and business buildings have been constructed by the company. 



666 THE TOWN OF UNION. 

The business, however, was established in 1889, by Merritt S. Squires, 
who was induced to come to the locality by G. Harry Lester and erect 
a factory for the manufacture of shipping boxes for the shoe company. 

The factory was completed and began operations in 1890, and was 
under Mr. Squires' proprietorship until the incorporation of the com- 
pany in 1897. In connection with this plant from 75 to 100 men are 
regularly employed. 

Ferdinand La Mottes Paper Box Factory on Avenue C was estab- 
lished by John Schulte in 1894 and in the same year passed into the 
possession of its present proprietor, although Mr. Schulte still owns the 
building. The works employ about seventy hands. 

The Binghamton Washing Machine Company^ manufacturers of the 
celebrated " 1900 " washer, established a factory in Lestershire in 1898. 
The works employ about 25 men. 

The Wells & Brighain Brick Yard was opened and began opera- 
tions in 1854, under the proprietorship of its present owners, J. Stuart 
Wells and Elijah W. Brigham. 

The Roberson Planing Mill, which is one of the leading industries of 
its kind in Broome county, and which is mentioned at length in the 
chapter entitled "Industrial Binghamton," was removed from the city 
to its present location in 1892. In this factory about 200 workmen are 
employed. 

CHURCHES. 

The First Methodist Episcopal church of Lestershire was incorpora- 
ted January 31, 1889, the first board of trustees named in the articles 
being Horatio R. Clarke, E. B. Green, C. Fred Johnson, William M. 
Fletcher, A. D. Rockwell, Law S. Brooks and George F. Johnson. 
The first meetings were held in the Lestershire Boot and Shoe com- 
pany's factory building, but early in the history of the society G. Harry 
Lester donated a tract of land upon which a temporary house of wor- 
ship was erected. The formal church organization was perfected May 
16, 1890, with ten constituent members under the pastoral care of Rev. 
L. B. Weeks. From that time the church has continued to grow and 
increase both in membership and influence. A brick church edifice was 
built in 1891, and dedicated June 5, 1892. 

The pastors of the church have been Revs. L.B. Weeks, 1890; H.H. 
Wilbur, 1891-93; William J. Hill, 1894-96; H. M. Crydenwise, 1897- 
99. The present members number 450 persons. The class leaders are 





ELIJAH W. BRIGHAM. 



THE TOWN OF UNION. 067 

E. M. Andrews and George W. Holyoke. Stewards, J. Bixby, E. S. 
Tupper, W. Mason, H. D. Walters, A. W. Reynolds, J. S. Gregg, W.H.' 
Rogers, H. G. Thayer, A. W.Vandermark, M. Truesdell, F. Glea'son, S. 
D. Wilbur and E. L. Wilbur. 

The First Baptist church and society of Lestershire was incorporated 
July 30, 1891, with Loren D. Duren, Thomas L. Dunham and Harrison 
Zimmer for trustees. In the same year the church was formally organ- 
ized and a house of worship was erected on land donated to the society 
by G. Harry Lester. The building cost about $3,000. 

The first pastor was Rev. William R. Stone, who died about two 
months after his pastoral service began. Rev. George Hine next suc- 
ceeded to the pulpit and remained with the church about one and one- 
half years. The present pastor, Rev. J. M. Crandall, came to Lester- 
shire September 1, 1893, and under his ministrations the church has 
continually increased in strength and usefulness. The present mem- 
bership is 250 persons. 

The officers of the church are Rev. J. M. Crandall, pastor; Cyrenus 
N. Day and Sylvester Clark, deacons. The trustees of the society are 
Thomas L. Dunham, Cyrenus N. Day, S. T. Harding, D. T. Ballou, 
William G. Faatz and Rev. V. M. Seagers. 

SOCIETIES. 

Golden Scepter Lodge No. 693, L O. O. F., of Lestershire, was insti- 
tuted in April, 1895, five Odd Fellows uniting in the application for a 
charter. The lodge began work with forty members, and during the 
succeeding four years has increased to a present membership of 125 
persons. 

The other important secret and fraternal societies of the village are 
Willawanna tribe No. 183, Improved Order of Red Men, with about 
150 members, a tent of Maccabees (a lodge of Lady Maccabees) and a 
lodge of the A. O. U. W. 



668 THE TOWN OF CHENANGO. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 
THE TOWN OF CHENANGO. 

This town was created by act of the legislature, passed February 16, 
1791, and was one of the five original towns comprising Tioga county. 
In area it included all that part of the present county of Broome which 
lies east of the Chenango river, and extended north from the Pennsyl- 
vania line to the south boundary of the counties of Cortland and Che- 
nango. It included the territory of the present towns of Windsor, 
Colesville, Sanford, Conklin, Fenton, Binghamton and Dickinson, 
which were set off from the mother town in the order mentioned. Its 
area equaled the combined area of all the towns mentioned, but within 
its present limits Chenango contains 21,099 acres of land, not one acre 
of which was a part of its original territory. On January 26, 1808, a 
part of Union was annexed, and on November 27, 1856, a part of Maine 
was in the same manner added to Chenango, thus creating a portion of 
its territory on the west side of the Chenango river; and this portion 
comprises the present town. The pioneers here were settlers in the 
town of Union, but those who came later than 1808, except the few 
who were located in that part of the town acquired from Maine, were 
settlers in Chenango. 

But notwithstanding the inroads upon the territory of the town, Che- 
nango always has been noted for the substantial character of its inhab- 
itants, even from the pioneer period to the present time. It has fur- 
nished a fair quota of county officials, and always has had a strong rep- 
resentative in the board of supervisors. Many sons of old Chenango 
have attained positions of trust in public life, and in whatever capacity 
they have been found, they have acquitted themselves honorably. 

Settlement. — According to recognized authority, Thomas Gallop was 
the pioneer of this region, having located and made an improvement in 
1787, but soon afterward removing elsewhere. In the same year came 
Col. William Rose and his brother, locating on the site of Nimmons- 
burg, as afterward known. Col. Rose acquired title from the Indians, 
through the connivance of Amos Draper, the trader of Choconut; but 



THE TOWN OF CHENANGO. 



669 



the title failed as the 99-year lease which Rose negotiated with the In- 
dians was itself invalid. Nevertheless Col. Rose was a man of influ- 
ence in the locality and was the friend and associate of Joshua Whitney, 
the pioneer of Chenango village and Whitney's Flats, the first settled 
locality on the west bank of the river. 

This part of the Chenango valley settled rapidly and soon all the de- 
sirable flat lands along the river were taken and brought under culti- 
vation by pioneers from the east, among them being several patriots of 
the Revolution, with others who had learned of the quality of the lands 
through the representations of Clinton's soldiers. Among the pioneers 
and early settlers, in addition to those mentioned, were William Hall, 
Jedediah Seward, John Newell, Jared Page, Stephen and Henry Palmer, 
Foster Lilly, James Temple, Nathaniel Bishop, Henry French, Na- 
thaniel Lee and Tyrus Page. In 1788 Henry French built a saw mill at 
Castle Creek, thus establishing one of the earliest industries of the re- 
gion. The mill was patronized by all the settlers who could afford to 
pay for manufactured lumber. 

The reminiscences of Josiah West, which have appeared in various 
publications relating to early life in Chenango, accurately recalls the 
names of many settlers in the town, and particularly in the vicinity of 
Castle Creek. Mr. West informs us of the names of Mr. Stevens, Ben- 
jamin West, Colwell Cook, Samuel Hawley, Mr. Bishop, Miles Smith, 
Richard Knapp, Deacon Richard Gray (Uncle "Delhi"), Samuel 
Hawkes (the once famous abolitionist), Eli Blair and Lyman King. 
In connection with Mr. West's narrative the statement may be made 
that Thomas West, the pioneer of the family, was impressed into the 
British service during the Revolution, but on arriving in America he 
deserted and joined the Continental army, with which he fought through 
the war, and when lands in this region were opened for settlement, he 
came to the Chenango valley. He died in 1828. 

Drawing information from old records and other reliable sources, the 
names of still other early settlers are secured, for Chenango was noted 
for the great number as well as the substantial character of its pioneers. 
Among the names of heads of families thus found mention may be 
made of Cornelius Cole, George Post (a soldier of the war of 1812), Ira 
Keeler and Ira Scofield (both patriots of the Revolution), Richard Wat- 
erman (for whom Waterman hill, later Wilson hill, took its name), Asa 
Blair (who afterward removed to Schoharie county). 

According to the reminiscences of Samuel Lee, son of William and 



670 THE TOWN OF CHENANGO. 

grandson of pioneer Ashbel Lee, the earliest settlers in the town, some 
of whom already may have been mentioned, were Joseph Handy and 
Henry Palmer (both soldiers of the Revolution), Crocker Taylor, Chas. 
and Aaron Stone, Richard Lewis, Luther Acham, Joseph Lewis, Ste- 
phen Palmer, Owen Collins, Daniel Robinson, John and Lawrence 
Conklin, John Van Kuren, Amasa Leonard and his father, Azariah 
Heath, Richard Rummer, Elias Kattell (who founded and for whom 
Kattellville was named), Charles Sprague, George Whitney (kinsman 
to General Joshua Whitney of Chenango Point), the Wattles family, 
Andrew and Noah Shaw, Isaac Paige, William Thomas, Asa Smith. 
Still other and perhaps later settlers, but whose names are worthy to 
be mentioned in these annals, were Walter Gary, Cornelius M. Teal, 
Richard Knapp, Bradley Alderman, William Prentice (father of the 
late William and Jonas Prentice). 

Cornelius Cole settled near the site of Kattellville as early, it is said, 
as 1798. Albert and Ambrose Cole were sons of the pioneer, and for 
years were closely identified with the best history of the town. Elias 
Kattell, who was one of the foremost men in Chenango history during 
his lifetime, came from Vermont in 1796, and located on a thousand 
acre tract of land which included the present hamlet called Kattellville, 
which he founded and built up. The surname ever has been preserved 
in the town and has stood for the best element of Chenango citizenship. 
The late Alonzo and Judge Edward C. Kattell (the latter at one time 
county judge), were sons of the pioneer. Further mention of Elias 
Kattell will be found in our allusion to Kattellville. 

Thus is briefly written the history of early settlement in one of the 
most interesting civil divisions of Broome county — Chenango, as now 
constituted. A history of the greater or original town would include all 
the county east of the Chenango river, hence would include the city of 
Binghamton, which is the chief subject of this volume. 

Organization. — The early records of Chenango are lost beyond the 
hope of recovery, yet no person will attempt to give any reasonable ex- 
cuse for their disappearance, other than to say that probably in one of 
the divisions of the territory of the town the books may have been 
transferred to the newly created jurisdiction, and subsequently were 
regarded as of no value. However this may have been the writer will 
not attempt to explain, but with the loss of the original records Che- 
nango lost much of its early interesting town history, for the minute 
books of the town meeting are the historian's chief source of reliable 
information. 



THE TOWN OF CHENANGO. 671 

As has been stated in a preceding paragraph, this town was created 
as one of the original civil divisions of Tioga county, February 16 1791 
and that in accordance with the provisions of the act the first meeting 
for the election of town officers was held in April following. From 
that time meetings have been regularly held, and all offices have been 
filled with good capable men. But previous to the last division of the 
town (act of the legislature, passed Dec. 3, 1855, creating the towns of 
Binghamton, Chenango and Port Crane out of the territory of the 
mother town) many of the principal offices were filled by residents of 
the village of Binghamton, that place being the county seat and the 
center of trade and population in the town. In fact, for many years 
it seemed as if there was an unjust discrimination against the county 
residents of Chenango in the distribution of political favors at that time, 
the supervisor, the justice of the peace, constables and other leading 
offices generally being filled by Binghamtonians to the disregard of the 
convenience or rights of the people living in the remote parts of the 
town. However, after the division referred to, by which in fact the 
town was bereft of all its remaining original territory, officers were and 
still are chosen with reference to the best interests of the town itself. 
The act of 1855 directed that the first meeting thereafter held for the 
election of town officers be held at the house of Calvin Cole, under the 
supervision of Lyman B. Smith, William C. Hopkins and William A, 
Tyler. 

Supervisors. — The office of supervisor of Chenango since 1855 has 
been filled as follows: William M. Ely, 1855; William W.Thomas, 
1856; Lyman B. Smith, 1857; Lewis D. Bishop, 1858; Henry Hall, 
1859-61; Walter Cary, 1862-63; M. Bullock, 1864; Walter Cary, 1865; 
George Johnson, 1866-67; Henry Hall, 1868-69; Jesse Port, 1870; 
Henry Hall, 1871-72; Samuel E. Judd, 1873-74; Newton F. Everett, 
1875; Samuel E. Judd, 1876; Martin Bullock, 1877; Darwin Howard, 
1878-82; Newton F. Everett, 1883; Darwin Howard, 1884-87; Malcora 
U. Prentice, 1888-89; George W. Warner, 1890; Thaddeus A. Kattell, 
1891-93; Wellington C. Tread well, 1894-95; Charles M. Johnson, 1896- 
98; Thaddeus A. Kattell, 1899. 

The officers of the town for the year 1899 are Thaddeus A. Kattell, 
supervisor; Larry D. Booth, town clerk; Charles M. Johnson, Israel H. 
Paige, Philip H. Palmer, James H. Trafford, justices of the peace; 
Jerrell Hall, Anthony North, Augustus Hall, assessors; John Foot, 
highway commissioner; Wallace P. Dewey, Austin Hall, overseers of 
the poor; Samuel B. Eaton, collector. 



672 THE TOWN OF CHENANGO. 

Population. — On account of the frequent reduction in area of the 
town, there perhaps is no accurate way in which the fluctuations in 
population in Chenango can be determined. In 1855 the State census 
showed the town to contain a total population of 13,128 inhabitants, 
but in the next year the towns of Binghamton and Port Crane were 
created out of its territory, hence the census of 1860 gave Chenango 
only 1,841 inhabitants. However, recourse maybe had to the census 
reports, from which we may learn the number of inhabitants in the 
town at the end of each five years from the beginning of the century, 
viz.: In 1790 the territory comprising the town contained -lo inhab 
itants, but during the next ten years the number increased to 1,149 
Subsequent changes were as follows: In 1810, 1,360; 1814, 1,495; 1820, 
2,626; 1825, 2,782; 1830, 3,716; 1835, 5,441; 1840, 5,475; 1845, 6,602; 
1850, 8,734; 1855, 13,128; 1860, 1,841; 1865, 1,671; 1870, 1,680; 1875, 
1,628; 1880, 1,590; 1885, no count; 1890, 1,448; 1892, unofficial count, 
1,438. 

From this it is seen that during the last forty years here has been a 
gradual reduction in population in Chenango, which has been due to 
the general depreciation in value of farming lands throughout the in- 
terior of the state. In this respect Chenango has not suffered more 
seriously than other towns similarly situated, but being a purely 
agricultural town, without manufacturing or commercial resources of 
any kind, the loss appears more marked. 

As an agricultural town Chenango ranks well among the civil divis- 
ions of the county. Its lands are fertile and are well watered and 
drained, and very little of its area is untillable. In 1838, when the 
total area of the town was 56,707 acres, only 15,227 acres were im- 
proved. At the present time nearly all the lands of the town are under 
cultivation. 

Schools. — Chenango was one of the first towns in Tioga county to 
make provision for the proper education of its youth. This progress- 
iveness was due in part to the fact that the growing village of Bing- 
hamton was within its limits, but in later years, after the county seat 
had been set off, the same commendable spirit was shown by the 
authorities of the old jurisdiction. In 1807 the town contained 18 
school districts, and Mason Whiting and Oliver Ely, both of Bingham- 
ton, were commissioners of common schools. In 1838 the number of 
children between the ages of five and fifteen years was 1,372. Twenty 
years later the town comprised 12 school districts, and 470 children were 
regularly in attendance 



THE TOWN OF CHENANGO. 673 

According to the present disposition of school interests, Chenango is 
divided into 13 school districts, while the school census of the town 
shows 278 children between the ages of five and fifteen years. In 1899 
the amount of public school m3neys apportioned to the town was 
$1,444.89, and the town raised by tax the additional sum of $2,005.87. 
During the year there was paid for teachers' wages $3,000.69. The 
number of volumes of books in the school libraries of the town was 
412. 

VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. 

During the period of its history there have been been built up and 
established for the convenience of the inhabitants five hamlets or trad- 
ing centers, neither of which has progressed beyond the hamlet char- 
acter, or acquired more than about 150 inhabitants. Mentioned about 
in the order of importance, these villages are Castle Creek, Kattellville, 
Glen Castle, Chenango Bridge, Chenango Forks (a small hamlet in the 
extreme northeast corner of the town, and a village of Barker rather 
than of Chenango) and West Chenango, the latter being a post station 
on the western town border. 

Castle Creek is a pleasantly situated hamlet in the northwest part of 
the town, about six miles almost due north from the Chenango river. 
The principal highway leading to Binghamton follows the valley of the 
creek, and is known as one of the most pleasant drives in the county. 
Many years ago the inhabitants of this locality dignified their settle- 
ment with the name of " Castle Creek City," in allusion to the fact that 
they claimed for it a certain supremacy over the other settled localities 
of the town. 

The early settlers in this part of the town have been mentioned in an 
earlier paragraph. Josiah West practically laid the foundation for the 
village settlement when he opened a public house on the highway lead- 
ing from Hyde Settlement to the river. Ira Keeler built a saw mill 
and William West opened a store, and thus was the settlement founded. 
Josiah West procured a post-office to be established, thereby complet- 
ing the village character. The office ever since has been maintained 
here, the postmaster generally being the proprietor of the local store. 

For more than three quarters of a century Castle Creek has been a 
trading center of greater or less prominence, yet during that period 
hardly more than half a dozen merchants have done business here. At 
one time in the early history of the town the Benjamin store and tavern 

43 



674 THE TOWN OF CHENANGO. 

threatened to attract trade to a point half a mile above the village 
proper, but after a few years the attempt Wc-S abandoned. Among the 
early and more prominent factors in hamlet history in Castle Creek may 
be mentioned the names of Josiah and William West, Ira Keeler (mil- 
ler), Jacob Burrows, Enos Puffer and Richard Townsend (blacksmiths), 
C. P. Johnson, S. E. Judd, Jas. Bristol, Lyman B. Smith, Cornelius Dunn, 
S. Lumm, P. Goodspeed, Lewis Allen (miller and successor to Mr. 
Green), Darwin Howard, M. P. Blair, E A. Roe, William M. Gray and 
C. M. Johnson. The earliest millers were Ira Keeler and Charles Stone. 
The Phelps & Alderman steam saw mill was in operation previous to 
1850. 

The present business interests of Castle Creek are represented by 
the stores of William M. Gray and Charles M. Johnson, and the saw 
and feed mills of I. P. Alderman. The public institutions are the Bap- 
tist and Methodist Episcopal churches and the district school. 

Glen Castle is a post station on the stage route between Castle Creek 
and Binghamton, and is distant north from the river about two miles. As 
a trade center the place is of little importance, except to the farmers of 
the immediate vicinity; and only through the efforts of D wight and 
Franklin French, about 1855, was a store successfully established. 
Amaziah Leonard was an early lumberman in the locality, his followers 
being Tobias Oakley, Clement and Ebenezer French, Thomas French 
& Son, and Richard Monroe. Among the later day merchants have 
been C. A. Tompkins, C. O, Watrous and Riley Hogaboom, the latter 
now being in trade. The only other present institutions of Glen Castle 
are the Methodist church and the district school. 

Kattellville, a post and railway station on the line of the S., B. & N. Y. 
railroad, in the eastern central part of the town, unquestionably is the 
most appropriately named hamlet in Broome county. According to the 
statements of the biographer of the late Judge Edward C. Kattell, the set- 
tlement was founded as early as 1796 by Elias Kattell, who in that year 
came from Vermont, purchased a thousand square acres of land and 
erected a dwelling, tavern, distillery and two saw mills, and thus at 
that early day became one of the most extensive developers in the en 
tire region. The mills were built on the stream originally known as 
Gilbert's creek, but which in allusion to the conspicuous works of 
pioneer Kattell soon took and afterward retained the name of Kattell 
creek. Alonzo Kattell followed in the footsteps of his father, and in 
fact materially assisted him in his various early enterprises. In 1853 



THE TOWN OF CHENANGO. 675 

he built a large steam saw mill, the latter being afterward burned and 
then rebuilt. He also built a grist mill and a hotel, the former of 
which burned in the early sixties, while the latter was ultimately 
abandoned. When Elias Kattell died in 1867 he and his son Alonzo 
were owners of about a square mile of land, which subsequently was 
divided among the children of the son. In fact, for more than a cent- 
ury one or more substantial descendants of Elias Kattell have lived in 
this immediate locality, and have been associated with the best interests 
and history of the town. The male descendants of the pioneer who 
have thus been factors in- town history in recent years are Thaddeus A. 
Kattell, who has represented the town several years as supervisor (and 
who, by the way, has been one of the most conservative, safe and con- 
sistent members of the board), and Charles W. Kattell, a business man 
of New York city, but who maintains a splendid summer residence — 
Ovalhurst — at Kattellville, on a part of the old farm. 

Among the other prominent characters in the history of this locality 
may be mentioned Samuel Miller and Henry Palmer, who were early 
settlers and whose descendants still are in the town or county. Through 
the influence of Elias Kattell the hamlet was made a post station, the 
pioneer himself being the first postmaster. Later incumbents of the 
office were Alonzo Kattell, son, and Adaline Kattell Carpenter (grand- 
daughter of the pioneer), Martin Bullock and others. The public in- 
stitutions of the hamlet are the Methodist Episcopal church and the 
school of the 7th district of the town. The present storekeeper is 
Leonard Stone, but as'a trade center Kattellville has not attracted much 
attention since the milling industries were discontinued. However, 
previous to the death of Alonzo Kattell the hamlet was the rival of any 
settlement in the town. 

Chenango Bridge is a post-office and railroad station on the north side 
of the river, about six miles from Binghamton. The station was es- 
tablished for the convenience of residents of the locality, but the busi- 
ness interests date back only about sixteen years. The present mer- 
chants are O. B. Wilmot and Hiram Johnson. 

West Chenango is a post and stage station in the western part of the 
town, in the locality where John, Sylvanus and Constant Dimmick set- 
tled during the early years of the century, and in allusion to whom the 
place once was called " Dimmick Settlement." John and Amos Wilcox, 
Nathan Stratton and Judah Carter also were among the early residents 
of this part of the town. West Chenango practically is without busi- 



676 THE TOWN OF LISLE. 

ness interests, and its only institutions are the Methodist church and 
the district school. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

THE TOWN OF LISLE. 

" The old state of Lisle," created from Union, April 7, 1801, origin- 
ally included the territory of the adjoining towns of Nanticoke, Barker 
and Triangle, also a small portion of Union in addition to its present 
area of 27,772 acres of land. Then it was a splendid jurisdiction and 
contained much of the most fertile land of which the county could 
boast; and in allusion to the substantial character of its inhabitants, 
and its general prominence among the towns of the county, it frequent- 
ly was called " the old state of Lisle." Directly, however, the name 
Lisle was applied in allusion to Lisle, in France; not that there was a 
strong element of French population among its pioneers, but from the 
prevailing custom of the period which prompted the use of foreign 
names in designating new towns and villages. Even to the present 
day the old familiar designation is occasionally used, especially when 
important elections are held, for Lisle is noted among other things for 
its never-failing Republican majorities. "As goes the old state of 
Lisle, so goes the county," has been a Republican declaration for many 
years. 

The town occupies a position in the extreme northwest corner of the 
county. Its territory was first materially reduced by the legislature by 
" an act to divide the town of Lisle," passed April 18, 1831, by which 
north and south and east and west lines were run as nearly as possible 
through the center of the old jurisdiction, thus creating four towns out 
of the territory of the mother town. Triangle, Barker and Nanticoke 
thus were added to the towns in Broome county. In 1812, in estab- 
lishing a permanent division line between this town and Berkshire, it 
became desirable to annex a small portion of Lisle to Union, and the 
part so annexed afterward was set off to Nanticoke. 

The physical characteristics of Lisle are extremely favorable to all 
agricultural pursuits, although the hills are of a height varying from 



THE TOWN OF LISLE. 677 

400 to 700 feet. The Tioughnioga river has its course across the north- 
east corner of the town, dividing the land surface into two unequal 
parts. Along the valley of the river the soil is a rich, gravelly loam, 
but on the hills it is of clay and slaty gravel, with hardpan underneath! 
In certain localities the hills are too steep for easy cultivation, yet they 
afford excellent grazing areas for cattle, and nearly every farmer in the 
town is more or less interested in dairying pursuits. The old Dudley, 
or Yorkshire, creek is the principal tribucary of the Tioughnioga,' 
and flows easterly, draining the northern and central portions of the 
town. 

Lisle is situated wholly within the grand division of the Boston Pur- 
chase, and under the agency of the proprietors of that historic tract, 
its lands were surveyed and offered for sale in the markets of eastern 
New York and all New England, whence came many of its pioneers, 
some of them being the proprietors themselves. Early authorities on 
Lisle history assert that the pioneers of the town were Josiah Patterson 
(a brother of General John Patterson, and, like him, was one of the fore- 
most men in the county in his time), Ebenezer Tracy, Edward Edwards 
(ancestorof the late Judge William B. Edwards), David Manning, Eliph- 
alet Parsons (one of whose descendants is Robert S. Parsons, of the Bing- 
hamton bar), and Whittlesey Gleason; also that the first white person 
born in the town was Henry Patterson, son of Josiah, the date of the birth 
being 1793 ; that the first marriage was that of Solomon Owen and Sylvia 
Cook; the first death that of Wright Dudley; that the first grist mill 
was built in 1800 by Jacob Hill ; that the first store was opened by Moses 
Adams, and that the first tavern was kept by O. Wheaton. While in 
some cases the dates of these " first events " are uncertain, it is known 
that the settlement mentioned was begun by Yankees from New Eng- 
land in 1791, and progressed so rapidly that in 1800 the territory com- 
prising the town contained 660 inhabitants; and that the primitive in- 
stitutions were then firmly established. 

Josiah Patterson proved a worthy and valuable man in the new set- 
tlement, although his residence here was brief. His lands were exten- 
sive, and soon he became the owner of a saw mill which stood on the 
site so long afterward occupied for milling purposes in the little settle- 
ment early known as " Millville." In 1808 Mr. Patterson sold his land 
and mills to Jesse Randall and removed to Whitney's Point. Mr. Ran- 
dall, who came here in 1808, added a carding mill to the other mills in 
1810. Samuel Kilburn came a few years later, about 1810, and was a 



678 THE TOWN OF LISLE. 

cloth dresser and proprietor of a little fulling mill at the settlement. 
Ebenezer Tracy made the first settlement on the site of Lisle village 
in 1793. Dr. Samuel Hunt came the same year. Among the other 
settlers of about the same time, or between that time and 1800, were 
Capt. Whittlesey, of whom mention has been made, Jonathan Cowdry, 
Major David Manning (for whom Manningville was named), Edward 
Edwards (the pioneer of "Rood hill," and grandson of Jonathan Ed- 
wards, who once was president of Princeton college, and also a member 
of the legislature in 1797-98). 

Capt. Ebenezer Whittlesey, his son Samuel, and Jonathan Cowdry 
were the pioneers in the vicinity of KiUawog, the settlement originally 
being known as " Union village." They located here about 1795. Abel 
Hartshorn, John Thompson, Capt. Abel Abbey, Judge Nathaniel Bos- 
worth (assistant judge of the Common Pleas in 1838), Richard Moore, 
Henry Todd (on the Erastus Johnson place) were also early prominent 
settlers in the locality. 

Still other early settlers, who may be mentioned without special re- 
gard to locality, were Leonard Sessions, Stephen Atwood, Col. William 
Cook (1798), John P. Patterson (son of Gen. John Patterson), Noahdiah 
Stanley, Anson Dickinson, Philo Green, Elder David Leach (a famous 
Baptist preacher and church organizer), Jonathan Parsons, Major Solo- 
mon Owen (for whom Owen hill was named, and who was one of the 
first blacksmiths in the town), William Hoard, David Brown (father of 
the late Col. Robert Brown), John Edmister, Joseph and Isaac Niles 
(who were among the earliest merchants of Lisle village), Moses Burg- 
hardt (among whose descendants were several prominent men in town 
and county history in later years), Whittlesey Gleason (whose descend- 
ants still live in the town). Rev. Seth Williston (the missionary laborer 
and organizer throughout the state, representing the general assembly 
of Connecticut, and who became pastor of the church in Lisle in 1803, 
although he came to the town in 1796), Stephen Freeman (1800), Jo- 
seph Edmister (ancestor of the late Philotus Edmister, sheriff), Henry 
Cole (shoemaker), Peter Wood, Gen. Samuel Coe (one of the first set- 
tlers in town east of the Tioughnioga, and a still earlier resident in 
Union), Robert Pierce, Moses Adams, David Blakeslee, Michael Fuller, 
Oliver Wheaton, Bradford Lockwood (tavern keeper), Elijah Rose, 
Elijah Dewey, Deacon Davis, Ashbel Wheaton, Daniel Hanchett, Elijah 
Barden, Solomon Bodfish, and others, whose names are equally worthy 
of mention, but have become lost with the lapse of years. 



THE TOWN OF LISLE. 079 

Thus is brought to the attention of the reader the names of many of 
the pioneers and early settlers of Lisle. No attempt has been made to 
narrate in detail the events of early life in the town, but it is hoped 
that none who were prominently connected with the interesting early 
history of the town have been passed entirely unnoticed. Chroniclers 
of Lisle history have devoted much attention to events and incidents of 
early history in th-e region, wherefore in the present connection it is 
not deemed necessary to repeat at length their statements, for the his- 
tory of the town has not changed in any sense; but it has been the pur- 
pose of the present work to mention in a brief way the names of as 
many as possible of the men who were factors in early town history. 

From what has been stated on preceding pages, it must be seen that 
settlement in the town was begun as early and progressed as rapidly as 
in any part of the county, not excepting even the fertile valleys of the 
Susquehanna and Chenango rivers and Owego creek, where were pre- 
sumably the most desirable lands of the region. As has been men- 
tioned, in 1800, one year previous to the creation of this town, the 
territory afterward included within its limits contained a total popu- 
lation of 660 persons. In 1815, according to the town records, the taxa- 
ble inhabitants numbered more than 500, including a population of more 
than 3,500 persons. In 1814 the actual number of inhabitants was 3,420. 
However, as another evidence of early rapid and permanent growth, re- 
course may be had to the census reports, from which it is learned that 
the population of the town in 1800 was 660; in 1810, 3,144; 1814, 2,430; 
1830,3,083; 1835,3,615; 1830, 4,393; 1835, 1,413; 1840, 1.558; 1845, 
1,657; 1850,1,680; 1855, 1,815; 1860,1,791; 1865,3,066; 1870, 3,535; 
1875,2,439; 1880,3,399; 1890,1,903; 1893,1,937. 

From the foregoing statement it will be seen that the greatest popula- 
tion in the town was attained in 1830, when the number of inhabitants 
was 4,393; and it will be seen that Lisle then was the most populous 
town in Broome county, greater even than either Union or Chenango, 
the latter containing the county seat with all its varied interests. 

In 1831 the legislature passed " an act to divide the town of Lisle," by 
which its territory was divided into four parts, and by which the addi- 
tional towns of Triangle, Barker and Nanticoke were created. This re- 
duction took from the mother town three-fourths of its area and a like 
proportion of its inhabitants. However, from 1830 to 1870 Lisle con- 
tinued to grow, the greatest subsequent population being reached in the 
latter year, when the inhabitants numbered 3,535. From the year last 



680 THE TOWN OF LISLE. 

numbered to the present time there has been a gradual decrease in pop- 
ulation, due to the causes which have reduced the number of inhab- 
itants in nearly all the purely agricultural towns in the state. Soon 
after 1865 lumbering as an industry rapidly declined, and the only re- 
sources of the people were agricultural pursuits and the general unim- 
portant manufactures which could be successfully carried on in an in- 
terior town; and it requires no particular strain upon truth to say that 
general agriculture during the last twenty years has not resulted profit- 
ably to the husbandman. This unsatisfactory condition naturally has 
caused the younger element of the town's population to seek other 
means of livelihood in the commercial centers. Lisle's contribution to 
the constantly increasing population of Binghamton may be numbered 
by hundreds of persons, and among them have been some of the best 
professional and business men of that important municipality. Lisle, 
too, has furnished a full quota of county ofiEicers during the last quarter 
of a century; and once fairly located and acquainted in the city, there 
has been shown little inclination to return to the farm. 

Among the early settlers in Lisle were many men of firm determina- 
tion, and of the number several had seen service in the American army 
during the Revolution. It is a fact worthy of mention that among the 
settlers in town were probably thirty men who were patriots of the war 
for American independence, all of whom were New Englanders, but 
who after the return of peace sought homes in the region of southern 
New York. Of the entire number the names of twenty-four men are 
found and are preserved in the records of Tuscarora Chapter, Daugh- 
ters of the American Revolution, of Binghamton. 

The roll of patriots for this town contains these names: Ambrose 
Barnes, Aaron Benedict, William Cook (settled 1798), Samuel Coe, Gar- 
rett Cronk, Samuel Hinman, Joseph Rowland, Consider Rowland, David 
Rulbert, Edward Johnson, Orange Johnson, David Manning, Josiah Pat 
terson, John Patterson, Zadoc Pierce, Samuel Phipps, Benjamin Parker, 
George Ramsey, James Stoddard (1800), Joshua Swift, Isaac Terry, 
Thaddeus Thompson (settled 1802), Ebenezer Tracy (settled 1793), 
Joshua Wheeler, Silas Walton. 

Having on preceding pages devoted much attention to the pioneers 
and early settlers of the town, it is proper that some brief allusion be 
made to those who have been factors in the later history of the town, 
for Lisle even to the present day has always maintained its reputation 
for the prominent character and quality of its citizens. Among the 



THE TOWN OF LISLE. 681 

many men entitled to notice in this connection there may be recalled 
the names of G. J. Adams (who settled in the north part of Lisle in 
1862), Charles Atwood (born in the town, 1821), Stephen Arnold, James 

A. Austin, Leonard Baker, Nathan O. Benedict (former town clerk and 
justice, and who settled in Lisle in 1838), Calvin Bliss (whose name is 
still well preserved in the county), John Brayman (farmer, settled in 
Lisle, 1837), John Brown (a native of the town and a substantial farm- 
er), Charles H. Butterfield (merchant at Killawog), George Butterfield 
(farmer, settled in Lisle, 1866), E. J. Couch (now deceased), George W. 
Couch (farmer, settled in Lisle, 1855), Milton Coy (settled 1856), Orange 

B. Edmister (son of Thomas Edmister and descendant of an early fam- 
ily), Philotus Edmister (late sheriff of the county), Hamilton Edwards 
(of pioneer stock and once an extensive lumberman), Royal Ensign 
(settled in the town in 1827), Dr. Salphronius H. French (who prac- 
ticed medicine in Lisle from 1834 to 1877), Frederick Fulmer (settled, 
1858), Samuel Hotailing (born in Lisle, 1834), Seth M. Hotailing (born 
in Lisle, 1832), J. B. Rowland (native of Lisle, an extensive farmer and 
frequently elected town official), Melvin Rowland (born in Lisle, and a 
large farmer), Orson Rowland (native, prosperous farmer and a town 
official), T. P. Rowland (native, lumberman, merchant and farmer), D. 
W. Rowland (farmer), John D. IngersoU (former merchant), G. W. 
Jennings (native of the town, extensive farmer and cattle dealer), Isaac 
N. Leet (the old highway commissioner, who came to Lisle from Tomp- 
kins county in 1844), Alonzo D. Lewis (a native of Connecticut; settled 
in Triangle in 1859 ; soldier in Co. D, 109th inf. ; came to Lisle after the 
war and has been for years one of the foremost men in the town; su- 
pervisor, village president, justice of the peace, member of assembly, 
farmer, postmaster, merchant and manufacturer), John C. Lewis (set- 
tled in Lisle, 1862; merchant and active factor in town and village his- 
tory), Daniel R. Livermore (farmer, born in Lisle), Cornelius M. Lusk 
(farmer, carpenter, supervisor, justice of the peace, and veteran school 
teacher), Simeon J. Lusk (native of Union, farmer, school teacher and 
superintendent of schools; father of Prof. James L. Lusk of Union), 
Joel Miller (born in Lisle, 1833; farmer), George L. Nichols (settled in 
Lisle, 1844; member of Co. F, 89th N. Y. inf.), Darius Orton (born in 
Lisle, 1844, member of Co. E, 137th N. Y. inf.), Fred H. Perry (came 
to Millville, 1862, and carried on a saw and grist mill; died 1882), M. 
Frank Perry (native of Colesville; manufacturer), James H. Pinckney 
(settled in Lisle 1864; farmer and cattle dealer), Oscar F. Pinckney 



683 THE TOWN OF LISLE. 

(farmer and five years highway commissioner), Almon L. Reed (farmer; 
enlisted Co. F, 89th N. Y. vols. ; wounded at Antietam), Solomon Reed 
(settled in Lisle with parents in 1834), Noyes Salisbury (born in Lisle, 
1820), Archimedes Sessions (farmer; son of Marcus Sessions, an early 
settler), Lewis S. Smith (settled in Lisle, 1859; built the Centre Lisle 
tannery and operated it until 1864, when he was succeeded in business 
by J . S. Rockwell & Co.), Leroy H. Smith (son of Lev/is S. Smith; lum- 
berman in Lisle and afterward fire-arms manufacturer in Ithaca), George 
D. Sparrow (the old Lisle liveryman), Madison M. Storrs (farmer, set- 
tled in Lisle, 1859), Henry F. Theleman (the old landlord, who came to 
Lisle in 1844), Harry J.Watties (son of Col. Mason Wattles; large 
farmer and frequently town official), Ashley Williams (farmer, carpen-. 
ter, insurance agent, justice of the peace, and a prominent figure in 
Killawog history for many years; native of the town, and son of Henry 
Williams, who came to Lisle about 1834), David Wood (settled in Lisle 
with his parents in 1830). 

Thus might the list be continued indefinitely, until every family in 
the town is mentioned in some manner, for it is a fact that in Lisle 
nearly every old resident has been in some manner identified with local 
growth and history. Many of those whose names are recalled are not 
in the field of action and business life, but have closed their labors and 
given way to others of more recent date. All, however, in a way have 
contributed to the welfare of the town, hence are entitled to at least a 
passing notice in this brief chapter of reminiscences. 

Among the prominent characters in Lisle history Rev. Dr. Azariah 
Orton stood in the foremost rank. He was born in 1789, and was the 
grandson of Col. Giles Jackson who prepared the articles of capitulation 
that Gea. Burgoyne signed at the historic surrender following the bat- 
tle of Stillwater (Saratoga). Dr. Orton was graduated at Williams col- 
lege, and also at Princeton Theological seminary, and then entered the 
Presbyterian ministry. He was appointed to preach in "destitute places 
in Georgia," and after that mission was accomplished he made a similar 
tour through western New York. He was ordained in 1822, and was 
pastor of the Presbyterian church at Seneca Falls from 1822 to 1835, 
and of the Congregational church at Lisle from 1835 to 1838, and again 
from 1852 to 1800. The degree of D.D. was conferred upon him by the 
University of New York in 1849. Dr. Orton, who was father of Dr. 
John Gay Orton, of Binghamton, died in this town in 1865. 

Dr. Thaddeus Thompson settled in Lisle in 1802, and was the pioneer 



THE TOWN OF LISLE. 



683 



physician, and as well one of the earliest merchants of Yorkshire, as 
Centre Lisle is otherwise known. William and Thaddeus Thompson, 
sons of the pioneer, also entered the medical profession, the former 
soon afterward removing to Michigan, while the latter practiced in 
Lisle several years. He married a daughter of Gen. Stoddard and 
afterwards settled in Michigan. 

Dr. Salphronius H. French, whose parents were early settlers at 
Castle Creek, began medical practice in Lisle about 1833, but soon 
afterward located in the town of Chenango. For a time he was partner 
with Dr. Pelatiah B. Brooks, who is mentioned in the medical history of 
Binghamton, but when the latter removed from Lisle to the county seat 
Dr. French returned and practiced here until his death, in 1877. 

Among the later physicians of the town may be recalled the names 
of Dr. Lewis H. Kelly, Dr. George R. Barnes (a native of the town), Dr. 
James Allen, jr.. Dr. William J. Orton (son of Rev. Dr. Orton), Dr. 
Simeon H. McCall and Dr. Henry C. Hall. 

The first justices of the peace of the town, appointed under the con- 
stitution of 1822, were James Stoddard, 2d, Timothy Clark, Thomas 
Whitney, James Ticknor and Jonathan Lewis. Nathan Bosworth was 
appointed to office in 1824. 

Schools. — Little is now known of the history of the early schools in 
Lisle, and nothing of a reliable character has ever been written upon 
this important subject. It is known, however, that the inhabitants of 
the town ever have been mindful both of the educational and spiritual 
welfare of their youth, and in the ver}^ early history of the region made 
some provision for their instruction. In 1813, in accordance with the 
state laws then enacted, the territory was divided into districts, and 
provision was made for a school in each. According to the commis- 
sioners' (William J. Cook, Ira Seymour and Oliver Stiles) report for the 
year 1816, the town comprised 26 entire districts, and the number of 
children then in the jurisdiction between the ages of 5 and 15 years 
was 804. At that time Lisle included ail that is now Triangle, Barker 
and Nanticoke, and after these towns were set off it became necessary 
to rearrange the district boundaries in the mother town. 

In 1835, when the town contained 310 qualified electors, the number 
of children of school age between the years of 5 and 16 in the territory 
was 433. Then the districts numbered 11, and the amount of public 
moneys apportioned to the town for school purposes was $265. TO. In 
that year the inhabitants numbered 1,413. In 1855 the town contained 



084 THE TOWN OF LISLE. 

382 freeholders, 13 school districts, and 744 children attending school. 
According to the present disposition of school interests in the town, 
the territory comprises 12 school districts, of which one (No. 5) has no 
school house in this county. In 1899 there was apportioned to Lisle 
from the state public school funds the sum of $3,800.01, while there 
was raised by town tax for school purposes the sum of $4,014.65. Dur- 
ing the year there was paid to teachers the sum of $4,436 71. The 
school census showed the town to contain 329 children between the 
ao-es of 5 and 16 years. The number of books in school libraries was 

656. 

For more than three quarters of a century Lisle has been an agricul- 
tural and industrial town, and during the last thirty years agriculture 
in a great measure has replaced all other business pursuits. This does 
not come from the fact that the industrial resources of the town are 
exhausted, but rather indicates that manufacturing industries have 
gradually withdrawn and removed to the larger commercial centers 
where labor is more easily secured and where transportation facilities 
are better. Sixty-five years ago Lisle was a manufacturing town of 
considerable note. In 1835 within its limits were 7,590 acres of im- 
proved and 16,174 acres of unimproved lands. The inhabitants pos- 
sessed 1,754 head of neat cattle, 376 horses, 3,232 sheep and Oil swine. 
In the same year there was manufactured a total of 2,893 yards of fulled 
cloth, 3,433 yards of flannel cloth, and 3,916 yards of cotton and linen 
cloths. The town then had in operation three grist mills, twenty saw 
mills, one oil cloth mill, three fulling mills, three carding mills, one 
trip hammer or forging mill, two potasheries and three tanneries. The 
post-offices then were Lisle, Centre Lisle and Union village. 

VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. 

Lisle. — For more than a century this village, with the adjoining set- 
tlement called Millville, has been a center of trade and industry, yet 
little indeed has been written, nor can be reliably written, of its earliest 
history, and at the same time reproduce the names of all the factors in 
its history. We know that Ebenezer Tracy settled on the village site 
in 1793, and that Dr. Hunt came the same year. It is known, too, that 
Samuel Kilburn soon afterward laid the foundation for a hamlet settle- 
ment at Millville when he built there a fulling mill ; and a little later 
when a grist mill was started there, Millville was a rival village. 
About 1808 Col. William Cook built a tannery on the village site and 



THE TOWN OF LISLE. 685 

soon afterward opened a store. This drew trade to the locality, and 
the little settlement at the mouth of Yorkshire (formerly Dudley's) 
creek soon became known by the name of Lisle. Col. Mason Wattles 
soon afterwards joined with Col. Cook in business and the firm car- 
ried on extensive operations several years. 

Thus was the village founded. It was of sufficient importance in 
1802 to become a post station, the mail generally being carried on horse- 
back from the Hudson river region. The office was established August 
26th, with Simeon Rogers as postmaster, continuing until 1814, when 
William Thompson succeeded him. The subsequent postmasters have 
been Cyrus Johnson, 1818-24; Thomas Whitney, 1824-29; Reed Brock- 
way, 1829-34; Pelatiah B. Brooks, 1834-36; Nathan N. Brockway, 
1836-38; Otis Smith, 1838-42; Artemas Howland, 1842-45; Otis Lewis, 
1845-49; William H. vStoddard, 1849-56; Hiram McCall, 1856-57; S. 
H. French, 1857-58; William H. Allison, 1858-59; Wm. V. Share, 1859- 
63; Wm. H. Squire, 1863-70; Philotus Edmister, 1870-72; Wm. D. 
Lord, 1872-78; John C. Lewis, 1878-80; Walter L. Peck, 1880-85; 
Thomas S. Boughton, 1885-89; Alonzo D. Lewis, 1889-93; Frank P. 
Edminster, 1893-97; Dwight French, 1897-. 

Previous to the construction of the S., B. & N.Y. railroad. Lisle was a 
mail station on the stage route through the Chenango and Tioughnioga 
valleys, but with the opening of the road in 1854 the village soon be- 
came a place of considerable importance. Ten years later five large 
general stores and several manufactories were doing an extensive busi- 
ness, and the inhabitants naturally sought the benefits of municipal in- 
corporation. The question was submitted to the qualified electors on 
February 5, 1867, and resulted in 55 votes for and 8 against the pro- 
posed measure. The report being presented to the Court of Sessions, 
the village was promptly incorporated under the name of "Lisle." 

A reincorporation was effected in the early part of 1876, as was de- 
termined by a vote of 60 for and 18 against, at an election held on Jan- 
uary 4 of that year. The board of trustees then elected comprised 
Frank P. Lewis, George W. Lewis, Alonzo D. Lewis and Jeremiah Fen- 
ner. When originally incorporated Lisle contained about 300 inhab- 
itants, and when reincorporated the number had increased to about 400, 
which is about the present population of the village. 

The Union library of Lisle was one of the oldest institutions of the 
village, although little is known of its history. It was incorporated in 
June, 1814, with Leonard Sessions, Nathaniel Bosworth, Daniel Crane, 



686 THE TOWN OF LISLE. 

Uriel Sessions and Harvey Dewey as trustees. At that time the mem- 
bers of the association were Oliver Wheaton, William W. Cook, Otis S. 
Hollenbeck, Nathaniel Bosworth, Aaron Benedict, John S. Payne, Miles 
Washburn, Samuel Whittlesey, Mason Wattles, Robert Pierce, Jonathan 
Covvdry, Dean Briggs, Cephas Comstock, Ely Rose, Solomon Owen, Tina 
Alvord, John Bemis, John W. Thompson, Jesse Swift and Martin Swift. 
Inasmuch as all the prominent men of the village naturally were iden- 
tified with an association of this character, it may be assumed that the 
foregoing list of members includes the names of the conspicuous factors 
in Lisle village history at that time. 

In 1865 the business interests of the village were represented sub- 
stantially as follows: Clark & Burghardt, general store; R. S. Osborn, 
general store; Dwight French, dry goods, drugs and medicines; J. M. 
Hanford, groceries, boots and shoes, flour and feed; J. C. Lewis, dry 
goods, notions and groceries; D S. Hubbard, lumber dealer; J. M. 
Snook, lumber dealer, sash and blind factory; T. G. Tyler, tannery; J. 
Willis, tannery ; M. M. Hollenbeck, manufacturer of boots and shoes; 
S. D. Martin, D. D. Davidson, produce and commission merchants; A. 
L. Howland, fruit tree dealer; A. D. Freeman, river pilot; T. S. Ben- 
ton, harness maker; J. E. Nutting, dentist; H. O. Howland, proprietor 
Lisle hotel; S. H. French, W. G. Orton, physicians; William B. Edwards, 
Alexander McDowell, attorneys. When compared with present busi- 
ness interests ii will be seen that the village has neither the number nor 
the variety of industries of thirty five and forty years ago. It cannot 
be claimed, however, that Lisle has retrograded during this period, for 
such is hardly the case. 

Among the factors in local business history during recent years may 
be recalled the names of H. A. Lamb, F. D. Fox, W. F. Saxton, Alonzo 
Lewis (who began dealing in hardware in 18(32), A. & F. J. Inderlied, 
JohnC. Lewis, George Lewis, John D. Peck, A.J. Gurnsey (saw mill), 
H. Edwards & Co. (an old firm of extensive lumbermen). J. S. Rockwell 
& Co. (who at one time had a tannery at Lisle and another at the Cen- 
tre), George Bassett «& Son, C. W. Theleman, proprietor of the hotel, 
successor to Gideon Landers. The present hotel was built in 1875, and 
always has been a well kept and well patronized hostelry. 

As now situated, Lisle is a well ordered village of about 400 inhabit- 
ants, with business interests adequate for the requirements of the in- 
habitants of the town. The only manufacturing industry of importance 
is the "beer shaving" business carried on by Alonzo D. Lewis in the 



THE TOWN OF LISLE. 



687 



building formerly occupied by the Lisle Wagon company. The latter 
(incorporated in May, 1882; capital, $12,000) once having been the 
leading industry of the locality. The present mercantile interests are 
represented by the well stocked general stores of Alonzo D. Lewis, 
Ellis H. Sparrow and A. & F. J. Inderlied; the tobacco, jewelry store 
and barber shop of Mert Sternburg; the fruit and confectionery store 
of Henry French, and the creamery of D. S. Zimmer. 

The village long has been noted for the excellence of its public 
schools. Indeed, Lisle was one of the early interior villages of the 
state to give its youth the advantages of the union free school system. 
The change from the old district school was effected in 1866, and what 
ever since has been known as Lisle academy was the result. The first 
president of the board of education was Alexander McDowell, who was 
known as one of the most careful lawyers of the county bar. From 
that time to the present the educational interests of the village have 
been carefully guarded and have been placed in the hands of prudent 
business men. In 1899 Lisle Union school District No. 1 received from 
the Regents of the University the sum of $156.93. Four teachers are 
employed. The school census of the village is 85 children. The school 
is now under the principalship of Prof. George H. Van Tuyl. The 
board of education comprises Dwight French, president and secretary, 
and Mortimer B. Edwards, Andrew Inderlied, Eben Carley and Alonzo 
D. Lewis. 

The Lisle Gleaner, an excellent and well patronized family newspa- 
per, was founded in May, 1871. by Gilbert A. Dodge, with Eugene Da- 
vis, a thorough newspaper man, in the capacity of editor. In February, 
1872, Mr. Davis succeeded to the ownership of the paper and continued 
its publication with unvarying success until about three years ago, when 
the office passed into the hands of Alfred Li vermore, the present owner 
of the Gleaner. The paper has come to be a necessity in northern 
Broome county, where it has a large circulation, with a liberal adver- 
tising patronage both from Lisle and the city of Binghamton. 

The first attempt to start a Lisle newspaper was made in 1866, when 
Peter D. and Chester A Van Vradenburg (the former of whom now is 
the editorial head of the Binghamton Daily Republican) of the Mara- 
thon Leader issued a local edition under the name of the "Lisle Dis- 
patch," circulating about 300 copies for the period of a year. William 
Capron acted as local editor and manager. In 1871 A. S. Foote of the 
Broome Gazette, established a branch office in the village and issued 



688 THE TOWN OF LISLE. 

three numbers of a paper called the Lisle Herald, the press work, how- 
ever, being done in Whitney's Point. 

The present officers of the village are George H. Littlewood, presi- 
dent; Ellis H. Sparrow, clerk, and William H. Squire and Mortimer B. 
Edwards, trustees. 

Killdwog. — The early settlement in that part of the town in which 
Killawog is situated is mentioned on an earlier page of this chapter, 
but in early village history here we find the names of Captain Ebenezer 
Whittlesey, Mason Wattles, John Thompson, Col. William W. Cook, 
Robert Pierce, Judge Nathaniel Bosworth (who had a grist mill, saw 
mill and oil mill), Henry Todd, Jonathan and Allen Cowdry, Cephas 
Comstock (who built the first toll bridge across the river at this point) 
and Joseph Wheaton prominently connected with passing events. The 
original hamlet name was Union Village, but as the the town of Union 
had a village of Union, it became necessary to change the name of the 
latter settlement, and Killawog was selected. The postoffice name of 
Union village was continued until 1840, and tlie inhabitants here were 
slow to adopt the new designation. 

The locality was for many years the center of extensive lumbering 
operations, but after the lands were cleared fine farms were developed 
and northern Lisle then became a fertile agricultural region, with Kil- 
lawog a busy center of trade. Still, the growth of the hamlet never 
has been rapid, nor have its interests numbered more than two or three 
stores, with about as many industries and shops of less importance In 
recalling the names of recent factors in business history mention may 
be made of J. J. Wheaton, E. R. Rindge, Milo Washburne, F. A. Potter, 
Israel Pettyplace, F. C. Smith, C. H. Butterfield, T. R. Hitt, Carding 
Jackson, Mr. Brockway and Henry Braman. The present interests of 
of the village comprise Mr. Hitt's flour and feed mill, Melvin R. Spen- 
cer's and Ashley Williams' general stores, and the mills of H. Edwards 
& Co., which are located just outside the village limits. 

Center Lish\ originally known as Yorkshire, is a hamlet of about 125 
inhabitants and is located, as its name indicates, near the geographical 
center of the town. Under ordinary conditions the center would have 
been the chief seat of trade in the town, and in accordance with the 
custom of the New England settlers who first peopled the region, such 
was the intention ; but it so happened that the principal thoroughfare 
of travel lay along the river, and naturally trade was attracted in that 
direction. Still later, when the S., B. & N. Y. railroad was built along 



THE TOWN OF LISLE. 689 

the Tioiighnioga, the ambitions of Yorkshire residents were destroyed, 
at least so far as concerned the idea of making their settlement the 
principal village of the township. The hamlet is pleasantly located on 
Yorkshire creek, and in the early history of the region it was a place of 
considerable importance. At one time its inhabitants numbered about 
200, but during the last twenty years the number has gradually de- 
clined. 

In 1865 the business men of Yorkshire were Lewis S. Smith, mer- 
chant, tanner and lumberman; R. Rood, lumberman; J. W. Tabor, 
blacksmith ; H. M. McNeil, lumberman and manufacturer of sash, doors 
and planed lumber. Among the factors in Centre Lisle history during 
the last twenty-five 3'ears, there may be recalled the names of James 
Haskins, M. H. Lewis, Fay Woodruff, P. H. Lusk, A. S. Manning, O.F. 
Pinckney, H. H . Rowland, L. S. Smith and James Moreland. Present 
business interests are represented by H. H. Rowland, P. H Lusk and 

A. J. Clute, merchants, and the sheepskin tannery owned by Rockwell 
& Co. of New York, and operated by James Moreland. It employs 
from 15 to 20 workmen, and is an enterprise of more than passing im- 
portance in the town. The village also contains the Congregational 
and Methodist Episcopal churches, and the school house of District 
No. 9. 

Supervisors. — (The early records furnish meager data regarding the 
succession of town officers, hence the appended list is taken from county 
records, beginning with 1849): Ebenezer Benedict, 1849-50; Mason 
Wattles, 1851; George W. Randall, 1852-53; Ira Lynde, 1854; Marcena 
Gleason, 1855; Almond A. Smith, 1856; Solomon J. Northrup, 1857; 
Walters. Peck, 1858; Rorace Lathrop, 1859-60; Albert A. Rotchkiss, 
1861-62; Martin S. Clarke, 1863-64; Solomon J. Northrup, 1865; Will- 
iam B. Edwards 1866-67; Andrew S. Manning, 1868-69; Stephen D. 
Pratt, 1870; Martin S.Clark, 1871-72; N. R. Burghardt, 1873-74; James 

B. Rowland, 1875-76; Ira S.Cook, 1877-78; Alonzo D. Lewis, 1879-80; 
Ashley Williams, 1881-82; Rarry J. Wattles, 1883; Cornelius M. Lusk, 
1884-85; Oscar F. Pinckney, 1886-87; James B. Rowland, 1888--89; 
Ashley Williams, 1890-91; Frederick J. Inderlied, 1892; Harry J. Wat- 
tles, 1893; Robert Forbes, 1894-95; Fred. J. Inderlied, 1896-98; Reman 
H. Rowland, 1899. 

The officers of the town in 1899 are Reman R. Rowland, supervisor; 
Milo C. Paige, town clerk; Dwight French, M. C. Allen and Ashley 
Williams, justices of the peace; Clayton D. Lamb, J. Carver Gleason and 
44 



690 THE TOWN OF BINGHAMTON. 

George Couch, overseers of the poor; Hiram W. Leach, highway com- 
missioner; Carley Smith and J. Wilson Livermore, overseers of the 
poor; Bertie Marks, collector. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 
THE TOWN OF BINGHAMTON. 

On December 3, 1855, the board of supervisors passed a resolution to 
divide the town of Chenango, and from its territory to create two new 
towns — Binghamton and Port Crane (Fenton). The action of the su- 
pervisors was confirmed by an act of the legislature passed in 1856, 
upon which the new jurisdictions were duly organized and thus were 
added to the civil divisions of the county. 

The town of Binghamton as originally established included the ter- 
ritory of the town now so called, the town of Dickinson, and the city 
of Binghamton ; but like many other important divisions of the county 
Binghamton was subsequently called upon to surrender much of its 
best territory to other formations. The village of Binghamton re- 
mained a part of the mother territory until 1867, when it became a 
chartered city, and therefore was entirely separated from the town, al- 
though almost entirely surrounded with the town's territory. In many 
repects the separation of the city from the town was advantageous to 
the latter, as nearly all the important offices were always filled by resi- 
dents of the corporation, to the prejudice and exclusion of the town, 
whose claims rarely were recognized in the distribution of political 
plums. 

After the city was set off, the boundaries of the town remained prac- 
tically unchanged until an extension of the city limits in 1890 made 
necessary the creation of a new town on the north side of Bingham- 
ton. The extension of the limits entirely divided the town, to the 
great inconvenience of the inhabitants of the latter; and the creation 
of the town of Dickinson in 1890 became a necessity. Within its 
original boundaries, exclusive of the city's area, the town contained 
24,100 acres of land. At the present time, having been reduced by 
the constant enlargements of the city and the creation of Dickinson, 



THE TOWN OF BINGHAMTON. 



691 



the town contains 15,955 acres of land, and extends from the city 
limits south to the Pennsylvania line. 

Settlement in this part of the county was through some cause de- 
layed until nearly all the available lands in other localities had been 
taken and improved. Ezra and Ira Keeler were settlers on the tract 
previous to 1800, but they were in possession without title. In later 
years squatters came in and made some feeble attempt at improve- 
ment, but having no title and not finding an agent from whom to 
purchase, they merely made the best of a temporary res'dence and 
got from the land the best crops obtainable without the outlay either 
of money or energy in permanent improvements. The locality 
abounded in splendid forest growths, which the squatters did not 
spare, therefore when Major Martin Hawley determined to develop 
the lands and bring them into market he met with many discour- 
agements. Major Hawley became owner of 2,500 acres of land in the 
south part of the town, making his first purchase in 1829, when the 
region was practically unoccupied, except by a few remaining squat- 
ters. The major moved to the tract in 1833, and soon had several 
hundred acres under profitable cultivation, and as well maintained a 
dairy of fifty cows, thus disproving the assertions that the lands were 
poor and unfit for occupancy. In 1839 Major Hawley returned to 
Binghamton, but he had the satisfaction to realize that his lands were 
suitable for agricultural purposes and that they were being settled with 
a thrifty and industrious class of men. 

Among the early settlers in this part of the town may be recalled the 
names of William Drake, who came from Duchess county about 1820; 
John Whitney, a respected pioneer, who came about 1818; David Jay- 
cox, who came from Duchess county about 1836; Carlos Cortesy, who 
settled here in 1858, and who afterward removed to the city; Isaac F. 
Pierson, who came in 1858, and at one time owned more than 1,000 
acres of land in the town; Ashley and Augustus Hance, who came in 
1863 from Pennsylvania; Henry Howard, who came thirty years ago; 
Cyrus Davis, who came in 1855; Jacob Vosburg, 1847; and others 
whose names are now lost. Other prominent persons in the town of 
Binghamton were (and are) John Moses, Peter J. S. Cook, Eugene Stern- 
berg, Frederick Sanford, James S. Hawley, Dr. Joseph M. Gandolfo, 
William Danforth, Henry and Eli S. Meeker, the several representa- 
tives of the Gaige family, the Prentices, Ingrahams, the Balcoms, the 
Sherwoods, the Caddens, the Clines, the Platts, the Carmans, the Wil- 



692 THE TOWN OF BINGHAMTON. 

burs, the Laughlins, the Moreys, and others. Through the efforts of 
these persons and their descendants the town of Binghamton has be- 
come an important division of the county. 

Organization. — The act by which the town was brought into exist- 
ence directed that the first town meeting be held in the village, under 
the supervision of Benjamin N. Loomis, Corydon Tyler and William 
M. Waterman, which was done. The more important officers were 
chosen from the village, and this practice was continued until the city 
was chartered in 1867. Then the town practically was set free. 

The supervisors of the town, in succession, have been as follows: 
John S.Wells, 1856; Lewis S. Abbott, 1857; Job N. Congdon, 1858-9. 
Joel Fuller, 1860; Benj. F. Sisson, 1861; Austin W. Tyler, 1862-3; 
Francis T. Newell, 1864-6; John W. Cutler, 1867; William M. Ely, 
1868-9; George Sherwood, 1870; William Whitney, 1871-3; John 
Moses, 1874; Peter J. S. Coon, 1875; Luke Dickson, 1876-78; William 
Whitney, 1879-80; Winneld S. Stone, 1881; Burritt Brown, 1882; My- 
ron L. Jones, 1883-8; Lavelle M. Blanding, 1889-90; William D. Row- 
ley, 1891-4; James Braman, 1895; Henry Meeker, 1896-7; William D. 
Rowley, 1898-9, 

In 1855 the town's population, including the village of Binghamton, 
was 8,757 persons. In 1860 the number was increased to 9,919, and in 
1865 to 10,093. In 1867 the city territory was set off, hence in 1870 the 
town's population was only 2,066; in 1885 was 2,598; in 1880 was 2,555; 
and in 1890, the city limits having been extended, the number of in- 
habitants in the town was reduced to 1,519. In the same year Dickinson 
was set off, and in 1892 Binghamton's population was only 784 persons. 

Schools. — On account of the frequent changes in the boundaries of 
the town, little that is reliable can be written of the public school sys- 
tem, except to say that many of the well-to-do farmers have always 
been in the habit of sending their sons and daughters to the city schools. 
The town now has six districts, each of which is provided with a good 
school house. According to the commissioner's report for the year 
ending July 11, 1899, there was apportioned to the town from the state 
public moneys the sum of $763,48, while the town raised by tax the 
sum of $942.68. During the year the amount paid to teachers was 
$1,327.10. The school census shov/ed 138 children in the town between 
the ages of 5 and 18 years. 

Hawleyton. — This is the only hamlet or trading center of any conse- 
quence in the town. It was named in allusion to Major Hawley, the 



THE TOWN OF NANTICOKE. cm 

real pioneer and developer of the lands of the locality, but his work 
was materially enlarged upon by that of James S. Hawley, whose name 
must not be forgotten in the history of the town. In 1845-G the Haw- 
leyton turnpike was laid out and opened, and in a measure replaced 
the old Montrose road of still earlier years, the latter being exceedingly 
hilly and rough. For more than forty years a store has been kept in 
the village, though not at any time have the business interests exceeded 
two or three in number. The old " Golden Rod " creamery, founded 
by L. M. Blanding, is no longer in operation, but in its place the Haw- 
lisyton Creamery Co. (incorporated) does business. The first cheese 
factory here was established by James S. Hawley, and the hamlet once 
was noted for the superiority of its cheese product. A saw mill, too, is 
one of the old interests of the place, but the mill now standing is not in 
operation. The merchants of the village are George Vosburg, suc- 
cessor to Clarence Sherman (the latter successor to Blanding & Betts), 
and Frank Sibley. The public institutions are the M, E. church and 
the school of District Number Four. 



CHAPTER XXX. 
THE TOWN OF NANTICOKE. 

This town was formed from Lisle, April 18, 1831, one of three new 
towns of the county created by the division of Lisle by an act of the 
legislature passed on the date mentioned. In area the town contains 
15,399 acres of land. Its name is of Indian derivation. It is one of 
the few towns of the county by which aboriginal names are preserved. 

Geographically, Nanticoke occupies a position in the northwestern 
portion of the county, and its north, west and south boundaries are 
quite irregular, indicating that in the early disposition of the land the 
settlers were allowed to select the town to which they preferred to be- 
long. The land surface is well watered and equally well drained by 
the branches and tributaries of Nanticoke creek, and is somewhat 
broken by a few narrow ravines. The highest altitudes are from 100 
to 300 feet above the level of Chenango river, and from 1,200 to 1,400 
feet above tide water. The soil generally is a slaty loam, underlaid 



694 THE TOWN OF NANTICOKE. 

with hardpan, yet Nanticoke for many years has been regarded as one 
of the productive agricultural towns of the county. More than that, its 
inhabitants, from the days of earliest settlement, have been counted 
among the hardy and substantial men of the region The town for 
years has been safely in the Republican column, yet in the distribution 
of political affairs it has not received its full share of reward. 

The pioneer of Nanticoke was Philip Councilman, who in 1793 located 
on the site of Glen Aubrey and founded what in later years was known 
as the " Councilman settlement." Among the earliest representatives 
of the family in the town were Philip, the pioneer, Philip, jr., Peter, 
Henry and John Councilman, from whom have descended all the later 
generations of the surname in the region, and among whom have been 
some of the best men of the county. The pioneer opened his farm and 
paid for it with the earnings of his trusty rifle, for he was a trapper and 
hunter of more than ordinary fame. Closely following upon the settle- 
ment made by Philip Councilman, came John Ames, John Beachtle and 
James Stoddard, the two first mentioned from Luzerne county. Pa., and 
Mr. Stoddard from Connecticut. Betsey Stoddard, daughter of James, 
was the first white child born in Nanticoke, the date of the event being 
1794. The first death was that of Mrs. Bird, a sister of James Stoddard's 
wife. 

The lands of Nanticoke evidently did not meet with ready sale in the 
markets of the east, owing to their remote locality and an impression 
that got abroad to the effect that the land was not specially fertile; but 
when their productiveness became known, settlers came rapidly and 
soon found themselves as forehanded as their neighbors of adjoining 
towns. Among the early settlers was Isaac Lamb, for whom Lamb's 
Corners is named, and who came in 180-4. Silas Hemingway came 
from Orange county in 1814 and settled south of the locality once known 
as " J.iphet Hollow." 

The hollow was so-named for Stephen Japhet, who located here dur- 
ing the early years of the century, and who bore an unsavory reputa- 
tion among the scattered settlers. No crimes were laid at Japhet's 
door, but he and his companions were a wild, roving set, little inclined 
to industry of any sort, and therefore the good housewife naturally as- 
sumed that they were greatly to be avoided, and so taught her children. 
The Japhets, however, did not remain long in the locality. James L. 
Hyde, J. Walter, Jesse Lane, George Cook, Albert A. Wilson, Elijah 
Butler (for whom Butler's Corners was named), Thomas Horton, Sam- 



THE TOWN OF NANTICOKE. 695 

uel Phipps, Frederick S. Grig:gs, Chas. Brookens, James Lamb, Aurora 
Brayman, Hiram Rogers, Mason Adams, Corelli Cady, Henry Hodges, 
James G. Hall and Vincent Marean were early and prominent settlers 
in the town, although none of them was among the pioneers. 

In the same manner, having passed the period of pioneership and 
early settlement, it is proper to recall the names of men and heads of 
families in the town, who by their works became entitled to mention 
among the factors in Nanticoke history. In this connection there may 
be recalled the names of Samuel Canfield, A. N. Remele, Elijah R. 
Adams, John W. Adriance, Dwight T. Cad)-, George Dyer (who was 
highway commissioner, assessor and justice of the peace), De Ronda 
Edwards (born in Nanticoke; a soldier of the war of 1861-65), John H. 
Green (several times supervisor), Isaac T. Lamb, Ellis H. Morgan (an 
old merchant and postmaster at Lamb's Corners), Noah Pollard, Will- 
iam C. Pollard, Marcus E. Rigby, Charles C. Smith, Phelon E. and Ed- 
win P. Sutphen, L. D. Tyler, Charles J. Walter (born in Nanticoke in 
1837), and B. F. Walter. All of these persons have been (and some 
still are) identified with the best interests of the town, and are worthy 
of mention in these annals. 

Organization. — Notwithstanding the slow growth of the town during 
the early years of the century, a division of the territory in 1831 be- 
came necessary for the convenience and well being of the inhabitants 
of Lisle, hence the passage of the act mentioned on a preceding page, 
and the creation of the towns of Nanticoke, Barker and Triangle from 
the mother town. The act provided that the first town meeting in 
Nanticoke should be held at the house of Philip Councilman, which 
was done, and the following town officers then were elected: 

Supervisor, N. Remele; town clerk, H B Stoddard; justices of the 
peace, Silas Hemingway, H. B. Stoddard, David Councilman, Charles 
Brookens; overseers of the poor, Samuel Canfield, John Councilman; 
highway commissioners, F. S. Griggs, H.Walter, James Lamb; commis- 
sioners of common schools, F. S. Griggs, A. N. Remele, J. L. Smith; 
assessors, Charles Brookens, Hiram Rogers, Silas Hemingway; collec- 
tor, Philip Councilman. 

After the organization of the town the population increased more 
rapidly than in earlier years. In 1835 the inhabitants numbered 295; 
1840, 418; 1845, 479: 1850, 576; 1855, 819; 1860, 797; 1865, 972; 1870, 
1,058; 1875, 1,053; 1880, 999; 1890, 723; 1892, 698. 

From this it is seen that the present number of inhabitants is less 



696 THE TOWN OF NANTICOKE. 

than in 18G0. This decrease is attributable to the same conditions 
which have caused a decline in population in nearly all interior towns 
in this part of the state. Nanticoke once enjoyed a prominence as a 
lumbering town, but with the clearing away of the forests the only re- 
maining mainstay of the inhabitants was general agriculture. Fortun- 
ately, the town contains large areas of excellent farming lands, while 
grazing and cattle raising have been staple industries for many years. 
In 1835 the town contained 1,619 acres of improved and 11,090 acres 
of unimproved land. Statistics show that in the year mentioned the farm- 
ers of Nanticoke owned 192 neat cattle, 70 horses, 384 sheep and 212 
swine. During the year there was made in the town 272 yards of fulled 
cloth, 459 yards of flannel and 1,182 yards of linen and cotton cloths. 
Then there were five saw mills but no grist mills in operation in the 
town. 

VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. 

Nanticoke Springs. — About the year 1835, Nathan Cad well developed 
a valuable mineral spring on his land, about a mile west of Lamb's Cor- 
ners; and being a shrewd Yankee descendant, he set to work and built 
a large boarding house for the guests who always are ready to flock to 
any watering place or mineral spring. This enterprise on the part of 
Mr. Cadwell led to a hamlet settlement, and in the vicinity a camping 
ground was soon afterward established. But in the course of time 
Nanticoke springs began to lose prestige, though the superior qualities 
of the water never were doubted. The boarding house passed through 
several owners, and finally was burned about 18G5. About 1860 the 
post-office was removed from the springs to Lamb's Corners (now Nan- 
ticoke) and thereafter the old settlement was doomed to decay. 

Nanticoke. — The original name of this hamlet was Lamb's Corners, 
so-called in honor of Isaac Lamb, who made the first settlement here 
in 1804. The village did not attract special attention until about 1855 
or 1860, when a trading center was established and the post-oflfice was 
removed there from the springs. Since that time one or two good 
stores, a saw and a grist mill generally have been in operation. Ellis 
H. Morgan, L. D. Tyler, Washington Johnson, E. E. Monroe, Warren 
Gee and George Littlewood were among the more prominent factors in 
the early history of the place. The last twenty years, however, have 
witnessed many changes in Lamb's Corners. About ten years ago the 
name was changed to Nanticoke. Mr. Morgan's general store now is a 



THE TOWN OF NANTICOKE. 697 

feed store. In 1892 Mr. Tyler was succeeded by W. D. Fuller, the lat- 
ter now being the principal merchant of the town. Washington John- 
son's saw and grist mills were taken down after the dam across the 
creek was washed away by the high water. The Monroe mill was 
burned in the spring of 1898, and was rebuilt by E. Green, the present 
owner. George Littlewood started a cheese factory in 1882. It now is 
operated by F. J. Doane. 

At the present time the village contains about twenty houses and 100 
residents. The business interests are represented by W. D. Fuller, gen- 
eral store; E. H. Morgan, feed store; Anson Russell, grocery; F. J. 
Doane, cheese factory, and a new saw and shingle mill. The public in- 
stitutions are the district school and the Methodist Episcopal and Bap- 
tist churches. 

Glen Aubrey is a small hamlet of a few houses situate about two miles 
from Nanticoke, and is in the southeast part of the town. O. E. Couse, 
Nelson Swan, William H. Riley, Jackson Dyer and Charles A. Sly were 
among the early prominent factors in the history of the settlement. 
The Dyer store is now a Grange hall. Arthur B. Riley is proprietor of 
the store formerly kept by Wm. H. Riley. A creamery is maintained 
here, and now is under the ownership of Wells & Corwin. The public 
institutions are the district school and the M. E. and Baptist churches. 
On the highway leading from Glen Aubrey to Whitney's Point is a saw 
mill and creamery, owned by Duane Barnes. 

Schools. — There was little attempt to establish school districts in this 
part of Union previous to the creation of Lisle from the former town. 
Under the Lisle jurisdiction a regular system was established, and good 
schools afterward were maintaind. In 1832, after Nanticoke became a 
separate town, the districts were reorganized to suit the new conditions. 
In 1835 the territory comprised five districts; 120 children were attend- 
ing school, and the number of children of school age then living in the 
town was about 90. In 1899 (and as now disposed) the town contained 
eight districts, one of which had no school house in this county. The 
school census showed 150 children of school age in the town. In that 
year there was apportioned to the town from the state public school 
moneys the sum of $779.99, while the sum of $870.52 was raised for 
the benefit of schools by local tax. The amount paid teachers was 
$1,480.85. 



698 THE TOWN OF COLESVILLE. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

THE TOWN OF COLESVILLE. 

This town, formed from Windsor, April 2, 1821, contains 47,179 acres 
of land, and in area ranks third among the towns of Broome county. 
It comprises portions of Watts', Hammond's and Smith's patents, and 
a part of the Harpur tract, but the boundary lines of these several pat- 
ents do not appear to have influenced the action of whoever was in 
authority when the town was laid out; nor has there been offered any 
reasonable explanation regarding the irregular outline of the town, un- 
less the individual preference of each inhabitant was taken into con- 
sideration. 

Colesville is bounded north by Delaware county, east by Sanford and 
Delaware county, south by Windsor and a small part of Sanford, and 
west by Fenton. In the county the town occupies a northeastern posi- 
tion. Its principal watercourse is the Susquehanna river, which crosses 
the town from north to south and also forms a part of its southern 
boundary. The land surface consists principally of a high broken upland, 
divided into two parts by the deep valley of the river. The summits 
vary in height from 400 to 700 feet above the valley. The soil along 
the river is a deep, fertile, gravelly loam, while on the summits it con- 
sists of clay and slate, and is much better adapted to grazing than to 
general cultivation. 

The pioneer of Colesville was John Lamphere, who settled here in 
1785, locating near the site of Harpursville. Pioneer Lamphere died in 
1788, that being the first death in the town. His widow married Ben- 
jamin Bird in 1794, the first event of its kind in Colesville. Thus it is 
seen that the names of John Lamphere and his wife were associated 
with several "first events," yet the pioneers themselves have few rep- 
resentatives now in the town or county. Samuel and Nathaniel Badger 
and Casper Spring came here in 1786 and settled on the site of Har- 
pursville. The Badger surname has since been continued in the town, 
and some of its representatives are among the foremost men of the lo- 



THE TOWN OF COLESVILLE. 



G99 



cality. David Gurnsey and his family came from Litchfield, Conn., in 
1788, hence was an early as well as greatly respected settler. 

Nathaniel Cole the pioneer of Cole's hill, came here in 1795, and 
afterward attained a standing of much prominence in the locality. In 
his honor the town was named Colesville. Vena Cole, a kinsman of 
Nathaniel, came about the same time, or perhaps a year or two later. 
Jedediah (more familiarly called "Jed") Merchant and Bateman Dick- 
inson also settled on Cole's hill in 1795, but Dickinson soon afterward 
located on the river below Center Village. Among the other early set- 
tlers in the vicinity of Cole's hill, all of whom were located there about 
1795, were David Crofut, Titus Humiston, John Ruggles and Isaac 
Tyrrell. Descendants of nearly all of these pioneers are still living in 
the town or county. 

Robert Harpur (the name is spelled Harpur and Harper), proprietor 
of the Warren township patent, which included about 61,000 acres, and 
he for whom Harpursville was named, left the office of secretary of 
state in 1795 and came to live on and develop his vast tract of land in 
what is now this town. Some authorities state that Mr. Harpur came 
as early as 1787, which belief arose from the fact that the proprietor 
may have visited the land as early as that year. Mr, Harpur was an 
Irishman by birth, and came to America in 1761. At one time he was 
one of the professors in Kings (now Columbia) college, but he attained 
still greater prominence as a member of the convention of 1776 that 
framed the first constitution of this state; was one of the deputies of 
New York to the provincial congress of 1776 and '77; a member of the 
council of safety in 1777; member of assembly from 1777 to 1783; was 
secretary of the board of regents in 1784, and regent in the same year. 
Unquestionably Robert Harpur was the most distinguished pioneer 
who honored Broome county with a residence. He died in 1825, but 
his surname was worthily represented in the county in later years. 

It is related that on one occasion, being somewhat pressed for time 
and having no male agent at hand, Mr. Harpur sent one Peggy Lud- 
low, a woman, to supervise the erection of a grist mill on his tract; and 
it is further stated that the good woman proved an efficient agent and 
caused the construction of a substantial bulling. 

Through the Harpur proprietary much of the land on the tract was 
settled and opened for permanent cultivation. Among the settlers who 
came to this locality through that agency may be recalled the names of 
Jacobus Vosburg, who came in 1795 ; Ezra Pratt, who came about 1800, 



700 THE TOWN OF COLESVILLE. 

and whose descendants are now in the town ; Frederick Shafer, who 
located opposite Harpursville on the river about the same year; David 
Way, who came in 1801, and who was the father of Albert, Harvey and 
Hiram Way, the two first mentioned being afterward prominently con- 
nected with Binghamton history; Isaac Tyrrell, whose family name is 
still known in the county; Henry Thompson, an early storekeeper; 
Rufus Fancher, and others. 

Other early settlers in what is now Colesville, who may be mentioned 
without special reference to location, were Linus Allen (180G), Israel 
Williams (1800, an old Revolutionary soldier, who served under General 
Washington), Bartholomew Williams (who came from Connecticut pre- 
vious to 1800), Zebediah Chaffee (whose name is still well known in 
Colesville and Windsor), Levi Manville (whose son Levi was a colonel 
in the war of 1861-G5), William Scouten (a young man who lived with 
pioneer Harpur), Tenas Smith (1815), Jesse Marsh, Harry Martin, John 
Collington (a Vermonter who came in 1815), Joshua Baker, John An- 
drews, Charles Stringham, John Davenport, Ahimaaz Estes, Rev. Will- 
iam Way (familiarly known as Rev. " Billy "), Henry Wilder, Amos 
Wedge, Alvin Holcomb, Seth and Lyman Whitaker (who acquired 
more than 600 acres of land), and Isaac Hurlburt. 

Nearly all the settlers who have been recalled in the preceding para- 
graphs were farmers and incidentally were lumbermen until their lands 
were cleared. However, among the early residents of the locality were 
many whose principal occupation was lumbering, for this region of the 
county was once noted for its heavy forest growths. Indeed, many of 
the best farms of the town were paid for with money earned in lumber- 
ing and rafting. The Susquehanna afforded a ready means for ship- 
ping lumber and logs to market, and fortunes were gained in the lum- 
bering trade. However, the names of the owners of the first saw mills 
except Robert Harpur, Col. Mason, and a few others, are now unknown, 
but among those of later days, before the industry was abandoned, 
were Warren Doolittle, Nathan Mayhew, Peter Quick, Ansel Thurber, 
John Hendrickson, John Freeman, Barton Pratt, John Wakeman, Sam- 
uel Pratt, Ephraim Northcutt, Edwin North, Joel Morse, John Wiley, 
and perhaps others whose names are now forgotten. Among the early 
prominent lumbermen of the town, who carried on business on an ex- 
tensive scale, were Samuel Badger,' Leman Mason, Jeremiah Rogers, 

» Samuel Badger also built a grist mill at Center Village, where a mill ever since has been 
standing. Its later owners were Asel Barnes, Uri Doolittle, George Freeman, J. T. Peck and 
William Wedge. 



THE TOWN OF COLESVILLE. 701 

Warren Harpur and Judson Allen. The first dam across the river in 
Colesville was built by Dr. Little in 1810. The earliest grist mills in 
this region were on the Windsor side of the river, but after the lands 
here were settled similar enterprises sprung up on the Colesville side. 
Ezra Pratt had an early grist mill at New Ohio; Isaac Higby had one 
at Osborne Hollow; George Addis had one on upper Osborne Hollow 
creek. One of the earliest grist mills was run by Isaac Gano, while the 
Whitakers— John, William and Joseph— were owners of an early mill at 
Osborne Hollow. 

In wi iting of the early history of the town, it is proper that the names 
of the soldiers of the Revolution, who afterward came here to live, 
should also be especially mentioned. It is not claimed that the follow- 
ing list is full or complete, but it is believed to be reasonably accurate. 
According to the records of Tuscarora chapter, D. A. R., the survivors 
of the Revolution who settled in Colesville were Joshua Baker, Samuel 
Badger, Nathaniel Cole, Joel Curtis, Edmund Kattle, James Knox, Le- 
man Mason, Eli Nichols, Caleb Nourse, Ashbel Osborne, James Osborne 
and Israel Williams. 

Among the later factors in Colesville history, some of whom were 
early settlers or their descendants, and others more recent comers, may 
be mentioned ths names of James P. and Henry M. Abbott (father and 
son). Dr. Jas. D Appley, Bennett B. Allen, Egbert A. Baker, Dr. H. F. 
Beardsley (now ol:" Bingharaton), Aaron G. Beman (father of Elbert A. 
Beman, of Binghamton), Dr. John W. Booth, Riley Bush (for many 
years one of the county's most prominent men), Dr. Andrew J. Butler, 
Belden B. Badger (merchant and supervisor several years), James A. 
Chaffee (born in Colesville 1812), George Collington (a Vermonter by 
birth), Edgar Doolittle (descendant of one of Windsor's pioneers), Jo- 
seph D. Comstock (afterward a noted lawyer and journalist), James 
Davidson, John Davenport, John P. Dye (who died in 187G), Shervin F. 
Estes (a soldier of 1861-5, and a prominent man in subsequent town 
history), John W. Flansburg, William M. Francis, Darius Ferris (na- 
tive of Broome county). James Fuller, David B. Gurnsey (the oldOua- 
quaga postmaster). Dr. Ezekiel Guy, Joseph W. Hobbs (whose carriage 
manufacturing business in Nineveh was established in 1844; was con- 
tinued by the founder until 1868, and then was transferred to his sons, 
Geo. W. and Charles Hobbs, the present proprietors), Isaac A. 
Hurlburt (born in 1833), George A. Holcomb (born 1837), William 
Laughlin (settled in Colesville, 1852), Horace W. McCullough, Levi 



702 THE TOWN OF COLESVILLE. 

Manville, jr., (native of the town, born, 1814), Warren E. Martin (the 
old Harpursville merchant), Maurice O. Marsh (the old supervisor), 
Edwin Northrup, E. H. Odell (merchant), Charles Pease (hotel keeper 
and frequently town officer), Angus S. Reynolds, George Robinson, 
Stanley J. Skinner, Charles H. Stringham (native of the town), Daniel 
S. Seward, Charles S. Smith (of the firm of Smith & Webster, successors 
to Edgerton & Bush), Hiram Smith (a native of Vermont), Silas B. Ter- 
williger (native of Chenango; a former resident and town official in 
Vestal, and once proprietor of the Ouaquaga mills), John Warner (an 
extensive farmer), Henry J. Warner, Lorenzo E. Way (born in Coles- 
ville, 1820), John Watrous (settled in Colesville, 1834), Amos Wedge, 
Seth J. Whitaker (a large farmer), H. S. Williams (lawyer and surveyor), 
Henry B. Williams (born in Colesville, 1808), and Addison S. Wilder 
(born in Colesville, 1821). 

It is believed that in preceding paragraphs the principal factors in 
in Colesville history have been mentioned. Not all of them now live 
in town, but some still are here and are yet engaged in various useful 
pursuits. Many are now dead, but the vacant places have been taken 
by their descendants, and through their efforts in business life Coles- 
ville still enjoys the reputation long ago established as one of the first 
towns in the county. From the town there has been chosen to posi- 
tions of trust some of the best county officials, and a number of the 
residents have in like manner been elected to still higher places in pub- 
lic life. 

Organization. — In 1820 the territory comprising the town contained 
an aggregate of about 1,500 inhabitants, therefore it was only natural 
that a separate organization be effected for the convenience and welfare 
of residents in this part of Windsor. The act creating the town was 
passed by the legislature April 2, 1821, and the first town meeting was 
held at the house of Nathaniel Cole (for whom the town itself was 
named) in 1822. The early records of Colesville, unfortunately, were 
burned many years ago, and thus was also lost one of the writer's most 
fertile sources of authority. The officers elected at the first town meet 
ing were as follows: 

Supervisor, John W. Harpur; town clerk, Daniel Sanford; assessors, 
Ozias Marsh, Harvey Bishop, Gervais Blakeslee ; overseers of the poor, 
Nathaniel Cole, jr., Elisha Huntington; commissioners of highways, 
Amos Smith, Alpheus Goodenough, Daniel Sanford; collector, John 
Wasson; commissioners of common schools, John W. Harpur, Jeremiah 



THE TOWN OF COLESVILLE. 



703 



Rogers, Harvey Bishop; inspectors of schools, Harvey Martin, Garry 
Ruggles, Joel K. Noble; trustees of the gospel and school lands,George 
Wilcox, Samuel Badger, Samuel Martin ; sealer of weights and meas- 
ures, Ira Bunnell; constables, John Wasson, Geoige Wilcox. 

The supervisors of Colesville since 1849 (the earlier records are de- 
stroyed) have been as follows: Timothy Ruggles, 1849; Riley Bush 
1850; Timothy Ruggles, 1851; no record 1852; Mulfo'rd Northrup 
1853; Hurd F. Brownson, 1854; Riley Bush, 1855; Wiley H. Scott 
1856; Riley Bush, 1857-8; Fred H. Perry, 1859; Franklin Edgerton 
1860-61; Robert G. Harpur, 1862-5; H. P. Bush, 1860; Edvvard F 
Northrup, 1867; Warren E. Martin, 1868-9; Edward Harper, 1870 
Martin Ruggles, 1871; Edward Harpur, 1872; Abram Becker, 1873-4 
Martin Ruggles, 1875; Warren E. Martin, 1876; Dr. Harvey F. Beards 
ley, 1877-8; Maurice O. Marsh, 1879-83; Charles H. Stringham, 1884 
Maurice O. Marsh, 1885; Egbert A. Baker, 1886; Byron C. Barnum 
1887-8; Dr. John W. Booth, 1889; Elijah Roe, 1890; George N. Weed 
1891-2; BeldenB. Badger, 1893-1900. 

Population. — Colesville has been long noted for the substantial char- 
acter both of its interests and its population, and while the last three- 
quarters of a century has witnessed many changes in the town, the 
population was remained stable, a condition rarely seen among the 
towns of interior New York. However, let us have recourse to the 
census documents, and thereby note the growth of the town as indi- 
cated by the printed reports. In 1825 the population was 1,774; 1830, 
2,389; 1835,2,230; 1840, 2,517; 1845, 2,829; 1850,3,061; 1855, 3,135; 
1860, 3,250; 1865, 3,202; 1870, 3,400; 1875, 3,322; 1880, 3,208; 1890, 
3,126; 1895, 3,065. 

Thus it is seen that the maximum population was attained in 1870, 
the inhabitants numbering 3,400, and that since that time there has 
been a gradual though not serious falling off in the number. While 
agricultural pursuits in Colesville, as in other towns, have received very 
little encouragement during the last thirty year.s, the people there have 
suffered from prevailing causes in a less degree than in many other 
towns similarly situated. 

At the present time Colesville is classed as an agricultural town, and 
as such in point of productiveness it ranks high among the civil divis- 
ions of the county. In the early history of the town nearly every 
owner of land was a lumberman in connection with his regular occupa- 
tion as farmer. Lumbering as a special industry ceased with the dev- 



704 THE TOWN OF COLESVILLE. 

astation of the forests about thirty-five years ago, yet to a limited ex- 
tent the pursuit ever since has been carried on. It is now more than 
twenty five since a single large log or lumber raft was sent down the 
Susquehanna from this town or from the adjoining town in Windsor. 

In 1835 the town contained 10,000 acres of improved and more than 
32,000 acres of unimproved land, much of the latter being primeval 
forest. At that time there were twenty-two saw mills in operation. 
The other industries of the town were three grist mills, two fulling 
mills, two carding mills and four tanneries. In 1838 the town also 
contained 483 men who were enrolled as liable to military duty. (Twen- 
ty years later Colesville was called upon to contribute its best men for 
military service, and royally did the people respond.) In the same 
year also the inhabitants owned 1,794 head of neat cattle, 518 horses, 
5,2G8 sheep, and 1,256 swine. There was manufactured in the town 
during that year 4,378 yards of fulled cloth, 4,451 yards of flannel, and 
5,544 yards of linen and cotton cloths. In connection with this indus- 
trial period in the town's history, many internal improvements were 
accomplished. In 1821 Samuel Badger and Uri Doolittle were author- 
ized to construct a dam across the river at the " hemlock rift." On 
April 17, 1828, the Colesville Bridge company was incorporated, with 
authority to erect a toll bridge across the river, at or near the "Fish 
place." The leading spirits of the enterprise were John W. Harpur, 
Thomas Blakeslee, Hezekiah Stowell, Judson Allen, Samuel Badger 
and Jeremiah Rogers. The Harpursville Bridge company was incor- 
porated April 9, 1838, and was authorized to build a toll bridge "be- 
tween Robert Harpur's grist mill and J. Warren Harpur's distillery." 
The promoters of this measure were Robert Harpur, Judson Allen, 
Thomas Blakeslee, David Wilcox and Henry H. Shaffer. The Susque- 
hanna Bridge company was incorporated April 12, 1842, for the purpose 
of constructing a bridge across the river between the lands owned by 
Samuel Doolittle and JoVn Lackey. The persons prominently con- 
nected with this undertaking were Hiram Blakeslee, Jonathan T. Was- 
son, David Bartow, Jonas Abbott, Nathaniel Noble, John Freeman, 
Samuel Doolittle, Freeman Putnam and William Doolittle. Such of 
these old structures as were built were maintained for several years, 
but at length their owners were compelled to yield to the popular de- 
mand for " free bridges," upon which the town became the owner and 
the toll-gate charges were abolished. 

Schools. — Previous to the creation of Colesville the common school 



THE TOWN OF COLESVILLE. 



rorj 



system was a part of the older town of Windsor. In 1822 both school 
commissioners and inspectors were elected, as provided by law, and un- 
der the direction of those officers the new town was divided into ten 
whole and four fractional districts. In 1838 the number of districts 
had increased to 20, and the number of children of school age in the 
town was 6*57. The amount of pubhc moneys received in that year was 
$382.33. 

According to the present arrangement, Colesville comprises 33 dis- 
tricts, 4 of which have no school house in the town. In 1899, as shown 
by the commissioners' report, the amount of state public money received 
was $3,212.33, while the town raised by tax for school purposes the sum 
of $4,690.73. During the year there was paid to teachers the sum of 
$7,038.93. School population 573; number of books in libraries, 527. 

VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. 

Colesville long has been known as a town of many villages, and in 
point of number in this respect it ranks first in the county, there being 
eleven hamlets and a like number of post-offices, yet none of these trade 
centers ever has become incorporated. Sanitaria Springs (formerly 
Osborne Hollow), New Ohio and Belden owe their existence entirely to 
the construction of the Albany and Susquehanna railroad, while much of 
the later-day importance of Nineveh is due to the same cause. How- 
ever, of each of these villages it is our purpose to briefly treat. 

Harpiirsville. — There appears to be a little uncertainty concerning 
the pioneer business men of this village, but according to the most re- 
liable information now obtainable, the distinction of having been the 
first merchant must be accorded either to Jeremiah Rogers, Henry 
Thompson or H, A. Olendorf, each of whom was a factor in local his- 
tory previous to 1830. Mr. Olendorf was identified with business his- 
tory from 1828 to 1882, a period of 54 years. Jesse Brown was a shoe- 
maker in the village previous to 1820, but old residents say that he 
"whipped the cat " throughout the township. Among the later busi- 
ness men and firms of Harpursville may be recalled the names of Rog- 
ers «& Vosburg, Allen, Olendorf & Ketchum, Ruggles & Ketchum, 
Ketchum & Monroe, Jeremiah Stowe, Edwin Ketchum, Bancroft & 
Martin, Martin Ruggles, J. E. Bristol, Barnes & Ruggles, Leverett 
Barnes, Pearsall & Pratt, Jesse Brown, J. Hurd & Sons, Hulburt & 
Brainard and P. A. Brainard. Other important factors in early and 
late business history were Judson Allen, Bartholomew Tyrrell, David 

45 



706 THE TOWN OF COLESVILLE. 

Stow, Matthias Merwin, C. M. & J. Richards (founders), John F. Bishop, 
John Ayres, Samuel Brown, Edward Moore. 

The old Badger saw mill was established almost as soon as the village 
itself, and for many years was a scene of constant activity. In later 
years it was owned by James B. Frazer, miller, cabinet maker and un- 
dertaker. The Tyrrell Brothers (L. A. & L. H. Tyrrell) built a steam 
saw mill here in 1864. Among the old landlords of Harpursville may 
be mentioned the names of Lemuel Badger, Edwin Northrup, Walker 
Cole, Harmon and George Tyrrell, Simeon Groat and John Bouck. 

In 1865 the business men of the village were about as follows: R. G. 
Harpur, farmer and revenue assessor; Warren E. Martin and J. Brown, 
general merchants; J. B. Frazier, insurance agent and cabinet maker; 
C. M. Richards, machinist and iron founder; C. Pratt, grocer; J. F. 
Bishop, blacksmith and wagon maker; E. Harper, land surveyor; J. 
Viney, cigar manufacturer; Dr. E. Guy, physician; W. G. Baker, 
butcher; W. L. Mudge& Co., insurance; L. A. Alexander & Son, black- 
smiths; J. J. Morse, proprietor Norcutt house; Asa Yager, blacksmith. 

The present business interests are the foundry and machine shop of 
Charles M. and George Richards; the saw mill and handle factory of 
Everett Lockwood; Arthur A. Mudge, general store; Wm. E. Knox, 
New York cash (variety) store; Willard Brown, fruits and groceries; 
Robert Stow, drugs; James E. Bristol, drugs and groceries; Jesse 
Brown, general store; The Harpursville Hardware Co., George and 
Willard Demaree, proprietors; George Roe, meat market; Eldorado 
House, Barney Smith, proprietor; Myrtle hotel, George White, pro- 
prietor. 

The public institutions comprise the Protestant Episcopal, Methodist 
Episcopal and Baptist churches, and the excellent graded school of 
district No. 4. 

Nineveh. — This settlement was established between 1820 and 1830, 
and although it was a place of considerable note in the early history of 
the town, its period of greatest commercial importance was not attained 
until after the construction of the Albany and Susquehanna railroad, 
with Nineveh the junction point of a road leading to Windsor and thence 
into Pennsylvania. The originally surveyed route of the New York & 
Lake Erie railroad lay through the settlement, and under the belief 
that Nineveh would become a village of considerable importance a 
party of Otsego county speculators, the Unadilla company, purchased 
much of the land in this vicinity. A part of the tract afterward passed 



THE TOWN OF COLESVILLE. 707 

into the hands of Edwin Northrup, and from him to Wiley H. Scott, 
both of whom were active factors in village history. Daniel Northrup 
came to Nineveh in 1833 and until 1844 was a hotel keeper. The first 
hotel was built in 1831 by Hezekiah Stowell and Peter Dickinson, and 
subsequently passed through many proprietorships. 

In addition to the persons mentioned the other factors in early Nine- 
veh history were Riley Bush, Mr. Tice, Mr. Butler (whose Christian 
names are forgotten), Reuben Lovejoy, Charles Pease, J. W. Hobbs, 
the Lovejoys, Franklin Edgerton, Hial Edgerton, E. C. Healy, Arthur 
Mudge, and others. The company that constructed the first toll bridge 
across the river at this point was chartered in 1828. Since that time a 
bridge (now free) has been maintained here. 

One of the most permanent business interests here was the wagon 
factory which was brought from Delhi in 1844 by J. W. Hobbs, a prac- 
tical mechanic by trade and a lawyer by profession. Mr. Hobbs, how- 
ever, devoted his attention more particularly to the manufacture of car- 
riages and wagons, and built up a business which has endured to the 
present time, although since 1868, it has been carried on by the sons of 
the founder. The work of J. W. Hobbs, and also of his sons, always 
was their best advertisement. 

In 1866 the business interests of Nineveh were represented as fol- 
lows: J. W. Hobbs, carriage maker, blacksmith and lawyer; P. Cham- 
plin, farmer; S. S. Doolittle, merchant and insurance agent; Riley 
Bush, farmer; Dr. E. Guy, physician; W. H. Scott, proprietor of Nin- 
eveh hotel. 

The present business interests comprise the carriage works of George 
W. and Charles Hobbs, the stores of S. S. Webster & Co. and Olendorf 
& Pearsall, one good hotel and the several small shops usually found in 
country villages. The public institutions are the Presbyterian and 
Methodist Episcopal churches and the school of District No. 15. 

Centre Village is a small and enterprising hamlet on the line of the 
railroad between Nineveh and Windsor, the village, however, being 
chiefly on the opposite side of the river from the railroad. The hamlet 
was founded more than half a century ago, though the post-office was 
not established until after 1850. Among the. early factors in Centre 
Village history were John Flansburgh, John Eldred (who opened a 
hotel here as early as 1832), David Wilcox (proprietor of the old fulling 
mill in 1838), Simon Harper (who had a distillery), Lewis Northrup 
(who built a tannery in 1860, and also was an early merchant), E. P. 



708 THE TOWN OF COLESVILLE. 

Northrup, Nelson Stow, William Tice, James A. Barnes, John Hurl- 
burt, Charles E. Marshall, Stow Bros., Tice & Weeks, John Martin, 
Tripp & Pierce, Solomon Weeks, William Houghtailing, Walker & Knox, 
Alonzo Haynes, Walter G. Baker, George W. Austin (the latter the 
present proprietor of the village hotel) and others whose names are 
now lost. 

In 1865 Centre Village had more and larger business interests than 
at the present time. Then John J. Wiles kept the " Centre Village ho- 
tel "; Lewis Northrup's tannery was in full operation; Neri Pine was a 
village blacksmith and also practiced law; J. A. S. Austin was a lawyer; 

C. H. Knox was a prominent farmer ; Martin & Whitham and also Pierce 
& Tripp were village merchants, and Warren Brown had a broom fac- 
tory. The present business men of the village are William Wedge, 
grist mill; George W. Austin, hotel; John W. Weeks and C. Martin, 
merchants. The village has two blacksmith shops and several other 
interests. 

Oiiaquaga is a small village of about 150 inhabitants, and is situated 
in the southern part of the town, on the Susquehanna river. The orig- 
inal name of Susquehanna was given to the post-office here, which was 
established in 1820 under the postmastership of John W. Harpur. The 
name was changed about 1860. Among the early postmasters were 
John W. Harpur, William Watrous, Peter Pine, William Doolittle, Sid- 
ney White, Lewis H. Tyrrell, Jeremiah Ketchum, Uri T. Doolittle and 

D. B. Gurnsey. The first store was started about 1823 by Uri Doolittle 
and Eli Pratt. Later merchants have been George M. and Uri T. Doo- 
little, Jerry Ketchum, Harley Doolittle, Belden B. Badger, William 
Francis and S. A. Wright. The three last mentioned merchants now 
are in trade. The grist mill, three blacksmith shops and a stock com- 
pany creamery, comprise the remaining business interests of the ham- 
let. Here also is a M. E. Church and a good district school. 

In 1865 the business interests of Ouaquago included J. & M. Ketch- 
um's store; M. S. Stow's rake factory, wool carding and cider mill; 
Uri T. Doolittle's grist mill and G. R. Ayres' blacksmith shop. 

Sanitaria Springs. — This hamlet, the original name of which was 
Osborne Hollow, is the iirst station in Colesville on the line of the A. & 
S. railroad north of Binghamton. Eli Osborne, for whom the place was 
named, was an early and prominent resident in this part of the town. 
Jedediah Bump, Hiram Coller, Ezekiel Andrews, Stephen, Daniel, John 
and Silas Reynolds, were also early residents in the vicinity. Isaac An- 



THE TOWN OF COLESVILLE. 



709 



drews opened a grocery store about 1854 and in the next year E. H. 
Odell began business as general merchant, adding to hi? interests a hotel 
property in 1858. Thus the hamlet was founded. Among the other 
and later factors in the history of the village were A. Everett, merchant, 
Emory Andrews and George Van Zile (owners of saw mills), Cornelius 
Reynolds, Daniel Chapman and Martin Strickland (blacksmiths), Isaac 
Craver (merchant), A. S. Reynolds, and a few others. The construc- 
tion of the A. & S. railroad, the erection of an oil pumping station, and 
of Dr. Kilmer's sanitarium, have given increased activity to the busi- 
ness interests of the place. As now situated, the village contains about 
twenty houses, two stores (Odell Bros, and James Jewett's), a hotel 
(Wm. Horton, propr.),one feed store (Cornelius Reynolds), the Kilmer 
sanitarium (in allusion to which institution the name of the village was 
changed to Sanitaria Springs), three blacksmith shops, the pumping 
station of the National Transit Co., a Methodist Episcopal church, and 
the school house of district No, 11. 

Belden. — A small hamlet north of Harpursville on the line of the A. 
& S. railroad, has one store (Kellogg's general store), a blacksmith shop 
and a Reformed Methodist church. 

Tunnel Station, a few miles above Sanitaria Springs on the line of 
the A. & S. railroad, has a hotel, blacksmith shop, a creamery and two 
good general stores, kept, respectively, by Charles Waters and David 
Moat. 

Vallonia Springs, a small village in the northeast corner of the town, 
has attracted considerable attention as a summer resort during the last 
ten years. The business interests here are not extensive, consisting of 
Tupper Bros, creamery, James Sands' general store, William Cass' saw 
mill, one blacksmith shop, and the Vallonia Springs house, a popular 
and well patronized hostelry under the proprietorship of James Sands. 
A Baptist church is located at this place. The post-office at Vallonia 
Springs was established previous to 1850. Judge Betts erected the first 
tavern in the settlement. 

Neiv Ohio, on the line of the railroad, was originally known as Hol- 
comb Settlement, in allusion to one of the early prominent families in 
that part of the town. This point became a trading center and had a 
store as early as 1835. A post-office, too, was established and was 
maintained there many years, but upon the eventual removal of the 
office tojTunnel, New Ohio gradually declined. Among the early resi- 
dents in this vicinity may be recalled the names of the Holcombs, Elisha 



710 THE TOWN OF MAINE. 

Kasson, Aaron Beman, David Waters and John Watrous. About 1830 
John Wiley and Elijah Church started a saw mill here, and George Miller 
was a very early blacksmith. A Methodist church was founded here in 
1825. 

Doraville is a small post station on the railroad about two miles south 
of Centre Village. The post-office was for many years kept in the 
house of Samuel Doolittle, an early settler. The hamlet now has a M. 
E. church and a post-office. 

North Colesville is a post-office in the extreme* northern part of the 
town. The hamlet now has a grange store, kept by Albert Waters, a 
blacksmith shop and a M. E. church. 

West Colesville is a post station in the southeast part of the town, 
in the locality where a Baptist church, which still stands, was founded 
in 1846, and where William Laughlin started a blacksmith and wagon 
repair shop in 1852. In the course of time a hamlet sprung up and a 
store was opened. At the present time the place has two merchants, 
George Woodward and Philo Clark, and a blacksmith shop. 

Colesville, a settlement named for the town, formerly existed near the 
geographical center of the township, but with the gradual growth of 
the other centers its few interests declined and were removed to more 
inviting localities. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 
THE TOWN OF MAINE. 

This town was formed from Union March 27, 1848. A small portion 
was set off to Chenango in 1856, but otherwise its boundaries have not 
been disturbed. Its area is 28,429 acres of land, of as good quality for 
general agricultural pursuits as can be found in Broome county. This 
is true notwithstanding the fact that the land surface is broken by sev- 
eral ranges of hills, varying in height from 400 to 600 feet above the 
level of the Chenango river. The valleys, which are narrow, extend 
generally in a north and south direction. The principal streams are 
Nanticoke, Bradley and Crocker creeks. 

According to accepted authority, Benjamin Norton was the pioneer 



THE TOWN OF MANIE. 711 

of the town, he having made a settlement about three-quarters of a 
mile north of Maine village in 1794. Amos Howard is said to have 
settled in the town in the same year. In 1797 Alfred and Russell Gates, 
who had previously lived on Bingham's Patent, near the site of Bing- 
hamton, came and began an improvement in the northwest corner of 
the town, in the locality afterward known as Gates' Settlement. Daniel 
Howard and Winthrop Roe also came during the same year, but Roe 
was a settler in Union previous to 1791, as maybe seen by reference to 
the history of that town. Moses Delano, whose descendants ever since 
have lived in Maine, and Nathaniel Slosson came here about 1800. 

These were the pioneers of Maine, and although descendants of some 
of them are still in the county, little can now be learned of the early 
life and experiences of their ancestors. Among the first events of town 
history, past writers inform us that the first birth was that of Cynthia, 
daughter of Winthrop Roe, born July, 1797; that the first school was 
taught by Betsey Ward in 1802; that pioneer Daniel Howard built the 
first grist mill in 1810; that Jared Ketchum (whose family surname 
ever since has been associated with Maine history) opened the first store in 
Maine village in 1825; that Oliver Whitcomb (whose descendants still 
are m the town) opened a tavern in 1829. 

Maine comprises portions of three divisions of the Boston Purchase 
tract, known respectively as the Nanticoke township, the Chenango 
township and the Grand division. As a part of the vast tract owned 
by Samuel Brown and his associates, settlement was begun under the 
direction of the agents of the proprietary, hence nearly all the early 
and many of the later settlers were Yankees from New England. 
James Ketchum, from Connecticut, came to Chenango in 1790, and to 
Maine Centre in 1802. Timothy Caswell came about 1805, and was the 
first settler in the vicinity later known as Allen Settlement. 

Referring briefly to other settlers, mention may be made of Asa 
Curtis, tanner,, currier and farmer, who settled here in 1800. Thomp- 
son Lewis came in 1813. Samuel Stone, Heman Payne, Marsena Mc- 
Intyre, Timothy Caswell, Henry Marean (grandfather of Henry Marean, 
late county clerk), Joseph Marean and John Marean (1810) were here 
previous to 1820. 

Among the later settlers, all of whom were in the town previous to the 
time Maine was set off from Union, were John C. Curtis, Lyman Pol- 
lard (1829), John Durfee (1829), Andrew Taylor, William Flint, Captain 
Orange Arnold (1829), James S. Fisher,William Lincoln (1837), William 



712 THE TOWN OF MAINE. 

Ashley (1837), Le Roy Benton (1838), Anthony W. North (1842), Moses 
Couse (1845), Frederick Andrews (1846), Prentice Fuller (1836), Dr. Wm. 
Butler (1830), Dr. Oliver P. Newell (1839), James Bean (1830), Dexter 
Hathaway (1837). 

William Hogg, a native of Scotland, born in 1807, came from his 
former home in Montgomery county to this town in 1836, and founded 
what afterward was known as the " Scotch " settlement. Soon after- 
ward others of the same name and nationality came to the settlement, 
upon which the name was changed to " Hogg" settlement; but the 
members of the little colony always called their location " Mt. Ettrick," 
in allusion to the birthplace of James Hogg, the Ettrick shepherd, of 
Selkirkshire, Scotland. William Hogg was for many years one of the 
foremost men of Maine, and was justice of the peace full thirty years. 

Still further, in connection with Maine history, mention also may be 
made of the names of Henry Sutherland, who was born in the town 
in 1831; of John J. Allen, born in 1838; Oren Holden, born in 
1842, and who since has occupied a prominent position in county poli- 
tics; of Chester Pitkin and others. Still others who have been factors 
in Maine history are Eugene M. Andrews, William F. Bean, Leroy M. 
Benton, Adelbert G. Councilman, Asa U. Curtis, Henry S. Curtis, John 
C. Curtis, Aaron Delano, Eugene B. Dewey, Jefferson Ransom, Dr. C, 
N. Guy, William Hogg 2d, James Hogg, Norman P. Brown, James M. 
Howard, Ephraim Ketchum, William L. Leadbetter, Benjamin F. 
Lewis, Chester Marean, William H. Sherwood, Henry Marean, William 
A. Marean, George B. Smith, Peter C. Shafer, Nicholas Westcott, Frank 
N. Pollard, and others. 

Organization. — In accordance with the act creating the town, the 
first meeting for the election of officers was held in the school house in 
Maine village. The officers of the meeting were John C. Curtis, Sands 
Miles and Louis Gates, with Nathaniel W. Eastman as clerk. The fol- 
lowing town officers were chosen : 

Supervisor, Andrew H. Arnold; town clerk, John W. Hunt; superin- 
tendent of schools, Marshal Delano; collector, John T. Davis; justices 
of the peace, Cyrus Gates, John Blanchard, Hanan W. Mooers; assess- 
ors, Orange H. Arnold, Thomas Young, jr., William H. Tuttle; com- 
missioners of highways, Hanan Payne, Edward W. Ward; overseers of 
the poor. Dexter Hathaway, Matthew Allen; pound master, Lyman 
Pollard. 

The succession of supervisors in Maine is as follows: Andrew H. 



THE TOWN OF MAINE. 713 

Arnold, 1848; Roger Wing Hinds, 1849-50; Granville Gates, 1851-53; 
Jefferson Ransom, 1854-55; John C. Curtis, 1856; Jefferson Ransom,' 
1857-61; John Hovey, 1862; Jefferson Ransom, 1863-64; Almon 
R. Payne, 1865; Jefferson Ransom, 1866-67; Aaron Delano, 1868- 
69; William H. Sherwood, 1870-71; Peter C. Shafer, 1872; Will- 
iam H. Sherwood, 1873; Henry Marean, 1874-77; Henry Curtis, 
1878-79; Orrin Holden, 1880-81; Norman P. Brown, 1882-83*; 
Eugene M. Andrews, 1884; Henry Marean, 1885-88; Eugene M. An- 
drews, 1889-90; Edgar L. Vincent, 1891-95; Orrin Holden, 1896-97; 
Frank M. Pollard, 1898-1900. 

The town officers in 1899 were Frank M. Pollard, supervisor; W. J. 
Bronk, town clerk; W. F. Ingerson, Judson H. Riley, Aaron Delano, 
justices of the peace; Wellington Carley, James Riddell, T. T. Lawton, 
assessors; W, A. Pollard, highway commissioner; John N. Davey, over- 
seer of the poor. 

Among the civil divisions of the county Maine occupies a central po- 
sition on the western border. It is without railroads and other internal 
improvements, hence is a purely agricultural town. When set off from 
Union in 1848 the population of the new jurisdiction numbered about 
1,800 persons, and from that time until 1880 the population gradually 
mcreased to the maximum number of 2,129 in the year last mentioned. 
In subsequent years there has been a falling off in number of inhabit- 
ants, yet in this respect Maine has suffered less than many other towns 
in the county and region. However, as evidence of the early growth 
and subsequent decline in the population in the town, the following ex- 
tracts from the census reports are a fair index. 

In 1850 the population was 1,843; 1855, 1,979; 1860, 1,609; 1865, 
2,061; 1870, 2,035; 1875, 2,069; 1880, 2,129; 1890, 1,692; 1892, 1,649. 
It may be said, however, that the unofficial count of 1892 cannot be 
taken as a correct index of the town's population in that year, as the 
same was made for political purposes alone. 

VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. 

Maine Village.— Th.\s pleasantly situated hamlet of about 200 inhab- 
itants has been the chief center of trade in the town for more than half 
a century, yet during that period it has not attained sufficient promi- 
nence and population to warrant an incorporation. William Hovey, 
whose surname is still preserved in the town, was probably the first 
resident on the village site, but it was not until about 1825, when 



714 THE TOWN OF MAINE. 

Capt. Stoddard built a mill in the village that a hamlet settlement be- 
gan to spring up, although the Presbyterian society had a house of 
worship there several years earlier. The names of all the early mer- 
chants, except perhaps Milton Taylor, who was in business from 1837 
to 1840, are now unknown. In 1840 William Lincoln opened a stock 
of goods, and in the same year Niles & Perkins began business. Mr. 
Lincoln came to Maine in 1837 and went into trade three years later; 
and thereafter was identified with the business history of the town 
nearly half a century. Among the other early merchants may be men- 
tioned the names of John Hovey, John T. Davis and Henry S. Chase. 

One of the most prominent figures in early village history was Lyman 
Pollard, a native of New Hampshire, who came here in 1829 and began 
farming and lumbering, carrying on business on a large scale, for he 
was a man of determination and energy. He erected a store building 
in 1847, and thereafter was in trade in connection with his other enter- 
prises. His successors in the old location were Butler & Payne, How- 
ard & Payne, John Hovey, Pollard & Marean, L. Pollard, Wm. B. Mc- 
Auley, Thorne & Church, Church Bros., Church, Curtis & Co., Church 
& Sherwood, Wm. H. Sherwood, W. H. Sherwood & Son, F. A & M. F. 
Sherwood, W. H. Sherwood & Son, Sherwood & Brooks, F. A. Sher- 
wood, Brooks & Turner, L. L. Brooks & Son and L. L. Brooks, about 
in the order mentioned. The building burned in 1895, but was rebuilt 
by George Martin, its present occupant. Taylor Bros, began business 
in 1867 and continued until the death of R. D. Taylor, the senior part- 
ner. The business has since been conducted by B. L. Taylor. The 
Lincoln store burned in 1895. Mr. Lincoln was one of Maine's best 
business men and foremost citizens. Francis H. Marean began busi- 
ness in 1849, first as a clerk, but opened his own stock of goods in 1854; 
and thereafter he was in active trade many years, a part of the time in 
company with his son Henry. The old Marean store is now carried on 
by Fred A. Benson. 

In 18G5 Maine was a village of business activity, containing several 
large stores and a number of other important industries. In that year 
the merchants doing business here were A. R. Payne, William Lincoln, 
Lyman Pollard and F. H. Marean & Son. The lumbering and milling 
interests then were represented by W. C. Pollard, J. W. Councilman and 
D. C. Norton. Ephraim Ketchum was proprietor of the hotel, and 
Drs. William Butler and Carlton R. Heaton attended to the sick calls of 
the townsfolk. 



THE TOWN OF MAINE. 715 

The first village tavern was built in 1825 by Oliver Whitcomb. An- 
other public house was afterward erected by Norman B. Smith, and 
still is occupied for hotel purposes, having passed through many pro- 
prietorships. Ephraim Ketchum became its landlord in 1860, and the 
house is still owned by his family. 

Among the other business characters of the village may be mentioned 
Halcom Brooks, A. J. Church, druggist; Albert Butler, druggist; Michael 
Moores, cabinet maker, established 1830; William Flint, who succeeded 
Moores in 1860; Leroy Bostwick, successor to A. J. Church; and Charles 
Bowers, cabinet maker, successor to Wm. Flint. 

Of the old time milling interests few now remain. The once busy 
Slosson mill passed into the hands of Carman & Green, who now operate 
it. The John Councilman mill has been gone three years. The Albert 
G. Councilman mill was eventually replaced with a new one, and the 
latter was burned about two years ago. 

A tannery was built in the village in 1832 by E. H. Clark, and was 
operated by him many years, during which time it was frequently en- 
larged and became the leading industry of the town. Its subsequent 
owners were William Sandord, 1862; Franklin Thorne, 1863; Sherwood 
& Co., 1866; Allison & Sherwood, 1871; W. H. Sherwood & Co., 1884, 
and still later by F. A. Sherwood. The buildings were torn down 
about 1895 and on the site now stands the Wells & Corwin creamery 
building. 

At the present time Maine has a less number and variety of business 
interests than were noticeable a quarter of a century and more ago, but 
those that remain are of a substantial and apparently permanent char- 
acter. The present business men of the village are George F. Mariin, 
Taylor Bros., A. U. Curtis and W. E. Dyer, general stores; Henry De- 
lano, variety store ; Leroy Bostwick, druggist ; E. S. Ellis and Herman 
Purtell, meats; F. A. Benson, merchant; Wells & Corwin, creamery. 

The institutions of the village are the Y. M. C. A., organized May 1, 
1879, and now having a membership of 100 persons; Maine Lodge No. 
399, F. & A. M., a strong organization; and a lodge of K. of H., organ- 
ized in 1877. Sherwood lodge. Knights and Ladies of the Golden Star, 
once a flourishing body, now is inactive. 

The village also has a good district school and three churches— Meth- 
odist Episcopal, Baptist and Congregational, all of which are men- 
tioned in another department of this work. 

Maine was made a post station in 1828. The postmasters in succes- 



716 THE TOWN OF MAINE. 

sion have been John C. Curtis, Norman B. Smith, E. H. Clark, John 
H. Hunt, Lyman Pollard, D. S. Ball. F. H. Marean, George B. Smith, 
Freeman C. Curlhair, George B. Smith and Freeman C. Curlhair. 

Among the village physicians, past and present, may be mentioned 
Drs. William Butler, Oliver Newell, J. T. Clark, S. M. Hunt, W. H. 
Niles, A. C. Noble, George Young, C. R. Heaton, Clement H. Guy, 
Dwight Dudley and William Clark. Drs. Dudley and Clark now are 
practicing in the village. 

East Maine is a post station in the southeast part of the town, the 
post-office having been established for the convenience of the residents 
of the locality. The only store is kept by James Aker, who also is the 
postmaster. The East Maine creamery is the only industry of the 
vicinity. The public institutions are the Presbyterian and Methodist 
churches and the district school. 

North Maine is the name of a locality in the north part of the town, 
where a store is sometimes kept, and where also is a M. E. church and 
society. 

Bowers' Corners is the name of a settlement about a mile north of 
Maine village, in the locality where Gardner Bowers settled in 1822. 
A store was opened here in 1865 by J. M. & C. J. Bowers, but at the 
present time the place is without business interests other than one or 
two small shops. 

Schools. — In relation to the schools of the town little can or need be 
written. When Maine was set off from Union, the territory compris- 
ing the new jurisdiction was already divided into districts suited to the 
convenience of the inhabitants, hence little was required to be done 
other than to readjust the district boundaries. As now disposed, the 
town contains fourteen districts, two of which are joint with other 
towns and have no school house in the county. According to the com- 
missioner's report for the year ending July 31, 1899, the amount of pub- 
lic moneys apportioned to the town was $1,435.78, while the town 
raised by tax the sum of $1,584.65. During the year there was paid 
for teachers' wages the sum of $2,865.10. In the year mentioned the 
school census showed 272 children in the town of school age. 



THE TOWN OF VESTAL. 717 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

THE TOWN OF VESTAL. 

This town comprises portions of several large land patents, principal 
among which were the Hooper-Wilson-Bingham tract, the first and 
second tracts in Sidney township, and the Morris Edgar tract. A very- 
small part of the historic Boston Purchase tract lies in this town, includ- 
ing lots Nos. 204, 222 and parts of two others. This was the land on 
which pioneers Samuel and Daniel Seymour settled in 1785, and since 
that time, by reason of the prominence of these pioneers and their de- 
scendants, the locality of their residence is familiar ground to old resi- 
dents of Vestal, Union and Binghamton. 

Vestal was set off from Union, January 22, 1823. It contains 32,257 
acres of land and occupies a position in the southwest corner of the 
county. Among the divisions of Broome county the town ranks fourth 
in size. Along the valley of the Susquehanna is found some of the 
richest agricultural land in the region, the soil being a deep, gravelly 
loam and alluvium, while on the hills is a good quality of slat/ loam, 
which is admirably adapted to grazing and grain growing. The princi- 
pal water courses, except the river, are Choconut and Tracy creeks, 
the latter originally having been known as Randall's creek. 

At the mouth of Choconut creek, not far from the present village of 
Vestal, was once the Tuscarora Indian village of Choconut, which to 
the soldiers of Clinton's and Poor's armies was known as " Chugnutt." 
On August 18, 1779, an army of 900 Americans under General Poor 
encamped on the site of the village and destroyed all the Indian habita- 
tions to the number of about 20 houses and cabins. According to the 
report of Major Norris, an officer of Poor's command, the Indians had 
abandoned the village and fled before the approach of the whites, but 
on the land in the vicinity the soldiers found growing crops, cucumbers, 
squashes and turnips in abundance, all of which were destroyed. 

General Poor's detachment comprised a small portion of General Sul- 
livan's main army, and was sent from Tioga Point (Athens) up the 
Susquehanna to reinforce the army under General Clinton, the latter 



718 THE TOWN OF VESTAL. 

having proceeded down the river from Otsego lake, destroying all In- 
dian villages and crops, and driving the savages from the valley. Clin- 
ton's army was delayed in its journey, and was not at the rendezvous at 
the appointed time. This delay led Sullivan to believe that Clinton 
was meeting with considerable opposition, therefore he sent Poor 
up the river to assist and join forces with the army coming down. 
Poor's men arrived at Chugnutt on August 18, and on the same day 
Clinton's men were destroying the Indian village on the site of the city 
of Binghamton and another about a mile up the Chenango. On the 
following day the forces united at a point between Vestal village and 
the city, and thence proceeded down the river on their expedition of 
destruction and punishment. 

Poor's men, however, were not the first whites to visit this locality, 
as the valley long had been the route of travel between the upper and 
lower regions of the Susquehanna, and frequently was used by the 
Moravian missionaries. Also in the summer of 1 779, previous to the pass- 
age of the armies referred to, General Sullivan had sent a party of scouts 
with dispatches for Gen. Clinton. The party came up along the south 
side of the river, and evidently one of them became impressed with the 
lands here, as he afterwards came to live in the town and was one of its 
worthy pioneers. That man was John Rush, some of whose descend- 
ants ever since have lived in the county. 

In 1782, three years after the destruction of Chugnutt by the Ameri- 
can army, Amos Draper established a trading post at the mouth of the 
creek, and formed a friendly relation with the Indians, for he wanted 
their peltries and gave them trinkets and poor rum in exchange. While 
Draper perhaps was the advance guard of civilization he was not a 
pioneer, for he made no attempt to cultivate the land or to establish a 
permanent home. A year or two later James McMaster came down 
the valley from the Mohawk, visited Draper in a friendly way, and 
then went on to Ahwaga (Owego), where he settled and where Drap- 
er afterward joined him. 

Amos Draper probably was the first white settler within the limits 
of the town, but he was not its pioneer. That honor perhaps should 
have been accorded to John Rush,' for it is believed that his earlier 
visit determined him in favor of the locality, although his actual settle- 

1 John Weston who lived in Vestal many years, was one of John Rush's companions on the 
trip from Tioga Point to General Clinton. His life in the town was quietly spent, and little is 
known of his history or antecedents. 



THE TOWN OF VESTAL. 719 

ment was delayed until several years afterward. Now, briefly, let us 
see who were the earliest permanent settlers in Vestal. 

Major David Barney is said to have been the first permanent set- 
tler in Vestal, and that he came here in 1785, making the journey from 
Cooperstown in a canoe; and that an accident occurred in which his 
children narrowly escaped drowning. In the same year also came 
Daniel and Samuel Seymour, whom some writers have mentioned as 
brothers. It is doubtful if they were at all related, and if so very 
distantly. They settled on their lots on the Boston Purchase, the only 
portion of that tract which lay south of the river. Both were worthy 
pioneers and enterprising citizens, and were prominent factors in the 
early civil history of the town and county. Both had a substantial line 
of descendants, and the surname ever since has been represented by 
some of the county's best citizens. 

Asa Camp, whose surname afterwards was more prominent in Tioga 
than Broome county history, came in 1787. He was a patriot of the 
revolution, and frequently was addressed as "Colonel" Camp. Joshua 
Mersereau, whose descendants still are numerous in the county, came 
to Vestal in 1789. John Mersereau, the head of another branch of the 
same family, came in 1798, and built the first house on the farm after- 
ward occupied by Washington I. Weed. Bethias Dubious came about 
1794. His son Daniel built the first grist mill at the mouth of Choco- 
nut creek, and the property remained in the family nearly a century. 
John Fairbrother came in 1796 and settled about a mile south of Vestal 
Centre. He was a famous hunter, and is said to have killed as many 
as 2,500 deer in his time. John La Grange came from New Jersey 
about 1795 and located on lands near Judge Mersereau, who was his 
uncle. The La Grange surname afterward was prominent in Vestal 
and Binghamton history. Abram Winans, a revolutionary patriot, 
came about 1796. He was father of Peter M. Winans and grandfather 
of Abram Winans, both of whom were afterward well known in Vestal 
history. David Willis came from New Jersey in 1796, and was the head 
of a large family whose descendants still live in the county. Amos and 
Samuel Morse came in 1797. Peter La Tourette, whose descendants 
were for many years connected with Vestal history, and incidentally 
with the history of Binghamton, came from New Jersey in 1802. Al- 
though once numerous the surname now has few representatives in the 
town or the county. Alfred Rounds, whose descendants still are fac- 
tors in local history, came about 1797. He built a mill on Choconut 
creek, the property being owned in the family for many years. 



720 THE TOWN OF VESTAL. 

Jonathan Crane was the pioneer head of a prominent family in early 
Vestal history, but few representatives of the surname now are in the 
town or county. George W. Crane, supervisor of Vestal, and owner of 
the Vestal grist mill, is a descendant of the pioneer. Jonathan Crane 
kept the first store at Crane's Ferry, as the locality was once known, 
but about 1825 he removed to his farm south of Vestal village. He 
came to the town about 1799. The late Dr. Peabody married a daugh- 
ter of pioneer Crane. Ryerson Winans came about the same time and 
purchased a 500-acre farm. 

Among the other early settlers in Vestal were Thomas Eldridge (an 
old revolutionary soldier), John Baty (a native of Ireland), Elias Willis 
(who came with his widowed mother in 1796), Samuel Randall (a Ver- 
monter, for whom Randall's creek was named), Samuel Murdock, Rev. 
William Davenport, Joseph and Samuel Chidester, John Locke (a Rev- 
olutionary patriot and an active participant in the famous " Boston tea 
party." Mr. Locke was grandfather of the noted humorist, D. R. 
Locke, otherwise known as " Petroleum V. Nasby. " Nathaniel Locke, 
father of the writer, had a tanner}^ in Vestal between 1835 and 1840). 

Among the later factors in Vestal history may be recalled the names 
of Samuel A. Randall, Nathaniel Benjamin, Elijah Wheeler, Edwin D. 
Brown, Alvin Landon, Allen Benjamin (born in Vestal, 1821), Samuel 
Chamberlain, William A. Drum, Charles N. Castleman, Elias W. Crane 
(born in Vestal, 1819), Henry B. Leonard, Almon H. and Leonard W. 
Fairbrother, Thomas R. Gates, L P. Harvey, Peter La Tourette, Mar- 
vin Landon, Marvin M. Maricle, L. A. Mason, John A. Murphy, Jabez 
C. Newell, Hiram W. Peabody, Cornelius M. Pierce, George E. Ross, 
Theodore Randall (born in Vestal, 1833), Thomas J. Ross, Aaron S. 
Russell, Silas T. Swan, Parley Tilbury, David B. West and Abram 
Winans (born in Vestal, 1832). 

From the number of names and known quality of the men who have 
been mentioned on the preceding pages it must be seen that Vestal en- 
joyed a rapid and healthful growth during the early years of the cent- 
ury. Indeed, the town ever has been noted for the worthy character 
of its inhabitants, and their worth has been recognized, as the town has 
furnished a fair proportion of the strongest men of the county. With 
an ample population and all local interests firmly established, it was 
little wonder that the settlers early sought a separation from the mother 
town and the organization of a new jurisdiction south of the river. 
This result, however, was not accomplished until several years after 



THE TOWN OF VESTAL. 721 

the first steps were taken in that direction, for Union did not favor the 
project looking to a division of its territory when the subject was first 
proposed. 

Organization.— kX the first town meeting in Vestal, held February 
11, 1833, officers were elected as follows: Supervisor, Samuel Murdock; 
town clerk, David Mersereau; assessors, Daniel Mersereau, James 
Brewster, Nathan Barney; collector, Nathaniel Benjamin; poundmas- 
ters, Ephraim Potts, Nathaniel Benjamin; justices of the peace (appt'd 
by the governor), Lewis Seymour, John Seymour, Ezekiel Taylor. 

The succession of supervisors, since 1849 (the earliest county record 
attainable), is as follows: Benjamin Rounds, 1849-50; Cornelius Mer- 
sereau, 1851-52; Christopher R. Mersereau, 1853; Daniel M. Layton, 
1854; Samuel C. Foster, 1855; Daniel M. Layton, 1856; Cornelius Mer- 
sereau, 1857-58; Jacob L. Rounds, 1859; Edward Barton, 1860; Samuel 
E. Weed, 1861-63; Jacob L. Rounds, 1864-65; George E. Ross, 1866- 
67; Washington L Weed, 1868; George F. Coggswell, 1869; John 
Wheeler, 1870-71; J. L. Rounds, 1872; George E. Ross, 1873; J. L. 
Rounds, 1874-77; George E. Ross, 1878; Lucius A. Mason, 1879-80; 
D. H. Plough, 1881; E. B. Mersereau, 1882; Abram Winans, 1883; 
Samuel Chamberlain, 1884; Charles Shores, 1885; Samuel Chamber- 
lin, 1886-87; Henry D. Harrington, 1888-90; Oren J. White, 1891-92; 
Jacob B. Crane, 1893; Oren J. White, 1894-95; Wesley J. Osincup, 
1896-97; Henry D. Harrington, 1898; George Crane, 1899. 

Town officers, 1899: George W. Crane, supervisor; Joseph C. Kel- 
lum, town clerk; E. B. Mersereau, Lee M. Winans, B. C Plough, James 
C. Brown, justices of the peace; Augustus J. Lester, collector; Fred A. 
Pierce, John D. Willis, Chester Brimmer, assessors; Halsey W. Noyes, 
highway commissioner; Tobias Plough, Harlan W. Leter, Orman Rhein- 
vault, overseer of the poor. 

The greatest growth in the history of the town, as indicated by the 
census reports, was between the years 1845 and 1850, the number of 
inhabitants then being increased from 1,017 to 2,054 during the period 
of five years. At that time lumbering was at its height, and in the 
production Vestal was among the leading towns of the county. The 
industry was maintained until about 1875 and then began to decline, 
although it never has been fully discontinued. In 1838 the town con- 
tained two grist mills, 15 saw mills, one fulling mill, one cotton mill, 
one distillery, one oil cloth factory and two tanneries. Now all these 
industries, except a flouring and grist mill and also one or two saw 

46 



722 THE TOWN OF VESTAL. 

mills, have disappeared, and Vestal is a purely agricultural town. Pre- 
vious to twenty-five years ago large quantities of hops were grown here 
and proved to be a fairly profitable crop. Still later, Harvey Westcott 
started an extensive brickyard in the eastern part of the town and car- 
ried on a successful business several years. The only special industry 
now in this locality is George L. Harding's fertilizer and poultry food 
factory. 

In 1825 Vestal contained 794 inhabitants. The subsequent fluctua- 
tions in population are shown by the following extracts from the census 
reports: In 1830 the population was 948; 1835, 1,124; 1840, 1,253; 1845, 
1,017; 1850,2,054; 1855, 1,967; 1860, 2,211; 1865, 1,939; 1870, 2,221; 
1875, 2,023; 1880, 2,184; 1890, 2,076; 1892, 2,118. 

Schools. — In 1823, when this town was set off from Union, the terri- 
tory was divided into four school districts by Commissioners David Mer- 
sereau, James Brewster and John La Grange. At that time the num- 
ber of children in the town between the ages of five and fifteen years 
was 210. In 1838 the number of districts had increased to 7, and the 
number of children to 325. Twenty years later the districts numbered 
18, and the children 372. According to the disposition of school inter- 
ests at the present time the districts number 15, and the children be- 
tween the ages of five and sixteen years, 442. During the year ending 
July 31, 1899, the town received a total of $4,660.10 for school pur- 
poses, $1,944.89 of which was apportioned to the town from the state 
public school funds, and $2,451.77 were raised by town tax. In that 
year the amount paid teachers was $3,753.91. In the various district 
libraries of the town are 538 volumes of books. 

VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. 

Vestal. — While this hamlet never has attained the population or com- 
mercial importance to warrant a corporate character, it nevertheless 
has been an important trading center for about three-quarters of a cent- 
ury. To the soldiers in Generals Clinton's and Poor's armies the local- 
ity was known as Choconut, the men having a way of rendering the 
name as "Chugnutt. " When Jonathan Crane, who had much to do 
with founding the settlement, opened a stock of goods and a tavern the 
place took the name of Crane's Ferry. The worthy pioneer was inter- 
ested in that enterprise as well as merchandising and keeping a tavern. 
Jacob Rounds was another old storekeeper here, and succeeded Mr. 
Crane. A second hotel was built in 1844 by John and Jacob Rounds, 
who for a time acted as its landlords. 



THE TOWN OF VESTAL. 723 

From these small beginnings Vestal village grew into a hamlet of 
considerable prominence, and in 1865 at least twenty residents of the 
town made it the center of trade of some sort besides farming. The 
dealers found a ready market for all their products inBinghamton, and 
vast quantities besides were shipped down the river. The opening of 
the D. , L. & W. railroad had an enlivening effect on all interests for a 
time, but it is doubtful if the results were of permanent benefit. 

The present merchants are J. S. Crane and W. S. Pierce, both of 
whom represent an element of pioneership in the town. The principal 
industry is the Vestal flouring mill, now owned and operated by George 
W.Crane, who is descended from Jonathan Crane, the pioneer. The 
mill is modern in every respect, yet the site on which it stands has long 
been used for milling purposes. The creamery and milk station com- 
prise the remaining interests of the village. The public institutions 
are the M. E. church and the graded school of District No. 2. 

During the period of its history Vestal has produced many strong 
men for the good of the county, and among them may be mentioned 
the names of Dr. Peabody, who eventually removed to Bingharaton 
and died there; Dr. Witherill, who settled here in 1835, and whose de- 
scendants now are factors in the history of this town and also of Union; 
Dr. Theo. P. Knapp, who still practices in Union; and Dr. Samuel B. 
Foster, who was born in Vestal in 1825, and who practiced many years 
in that vicinity. 

Tracy Creek. — At one time this hamlet was the rival of Vestal in 
business importance, but after the lumbering industry began to decline 
the place lost much of its old-time prominence. In this locality Henry 
Osincup was one of the earliest settlers, and his surname ever since has 
been well represented in the county. Samuel Campbell is said to have 
built the first dwelling house on the village site. 

Among the other and perhaps later factors in the history of the lo- 
cality were Daniel M. Clark, James Noyes (merchant), Henry Tucker 
(who came here in 1823). Peter Joslyn, William Boyce, Joseph and 
Samuel Chidester, Daniel Jenks and still others whose names are now 
forgotten. 

At one time Tracy Creek was the abiding place of a number of min- 
isters of the gospel, and their influence and example always had an ex- 
cellent effect on the moral status of the community. Among these 
clergymen were Revs. W. W. Davenport, B.C. Coffin, Edward Under- 
wood, Henry H. Cole, Daniel Warwick, Nathan Bacon, D. D. Brown, 
Hiram Gale and A. R. Campbell. 



734 THE TOWN OF VESTAL. 

Richard Baker was an early store keeper, and was followed in later 
years by Robert Wheeler, James Tucker, Jerry Rowland, Noyes& Bul- 
lock, James Goodno, C. D. Burrows, Daniel Westfall and John Baker. 
Other factors in local business history were John Card (miller), Fred 
Pangburn, Alex. Mosher, Ira Brister, Joseph Rowland, Levi Gobleand 
G. Baker. The present business men of the hamlet are G. L. Manning, 
merchant; John Card, saw mill, and the Tracy Creek creamery, L. E. 
Russell, treasurer. 

The institutions of the place are the Methodist Episcopal and Re- 
form Methodist churches and the district school. 

Vestal Centre. — This hamlet is located on Big Choconut creek, four 
miles east of Tracy Creek. In this vicinity Jabesh Truesdell settled in 
1804. Other early comers to the locality were Samuel and Silas Trues- 
dell, Aaron King, Daniel Price, Jacob Maricle, Lewis Rogers, John 
Simpson and Gilbert Roberts. In connection with local history the 
names of James Lathrop, Norman Rheinvault, Charles Swan, Samuel 
Wells, A. Piatt and Wm. Chase are also worthy of mention. Richard 
Gordon was an early merchant, doing business soon after 1840. Later 
store keepers were J. Crosby, Jefferson Piatt, Henry V. Batcher, Daniel 
Westfall, George Cooper and Coe Wells. The names of Silas T. Swan, 
Russell Miller, Simeon Westfall, N. Grippen and Samuel Foster are 
recalled in connection with milling interests in the locality. The pres- 
sent steam grist mill is carried on by Charles Pierson. Henry V, 
Batcher still is in trade, and is the only merchant of consequence in the 
hamlet. The institutions are the Methodist Episcopal and Baptist 
churches and the district school. 

Ross' Corners is the name of a locality in which David Ross once car- 
ried on extensive lumbering operations. He was in business between 
1835 and 1850 and "rafted" vast quantities of lumber down the river. 
Rev. John B. White, a Methodist preacher, once carried on blacksmith- 
ing in the settlement. Ross' Corners now is hardly more than a name. 



THE TOWN OF WINDSOR. 725 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 
THE TOWN OF WINDSOR. 

This town was formed from Chenango, March 2, 1807, including- all 
its present territory and also that of the adjoining towns of Sanford 
and Colesville, which were set off in 1821. A part of Conklin was an- 
nexed in 1831, and a small part of the mother town was annexed to 
Conklin (now Kirkwood) in 1851. Within its present limits the town 
has an area of 54,573 acres of land, and in point of resources and gen- 
eral productiveness it ranks first among the divisions of the county. 
Moreover, Windsor is the largest town in the county, with an area 
equal to that of two ordinary townships, a little more than eighty-five 
square miles of land. 

More than a century before the advent of the hardy New England 
pioneer, the town of Windsor was the temporary abode of several 
whites, one of whom, if history be true, was a \\"oman; but still earlier 
than that the valley of the Susquehanna in the vicinity of Windsor 
village was inhabited by the Tuscarora Indians. This people originated 
from the aborigines of New York, but broke away from the parent race 
and established itself in the far south, in the Carolinas, as history in- 
forms us. In the early part of the eighteenth century the Tuscaroras 
became involved in a v/ar with the whites in the south (the latter being 
allied to the Powhattans in the contest) and were driven from the region. 
They fled north and sought refuge with the Five Nations of the then 
province of New York, and were assigned to the country south of that 
occupied by the Oneidas and Onondagas, or, in other words, in the 
regions of the Susquehanna valley, where they established numerous 
villages. They came here sometime between 1712 and 1720, and the 
frequent attempts to ascribe to them an earlier occupancy of the valley 
is both erroneous and ill-advised. 

The Tuscarora village which we now call Ouaquaga and Oquaga 
(but which has been spelled and pronounced by historians in at least 
fifty different ways) was established by this people, and the numerous 
large and thrifty apple trees which the New England missionaries, and 



726 THE TOWN OF WINDSOR. 

the still later arriving soldiers of Clinton's army, found within the lim- 
its of the town, were planted by these Indians after their arrival, and 
after their partial adoption of white customs, which virtually dated from 
the time of Sir William Johnson coming among the Iroquois about 1735. 
Writers have too frequently accorded to the Tuscaroras an antiquity to 
which they were not entitled, and the youthful mind in search of truth 
should not be longer misled. 

During his incumbency of the office of superintendent of Indian af- 
fairs, William Johnson (afterward Colonel William and still later Sir 
William Johnson) did much to spread the gospel among the Indians of 
New York, and encouraged the visits of the missionaries among all the 
allied tribes. But the politic superintendent was not vvholl}^ inspired 
with christian motives to the disregard of the interests of his sovereign, 
and many of his apparently philanthropic actions were performed in 
the earnest endeavor to form a permanent alliance with the tribes of 
the Iroquois in an impending conflict with the French. The powers 
sought control of the territory of this state, and the friendship of the 
Six Nations was eagerly courted by each. The French made friends 
with the Senecas, and the English, through Johnson, with the eastern 
tribes of the confederacy, and in extending frontier outposts in each 
direction the fort or castle at the foot of Oquaga hill was built about 
the time of the last outbreak between the English and the French, 
It probably was built about 1754, and was one of the strongholds es- 
established by the English on the frontier in this direction. Through 
the agency of Johnson a chapel or church edifice was erected at the 
village, and American missionaries were sent to the place to labor 
among the Indians. Thus it was that Rev. John Ogilvie, Gideon Haw- 
ley, Samuel Kirkland, Timothy Woodbridge, and Eleazer Wheelock in 
their narratives so frequently alluded to the Indian settlement at Oquaga. 
Here, too, for a time dwelt Mr. and Mrs. Ashley, who were sent to as- 
sist in missionary work, the latter being an interpreter and of great 
service to the missionaries, while Mr. Ashley did not find favor either 
with the Indians or their white teachers. According to Mr. Hawley's 
narrative, Mrs. Ashley died and was buried in Oquaga in August, 1757. 
Jonathan Edwards, when a boy of nine years of age, was sent by his 
father to the Oquaga mission to learn the Indian language. The same 
boy, when grown, eventually became president of Princeton college, 
and one of his grandsons, Edward Edwards, was among the pioneers of 
Lisle. 



THE TOWN OF WINDSOR. 727 



During the French and English war, which closed in 1763, the Oquaga 
mission was regarded as an important outpost, but during the war of 
the revolution it acquired still greater prominence. From here a por- 
tion of the troop of Tories and Indians who perpetrated the slaughter 
at Wyoming prepared for that expedition, and on their return with 
booty and prisoners a brief stop was made at this place. Here, too, 
Brant and his merciless associates planned the massacre at Cherry Val- 
ley. So notorious indeed did Oquaga become during the early years 
of the war that in 1778 Col. Butler was sent with a strong force of 
Americans to drive out the occupants and burn the village ; which he 
did, and when Clinton's army came down the valley in the summer of 
1779 only a few scattering habitations remained standing. 

On Saturday, August 14, 1779, the right flank of Clinton's army ar- 
rived at the fording place on the Susquehanna, two miles above the In- 
dian village. The water was found to be too deep for the men to ford 
the river, hence they had recourse to the boats in crossing over to the 
east side. They then crossed over a high hill and at 3 o'clock in the 
afternoon reached the principal village, where the men encamped " on 
very pretty ground," as one narrative says. 

Lieut. Beatty thus describes "Onoquaga" in 1779: This is one of 
the neatest towns on the Susquehanna. It was built on each side of the 
river with good log houses, with stone chimneys and glass windows. It 
likewise had a church and burying ground and a great number of apple 
trees. We saw the ruins of an old fort which formerly was here many 
years ago (meaning the fort previously described, which was built less 
than thirty years earlier). The Indians abandoned this town last fall, 
when they heard of our detachment coming to destroy it. They had 
just left it when we ' came in but we did not catch any of them, but 
burnt their town to ashes and the detachment returned. 

From the afternoon of August 14 to the morning of the 17th, Clinton 
remained in camp at Oquaga, giving his men needed rest and also 
awaiting reinforcements which had been sent to join him here. The 
expected troops were the New York levies under Col. Pawling, but they 
did not reach Oquaga until after Clinton's departure, upon which they 
returned to Warwarsing. On Sunday and Monday the men remamed m 
camp, and on the latter day Major Church with the 4th Penn. regiment 
went out to meet the hoped for reinforcements, but was disappointed. 

On Tuesday, August 17, at 8 o'clock in the morning, Clinton's men 

> Lieut. Beatty was with Col. Butler's force in 1778. 



738 THE TOWN OF WINDSOR. 

marched from Oquaga down the river three miles to another Tuscarora 
village which Butler's men destroyed the year before. Here they waded 
the river, about four feet deep, and went on down one mile to the Tus- 
carora town (of 10 or 12 houses) of Shawiangto, which was burned. 
They then passed on down ten or twelve miles, over a very barren, 
mountainous country to the Tuscarora settlement called Ingaren, at or 
near Great Bend village. The Indian village called Shawiangto was 
within the limits of the present town of Windsor, and according to Mr. 
Conover's history of Clinton's expedition, was very near the site of 
Windsor village. 

The object of Gen. Clinton's invasion of the valley country of the 
Susquehanna was to drive out the Indians and to destroy every vestige 
of their habitation and growing crops. He scrupulously carried out 
his mission and then joined forces with Gen. Sullivan for a still more 
elaborate expedition against the Indians in the Genesee country. In 
the early part of May, 1779, in preparing for this somewhat elaborate 
campaign, a force was sent to open roads for the probable needs of the 
armies which were to operate. Accordingly, Col. Van Courtlandt's 2d 
New York regiment and Col. Spencer's New Jersey regiment were or- 
dered to precede the army and construct a road over the mountains in 
Pennsylvania leading most directly to Wyoming. They followed the 
Indian trails mainly, one of which led from Easton, by the way of Wind 
Gap, directly north along the high lands between the Delaware and Sus- 
quehanna rivers to the New York line near Oquaga, in the town of Wind- 
sor, This road, however, was not much used by the troops, but in the 
early civil history of the region it became a noted thoroughfare of travel 
for the pioneers. 

Within ten years next following the events noted on preceding pages, 
this part of the Susquehanna valley was again visited by the white man, 
but his mission was unlike that of his predecessors. John Doolittle 
came into the valley in 1786 or 1788 (on this point authorities differ, 
but the year first mentioned probably was correct) and located near the 
mouth of Doolittle creek, which was named in allusion to his family. 
Nearly all the persons bearing this surname and living in Colesville, 
Windsor and in Binghamton, are descendants from this worthy pioneer. 
Mr. Doolittle began an improvement and before much progress was made 
there came David Hotchkiss, with four stalwart sons, Amraphael, Cy- 
rus, Charles and Gilead, from whom have descended some of the fore- 
most business and professional men this county has produced, and who 



THE TOWN OF WINDSOR. 



729 



also are numbered among the prominent men of the county even to the 
present day. 

According- to authentic records, Frederick Goodell came in 1787, 
John Garnsey in 1788, Joel Guernsey in 1791, Samuel Stow in 1193, 
each being of New England ancestry and the head of a prominent fam- 
ily in subsequent Windsor history. Among the other early settlers in 
the town may be mentioned the names of Sebastian Comstock, who is 
said to have settled here in 1787; Paul Atwell, a revolutionary patriot, 
whose warrant for services as a soldier permitted him to take up land in 
the town ; Capt. James Knox, who came as early as 1790, and settled in the 
north part of the town, and from whom have descended a number of 
prominent men; Stephen Weeks, who came in 1805; Leverett Russell, 
whose settlement dated early in the century. 

In the same connection as early settlers and worthy men in the region 
may be recalled the names or Jacob Springsteen, Justus Beecher, Jas- 
per Edwards (1794), Roswell Higley, Ezra Barton, Col. Leman Mason 
(son of Capt. Luther Mason, a revolutionary patriot), John S. Eggles- 
ton, Elias Whittemore, Jarius Stewart and Thomas Judd. Wilkinson's 
Annals of Binghamton, in referring to the early settlers along the Sus- 
quehanna, mentions many men in connection with early Windsor his- 
tory, and whether or not all were within the present limits of the town 
it will not be amiss to reproduce their names in this brief chapter. Ac- 
cording to the authority of that careful writer, the dwellers in the val- 
ley in this region were Samuel and Edmund Badger, John and Jacob 
Springsteen, Capt. Knox, Wm. Moore, Isaac Churcher, John Stewart, Ed- 
ward Russell, Asa Judd, Nathan Lane and Azariah Hatch, all of whom 
were located on the east side of the river. On the other side he recalls the 
names of Ebenezer, Major John and Dr. Garnsey, Mr. Potter, Judge 
George Harpur, David Hotchkiss, Major Josiah Stow, Jonathan Andrus 
and John and Abel Doolittle. 

In the same manner, and drawing information from all reliable 
sources, the additional names of Timothy Beebe, Elmore Russell, Philip 
Weeks, Eri Kent, Allen Andrews, Selden Watrous, Peter, David and 
Derrick Van Duzer, Seeley Payne, Capt. Waller, Lyman Stillson (for 
whom Stillson Hollow was named), Daniel Blatchley (whose family 
have long lived in the vicinity of Randolph Center), Israel D wight, 
John Dusenbury (father of the late George and Harpur Dusenbury, 
two of Windsor's most successful business men in later years), Justus 
Beecher, Benjamin Alden, Alexander Rogers, Michael Hupman, Amos 



730 THE TOWN OF WINDSOR. 

Griggs, Hiram Blakeslee, Samuel R. Garlick, John B. Watrous, Will- 
iam Riley, Henry M. Knowlton, Zaccheus Phillips, Stephen Stilwell, 
Joseph Brown, Abijah Wilmot, Charles Rose, and others, all of whom 
were connected in some way with the events of early history in Wind- 
sor, and many of whose descendants are among the present citizens of 
the town and county. 

Having thus recalled the names of as many as possible of the pioneers 
and early settlers in the town, it is proper that in the present connec- 
tion there also may be mentioned the names of men who have been 
identified with Windsor history in more recent years, as it is the pur- 
pose" of this chapter to recall those who have been factors in that his- 
tory, whether in earlier or more recent years. In this category men- 
tion may be made of Benjamin F. Alden, Matthew Anderson, Rev. 
Erastus Andrus, Robert Ash, Samuel C. Atwell, Silas P. Brown, 
Charles W. Brownell (of the 5th New York Heavy art. in 1861-5), 
James W. Bell, Clark Beebe, Thomas Bevan, Vernon C. Blatchley, 
(prominent in town affairs), Fred H. Blakeslee, Albert C. Blatchley, 
Joseph H. Brownell (lumberman, member of assembly, and several 
terms supervisor), Jarius S. Chase (better known as " Squire " Chase), 
Orrin W. Childs, Adin W. Coburn (founder of the whip manufacturing 
industry which has given employment to Windsor village workmen for 
more than 45 years), Sebastian Comstock, Chester Dwight (born in Wind- 
sor in 1821), Alvin Edwards (born in Windsor, 1832), Dr. Isaac C. Ed- 
son (the old practicing physician, supervisor and assemblyman), Will- 
iam E. Edwards (born in Windsor, 1846, and of revolutionary ancestry), 
Merritt Eggleston (born in Windsor, 1833), Pinckney English, Charles 
F. English, Charles E. Garlick, Isaac B. Hanson, Stephen W. Hill, 
Aaron P. Hupman, John Hupman, Leman M. Judd, Seymour L. Judd 
(captain, Co. G, 89th N. Y. Vol. inf.), Eri Kent (at one time one of the 
most extensive farmers and land owners in the town), George Knox 
(lumberman and farmer), Milton Knox (several terms supervisor and a 
successful farmer), Henry W. Knowlton (assessor and enumerator of 
federal census in 1870), Henry Manwarren (from whom has descended 
some of Windsor's best men), Sterne A, Mason (son of Col. Leman 
Mason, the pioneer), Myron Phelps, William W. Phillips, Zaccheus 
Phillips, Frank Plunkett (of Co. G, 89th N. Y. inf. ; wounded at An- 
tietam), Gambia Rider (father of Chas. A. Rider, the old postmaster, 
merchant, and prominent man in the town and West Windsor for many 
years. John A. Rider, county treasurer for the last fifteen years, is 



THE TOWN OF WINDSOR. 731 

another worthy son among the eight children of Gambia Rider), Lewis 
Riley (better known as "Squire" Riley, the veteran justice'of the 
peace, and otherwise a valuable and prominent figure in Windsor his- 
tory for many years), William H. Roberts, John Rogers, Lewis S. 
Simpkins (of Co. E, 109th N. Y. Vols.), Gurley Springsteen (born in 
Windsor, 1833), Frank S. Smith (second captain Co. G, 89th vols., 
commissioned by order of Gen. Scofield. Capt. Smith now lives in 
Binghamton, and for several years has been superintendent of Ross 
Park), Stephen P. Stillwell (grandson of Stephen Stilwell, who settled 
in Windsor in 1825), Merritt Stow (son of Abel Stow, the pioneer), 
James E. Waite (a sketch of whose business life may be found among 
the factors in Binghamton history), John B. Watrous (whose family 
name is numerous in the town), Asa M. Watrous (son of Selden and 
grandson of John Watrous, the latter an early settler in Colesville), 
William W. Watrous (the old assessor, highway commissioner and 
lumberman; born in Colesville, 1829), Henry L. Watson, Robert B. 
Watson, William Wheeler (born in Windsor; lawyer; son of Franklin 
G. Wheeler, the latter a veteran lawyer in Windsor village, whose prac- 
tice continued several years after he was totally blind.) 

These were among the factors in Windsor history after the pioneers 
had laid the foundation for the permanency of the town and its institu- 
tions. In another chapter of this work will also be found a record of 
the lives and works of other persons who have contributed to local 
growth and prosperity in still later years. It is hoped, however, and 
verily believed that nearly every present resident in Windsor can trace 
relationship to some of the factors who have been mentioned on pre- 
ceding pages. 

Before leaving this branch of Windsor history it is appropriate that 
the revolutionary record of the town be furnished. Among the settlers 
were many men who served in the American army during the struggle 
for national freedom, and who afterward took up their abode in this 
part of the Susquehanna valley; and it appears that in Windsor in par- 
ticular they cast their lot, for the fertility of the lands was made known 
through the reports of Clinton's soldiers after the invasion of the val- 
ley in 1779. So far as is now known, the revolutionary soldiers, pat- 
riots every one, who came to live in Windsor were as follows: Paul 
Atwell, Israel Alden, Jonathan Andrus, James Brown, George Bay- 
less, Nathan Burlingame, John Bartis, Azel Bentley, Jasper Edwards, 
Seth Edson,Elnathan Fitch, Joel Garnsey(1791),Roswell Higley (1792), 



732 THE TOWN OF WINDSOR. 

Joseph Heath, Garner Knowlton, Joshua Knowlton, Malachi Loveland, 
Edmund Russell, Elijah Smith (1789), John Stewart (also spelled 
Stuart), Samuel Stow, (1793), and Benjamin Warner. The foregoing 
list may not be fully complete, but many families now in the town can 
undoubtedly trace their ancestry to some of the old patriots whose names 
are recorded in this chapter. It seems hardly possible that nearly 
twenty-five survivors of the American revolution should have lived in 
Windsor during the period of its early history, yet the above record 
seems to prove the truth of the statement. 

Organization. — As has been mentioned in a preceding paragraph, 
Windsor was set off from Ghenango March 27, 1807, and was duly or- 
ganized in accordance with the provisions of the creating act. The 
names of the first town officers are now unknown, owing to the unfor- 
tunate loss of early town records. 

The supervisors of Windsor, beginning with the year 1815, have been 
as follows: Jesse Doolittle, 1815; Elijah Smith, 1816-17; no record, 
1818; Thomas Blakeslee, 1819; Elijah Smith, 1820; Amraphael Hotch- 
kiss, 1821; Elias Whitmore, 1822-23; Joel Garnsey, 1824; no record, 
1825; Elijah Smith, 1826-28; Barzilla Marvin, 1829-30; Neri Blatchley, 
1831-36; George Dusenbury, 1837-40; Simeon Woodruff, 1841-42; 
Usebe Kent, 1843; Silas S. Sage, 1844-45; Anson Peet, 1846; John L, 
Graham, 1847; Henry L. Sleeper, 1848; John L. Graham, 1849; Horace 
Goodrich, 1850; Philo Comstock, 1851; Sheldon Buckingham, 1852; 
Horace B.Goodrich, 1853-54; James R.Belden, 1855; John L.Graham, 
1856; Seymour L. Judd, 1857; H. B. Goodrich, 1858; Lambert Sanford, 
1859; Whitmore Dusenbury 1860-61; William W. Dickson, 1862-64; 
William W. Hotchkiss, 1865-66; D. H. Hotchkiss, 1867-68; Joseph F. 
McCune,1869-71; Isaac Edson, 1872; George Dusenbury, 1873-74; 
Milton Knox, 1875-76; James E. Waite, 1877-78; Whitmore Dusen- 
bury, 1879; William Dusenbury, 1880; Milton Knox, 1881; James E. 
Waite, 1882-84; Austin B. Stillson, 1885-86; Jarius S. Chase, 1887-88; 
Joseph H. Brownell, 1889-90; Charles E. Van Arsdale, 1891; Joseph 
H. Brownell, 1892; William W. Watrous, 1893-95; Charles Dusenbury, 
1896-97; Joseph H. Brownell, 1898-99. 

The first justices of the peace, appointed under the constitution of 
1821, were William Seymour, David Bartow, Grover Buell, Daniel 
Blatchley and Isaac Turner. 

The officers of the town in 1899 are as follows; Joseph H. Brownell, 
supervisor; Maurice A. Tompkins, town clerk; Lewis Stannard, Jarius 



THE TOWN OF WINDSOR. 733 

S. Chase, James M. Chaffee and Charles A. Rider, justices of the peace; 
James White, James C. Beavan and Walter B. Twitchell, assessors; 
Frank Plunkett, Charles B. Hotchkiss and George L. Holcomb, high- 
way commissioners ; Oliver Russell and A. A. Buell, overseers of the 
poor; A. A. Buell, collector. 

From the days of pioneership to the present time the town of Wind- 
sor has made an interesting historical record. Its civil history began 
with its separate organization, but its history in fact dated back to the 
arrival of the advance guard of white settlement. The pioneers found 
several large areas of cleared land, with abundant traces of the still 
earlier Indian occupation. In places they noticed large, thrifty fruit 
trees, which had escaped the destroying hand of Gen, Clinton's soldiers 
These trees are said to have been exceedingly large, from which it was 
reasoned that they must have been very old, whereas they were not in 
fact more than thirty or at the very greatest more than forty years old, 
and could not have been planted earlier than 1735. 

When the pioneers came a few Indians were found in the vicinity, 
for they were loth to leave their favorite resorts in this part of the val- 
ley, where game was plenty and the river almost swarmed with fish. 
On a later occasion, one of the Hotchkiss pioneers barely escaped a per- 
sonal encounter with an Indian who had returned to the place to de- 
stroy whatever remained of the earlier occupation, but who was driven 
from his purpose by the determined action of the settler. On frequent 
other occasions the red men returned to the locality, but they were less 
demonstrative in their actions, and were content to beg food from the 
settlers' wives. Finally they departed and were seen no more. A full 
blooded Tuscarora would now be a rare sight in the town. Indeed, it 
is doubtful if any such now are found anywhere under the old tribal 

name. 

Before leaving the branch of the subject relating to settlement, it is 
also proper to treat collectively of the physicians who have practiced in 
the town, and particularly of those who were early comers to this field 
of practice. Ozias Crampton is said to have been the pioneer of the 
profession, his coming dating as early as 1791. He died in 1797. Ezekiel 
Guernsey came previous to 1800, but in a few years returned to the 
the east. Dr. Enoch Alden came in 1799, but soon removed to Oneida 
county Dr. John Moore acquired his medical education in the town 
and was licensed to practice in 1799. In 1804 he removed to Pennsyl- 
vania; thence returned and lived in Windsor two years, after which he 



734 THE TOWN OF WINDSOR. 

located in Canada. Dr. Ezra Seymour began practice in 1803 and con- 
tinued here eleven years. Dr. Lewis Allen settled here in 1805. Dr. 
Jonathan Gray came in 1806. Dr. Ammi Doubleday lived here a short 
time about 1810. Among the later physicians of the town may be re- 
called the names of Dr. Smith, about 1812; Dr. Daniel Barber, about 
1813; Dr. Daniel Cole, 1816; Dr. Andrew H. Bronson, 1824; Dr. O. T. 
Bundy, 1830; Dr. Barker, 1838; Dr. Elam Bartlett, 1838; Dr. Christo- 
pher Avery, 1839; Dr. Jesse T. Hotchkiss, native of the town; Dr. 
Isaac C. Edson, born in the town in 1823, and still living here; Dr. 
Austin B. Stillson, born *in Windsor; Dr. M. N. Smith, and others of 
more recent date, who are elsewhere mentioned. 

An interesting element in the history of the town was its early rapid 
and permanent growth in population. In 1805, while the town was a 
part of Chenango, the inhabitants numbered about 1,000 persons, and 
in 1810, three years after Windsor was created, the number had in- 
creased to 1,979. Let us note the subsequent changes in population as 
indicated by the census reports. In 1814 the population was 2,224, and 
in 1820 was 3,354. In 1821 Colesville and Sanford were created from 
Windsor, taking more than one-half its territory, and a like proportion 
of its population, hence in 1825 Windsor had only 1,929 inhabitants; in 
1830, 2,175; 1835, 2,167; 1840, 2,368; 1845, 2,490; 1850, 2,645; 1855, 
2,637; 1860, 2,672; 1865, 2,697; 1870, 2,958; 1875, 3,219; 1880, 3,286; 
1890, 3,035; 1892, 3,017. 

Thus it is seen that Windsor's growth continued until about 1880, 
when the maximum population of recent years was attained. Since that 
year the town has lost about 200 inhabitants from the several causes 
that have decreased the number in nearly all agricultural towns in the 
state. 

During the first half of the century Windsor enjoyed a special prom- 
inence as one of the leading lumber producing towns on the Susque- 
hanna. In connection with the period of this production the town was 
supplied with numerous saw mills, nearly all of which were run by water 
power. Later on came the steam saw mill, the latter not having en- 
tirely disappeared at the present day. The first saw mill is said to have 
been built by Nathan Lane previous to 1800, and he also is credited 
with having built the first grist mill in the town about the same time. 
" Lane's mills," a little way above Windsor village was for many years 
a place of industry. Pioneers Doolittle and Hotchkiss (Amraphael) 
were also early grist mill owners in the town, but to follow all the 



THE TOWN OF WINDSOR. 735 

changes of the century of the town's history and note the ownership of 
each mill would be a task now impossible. It is therefore sufficient to 
state that in earlier years, in addition to those already mentioned, Jesse 
and Uri Doolittle, Julius Edwards, Henry Williams, Rodney and Will- 
iam Guernsey, Richard Randall, John Dusenbury, Grover Buell, Phineas 
Doolittle, Henry and David Doolittle, Isaac Higley, James E. Waite 
and Joseph H. Brownell have been in the past prominently connected 
with saw milling industries in Windsor. Stiles Hotchkiss was an early 
distiller, and the product of his still enjoyed an excellent reputation 
throughout the valley. 

■ These industries, with the early rapid growth of the town, necessitated 
the establishment of several internal improvements, among the first 
being a ferry across the Susquehanna, on the old stage route. In 1813 
George Wilson secured permission to construct a dam across the river 
at Windsor village. Uri Doolittle secured a privilege in 1831 for an- 
other dam, and Elmore Russell another in 1826. In April, 1831, George 
Harpur, Phineas Walker, Aaron Markham and others, were authorized 
to construct a toll bridge in Windsor, "at or near where the present road 
crosses the river at Wallersville postoffice." The bridge, however, was 
not built by the so-called " Wallersville company. " The Windsor bridge 
company was incorporated April 23, 1823, by Amraphael, Cyrus and 
Gideon Hotchkiss, Uri and Jesse Doolittle, John and William Edwards, 
John C. and Barzilla Marvin, William Seymour and Leverett Russell. 
This company built the first toll bridge, but in later years the structure 
was at least twice rebuilt before the toll system was abolished. 

As early as 1835 Windsor was a thoroughly progressive town, and 
had a great variety of interests. Then the town contained 13,297 acres 
of improved and 38,570 acres of unimproved land, and its total assessed 
valuation was $189,000 ($177,734 real and $10,266 personal). As evi- 
dence of subsequent material growth it is interesting to note that in 1899 
Windsor was assessed $1,173,550 on real and $83,375 on personal prop- 
erty. In 1835 the inhabitants of the town owned 2,879 head of neat 
cattle 523 horses, 5,040 sheep, 1,675 swine. In that year there was 
made in the town 3,919 yards of fulled cloth, 5,351 yards of flannel, 
and 7,229 yards of cotton and linen cloths. The town then had two 
grist mills, 15 saw mills, 1 fulling mill, 1 carding machine, 1 distillery, 
1 rope works, and two tanneries. A couple of grist mills and as many 
saw mills are now in existence, but no other of the character of indus- 
tries mentioned above now are in operation in the town. 



736 THE TOWN OF WINDSOR. 

Fifteen saw mills were in operation in 1835; twenty years later the 
number had decreased to twelve, but lumbering as a special industry 
continued until the beginning of the war of 1861-5. During that period 
agricultural pursuits gained and ever since have maintained the ascend- 
ancy over other occupations. Soon after the war Windsor took a prom- 
inent p3sition among the farming towns of Broome county, and with 
the possible exception of Union, it has ever since ranked first. The lack 
of early transportation facilities operated against the people for many 
years, and the construction of the N. Y. , L. E. & W. railroad across 
the southeast corner of the town afforded very little relief. In 1872 the 
D. & H. railroad was built through the valley and furnished direct con- 
nection with the A. & S. and the Erie railroads, on the north and south, 
and thereby greatly enhanced the value and importance of all local in- 
dustrial interests. 

"Broome county in the war of 1861-65," is made thesubject of an ex- 
tended chapter in this volume. But in writing of Windsor history it is 
almost necessary to note briefly the military record of the town, which 
furnished a total of nearly 300 men for the service. In Co. C, 89th N. 
Y. Inf., were 89 Windsor men, under command, first, of Captain Sey- 
mour L. Judd, and, second, Captain Frank S. Smith, both Windsor 
men. In Co. B., 137th Inf., were 41, and in Co. F., 16 Windsor men. 
In other companies of the same regiment were 16 more men, while 
in other commands were 67 men from the town. 

Schools. — The inhabitants of this town ever have been mindful of the 
educational welfare of their youth, and on all occasions have made gen- 
erous provision for the support of public schools. Naturally, much in- 
terest attaches to the Windsor academy, which during its palmy days 
of ten was mentioned as a "nursery of genius," in allusion to the dis- 
tinguished prominence which was attained by several of its old-time 
pupils. The early records relating to the town schools have been im- 
perfectly kept, hence little that is of value can be learned of them. 
There was no real town system of schools earlier than 1814, and the 
earliest record dates back to 1817, when under Commissioners Joel 
Garnsey, George Wilson and Thomas Blakeslee the territory comprised 
27 districts, and the school children within the prescribed ages, num- 
bered 694. In 1838 the districts numbered 15, while the number of 
children between the ages of 5 and 16 years, was 730. In 1838 there 
was apportioned to the town for school purposes $418.96. In 1899 the 
town comprised 24 districts, each of which was (and still is) provided 



THE TOWN OF WINDSOR. 737 

with a suitable school house. In that year there were received for 
school purposes a total of $10,974.35, of which the sum of $3,114.48 
was apportioned from the state public moneys and $5,965.65 was raised 
by tax. During the year the sum of $7,966.48 was paid to teachers. 
The school census showed 674 children; number of books in libraries 
1,400. 

VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. 

Windsor.— This village was incorported in 1897, under the provisions 
of the act of the legislature passed in 1896. It contains 733 acres (1 and 
93-640 square miles) of land and 800 inhabitants. However, the his- 
tory of Windsor as a trading center dates back to about 1830, when 
through the influence of Elias Whitmore the hamlet was removed 
from Oquaga to the settlement two miles further down the river, the 
latter then taking the name of "Windsor Village," by which it since has 
been known. John Dusenbury was a pioneer settler and probably the 
pioneer merchant at the upper village, having located there in 1816. 
The Doolittles and the Springsteens also were early families in the 
Oquaga locality. George Dusenbury's first purchase of real estate in- 
cluded the island in the river at this point, and in later years he became 
not only an extensive land owner in the town, but also one of its most 
influental, wealthy and prominent citizens. Previous to 1825 Oquaga 
had Daniel Stow's tavern, started in 1815, Harvey Perkins' tannery, 
John Dusenbury's store, one or two other and smaller stores, one grist 
and two saw mills, a school house and a postoffice. It was a flourish- 
ing hamlet and an important trade center, but when about 1830 Elias 
Whitmore laid out a village tract on the site of Windsor, he had little 
difficulty in attracting settlement to that more desirable locality. About 
1831 both Elias Whitmore and George Dusenbury began mercantile 
business here, and within the short space of two years Windsor vil- 
lage gained the supremacy over Oquaga, acquired the postoffice and be- 
came the recognized trading and business center of the town . Mr. 
Whitmore had opened a tavern on the village site (where afterward 
stood George Dusenbury's residence) as early as 1815. 

Among the early factors in Windsor history, there may be recalled 
the names of Mr. Whitmore and Mr. Dusenbury, James R. Belden 
(merchant), Isaac A. Tompkins (boot and shoe dealer both at Oquaga 
and Windsor, and who was succeeded by his son Maurice A. Tompkins, 
a present merchant, also both town and village clerk), E. C. Sleeper 
47 



738 THE TOWN OF WINDSOR. 

(merchant), J. M. Chaffee (general store), J. E. Bennett (father of Wal- 
ton L. and Willard B. Bennett), Jarkis S. Chase (early and present 
merchant), Dr. Austin B. Stillson (physician and druggist), N. B. 
Chase (the old harness maker). There were also D. Beckwith, Mr. 
Osborn, Lewis Hulburt, Jacob Bullock, Benj. Burge and others, who, 
early and late, carried on blacksmithing. The old hostelry afterward 
known as the National hotel dates its history back to about 1830, when 
its landlord probably was Enos Rexford. Later proprietors were Sim- 
eon Woodruff, Bragg & Baldwin, Hiram Johnson, Mr. Garlow, George 
Booth, Albert Way and Montgomery & Crawford. The Eagle hotel 
also dates back to 1831, and was built by David Hoadley. In 1844 it 
was owned by Adin W. Coburn, but had several earlier and later 
proprietors. 

It undoubtedly is true that the business interests were as many and 
as important in 1865 as at the present time. Thirty-five years ago the 
village was filled with men w"ho were operating in various enterprises, 
and while some of them were not residents in the village they were 
counted as part of the local population. At the time mentioned the 
principal interests were as follows: J. W. Freeman, physician and sur- 
geon; R. W. Moore, prop'r National hotel; W. A. Haynes, prop'r Eagle 
hotel; A. W. Coburn, whip manufacturer; R. & W. Guernsey, house 
and bridge builders, and proprietors of planing, turning and saw mills ; 
R. Guernsey, justice of the peace; George Dusenbury, general store; 
English & Munger, groceries, flour and boots and shoes; William Doo- 
little, government assessor, commission dealer and lumberman ; H. L. 
Sleeper & Co., carriage makers; Hunt & Fisher, founders and plow 
makers; L. Sanford, house and bridge builder; G. W. Andrews, furni- 
ture maker; N. B. Beckwith and E. L. Smith, shoe dealers and mak- 
ers; H. A. & H. J. Darling, wagons, carriages and lumber; S. Corn- 
stock, lumberman; E. R. Barton, manf'r of well curbs; E. Carrier, 
lumber dealer; E. S. Man warren, stock dealer; D. B. Heath, rake fac- 
tory, three miles from the village. 

The manufacture of whips has been a notable industry of Windsor, 
and has brought both fame and money to the village. In 1854 Adin 
W. Coburn was a shoemaker in the town, and in connection with his 
work he began selling whips. He then learned how to make whips 
and found that his own product sold as well as those made outside the 
town. Having accumulated a little capital, he next employed a prac- 
tical whip maker, Rufus Morey, by name, whom he brought here from 



THE TOWN OF WINDSOR. 739 

Westfield, Mass., and then set up a little shop in the village. The 
business soon increased to large proportions, and proved of great bene- 
fit to the village, and likewise brought a fortune to Mr. Coburn. 

In 1872 Mr. Coburn sold his works to I. G. Owen, and in the foll(nv- 
ing year built a new factory and began business under the firm name 
of A. W. Coburn & Co. But Mr. Coburn died in 1877, and the plant 
soon afterward passed into the hands of William Harris. The latter 
sold to John G. Fisher and he, in turn, to Randall & Goodnough, who 
disposed of the plant to the United States Whip company, otherwise 
known as the "whip trust." The works are constantly run at full 
capacity and employ 35 or 40 men. 

Now, let us briefly note the other present business interests of the 
village, not for the purpose of comparison with those of earlier years, 
but rather as a matter of reference for future use: George D. Brownell, 
stoves, furniture and undertaking; H. A. Barton, meats; Jarius S. 
Chase, furnishings, boots and shoes, groceries, and village postmaster; 
Cook & Buell, barbers and cigar dealers ; Dusenbury & Lyons, druggists ; 
Montgomery & Crawford, livery and pool room; Judd & Wheat, gro- 
ceries and provisions; Henry W. Manwarren, stoves and general hard- 
ware; Nathan B. Chase, harness maker; W, D. Osgood, publisher 
Windsor Standard; J. E. Bennett, general store ; Maurice E. Tompkins, 
boots and shoes, jeweler, town and village clerk; E. C. Sleeper, gen- 
eral store; J. C. Elliott, dry goods and notions; Charles A. Roberts, 
groceries; H. R. Rider, tinware; I. E. Simpkins, confectionery and 
notions; O. F. Prentice, flour and feed; W. F. Walters, cigar manufac- 
turer; F. O. Stearns, steam grist mill, established about eight years 
ago by Elmer King; Ira Stow, prop. Windsor mill, the old "water 
power mill," as best known; Herbert Woodworth, prop. Windsor house; 
W. S. Hinds, prop. Eagle hotel. 

The village also has four churches— Presbyterian, Methodist Episco- 
pal, Protestant Episcopal and Free Methodist— and an excellent aca- 
demic school, the latter being the outgrowth of the still older Windsor 
academy, which has been mentioned as a "nursery of genius," in allu- 
sion to the men of mark who once attended the school. 

Windsor Academy.— This once famous institution was incorporated 
in May, 1837, with Franklin G. Wheeler, Andrew J. Bronson, Carver 
Hotchkiss, George Dusenbury, Giles Orcutt, David Hoadley, Nathan P. 
Walker, Gideon Hotchkiss and Enos B. Rexford as the first board of 
trustees. Among the prominent men of the village who were mter- 



740 THE TOWN OF WINDSOR. 

ested in the enterprise, but who were not of the officiary, were Dr. O. 
T. Bundy, James Y. Brown, James P. Abbott, Benj. H. Russell, Hiram 
W. Gilbert, Jeremiah Hull, Grover Buell, Julius Edwards and Henry 
L. Sleeper. 

The first academy building was the village Congregational church 
edifice, erected in 1800, torn down in 1840, and re-erected for the pur- 
poses of the school. It was formally opened for its new occupancy, 
Nov. 9, 1845, with a good attendance of pupils under the principalship 
of Mr. Parmalee. From that time until the latter part of 1867 the 
school was one of the best institutions of learning in the count}'-, and 
during that period its course of instruction was under the direction of 
Mr. Parmalee, Rev. W. H. Miller (with Mrs. Miller as preceptress), 
Morris P. Barteau, Charles J. Lathrop, Rev. Adam Craig (pastor of the 
" old school " Presbyterian church), Rev. Henry Osborne, James A. 
Robinson, Albert S. Wheeler, Rev. Adam Craig, Rev. Henry Rinker, 
Rev. Joseph B. Eastman, Charles Eastman, C. W. Cary, Nelson Wilber, 
who served in the order mentioned. On March 3, 1868, the trustees 
resolved to sell the building to the trustees of the Union school district, 
and soon afterward completed the transfer. 

The Windsor Union graded school (district No. 1) succeeded the 
academy and was opened in the spring of 1868. Since that time its 
affairs have been managed by a board of education from the foremost 
men of the village. In educational circles it is known as one of the best 
Union schools in Broome county, outside of the city of Binghamton. It 
is liberally supported, and draws a number of pupils from the towns 
outside of the district. Five competent teachers were employed in 
1899. The census of the district shows 189 children of school age. In 
the year mentioned this school received $289.97 from the regents, and 
$160.45 from non-resident pupils. The new brick academy building 
was erected in 1884. 

The present board of education comprises A. M. Keys, president; W. 
S. Smith, secretary; and T. V. Furman, U. T. Wooster, George W. 
Cook, C. A. Roberts, H. W. Lynch, J. A. Pethick and W. H. Smith. 
Principal of the school, Charles W. Vanderberg. 

The Press. — The Windsor Times was founded in 1873 by William 
Haley, who, three months later associated in its publication with A. E. 
Benedict. Mr. Haley soon retired after which Mr. Benedict continued 
the paper about one year. 

The Windsor Advance started in 1875 by S. C. Clizbe, but at the end 



THE TOWN OF WINDSOR. 741 

of three months the enterprising founder turned over the paper to his 
foreman, Lewis Brown, in payment for wages. In the course of a few 
more months an Afton lawyer seized the Advance establishment on a 
chattel mortgage, removed it from the village, and resolved the paper in- 
to the Afton Sentinel, a Chenango county publication. 

The Windsor Standard, one of the best country newspapers published 
in Broome county, was started in May, 1878, by Charles E. Babcock, a 
practical newspaper man, who made his venture a success from the out- 
set. He succeeded where his predecessors had failed, and to-day the 
Standard is a healthful, interesting paper, deservedly enjoying a good 
circulation, and what is still better, a liberal advertising patronage. 
Mr. Babcock planted firmly and well, continued the paper many years, 
and then was succeeded by W. D. Osgood, the present publisher of the 
Standard. 

The Windsor Cemetery association was incorporated May 15, 1882. 
The Windsor Village Cemetery association was incorporated February 
27, 1889. The Windsor Fire, Hook and Ladder company was incor- 
porated December 15, 1890. 

The Windsor Water Works company was incorporated May 16, 1885, 
(capital $70,000), by Austin B. Stillson, president; W. H. Chubb, sec- 
retary; Simon P. Quick, Pinckney A. English, K. E. Hotchkiss, HA. 
Barton, C. M. Comstock, Jarius S. Chase and M. N. Smith. The company 
constructed a water supply system for the village, although in recent 
years its affairs were chiefly controlled by Isaac Ferguson. However, 
in 1899, the village became owner of the plant, paying therefor the sum 
of $20,000 (which amount also made certain extensions and improve- 
ments). The works are under control of the village trustees. 

The present village officers are as follows: T. V. Furman, pres- 
ident; B. S. Anderson and Charles Dusenbury, trustees; Maurice 
A. Tompkins, clerk; George B. Brownell, treasurer; James Fisher, 
collector, 

IVest Windsor.— This hamlet is located on a branch of Fitch's creek, 
about six miles west of Windsor village, and has been a post-office sta- 
tion on the stage route since about 1840. Originally this was a lumber- 
ing region and the operation of the mills led to the hamlet settlement. 
Among the men prominently connected with the history of the locality 
there may be mentioned the names of Charles Rose, Lewis Riley, Dan- 
iel Phillips, James Lovejoy, Jared Woodward, J. C. Lovejoy, Sherman 
Chase, B. Chase, Barney Alden, Lyman Stillson (for whom Stillson 



'742 THE TOWN OF WINDSOR. 

Hollow was named), John Weeks, Loren Dyer, Edson Pease, Albert 
Severson, Daniel Jackson, Hiram Estus and Charles A. Rider. Mr. 
Rider has kept a general store here nearly thirty years, and has been 
an active factor in the history of the place; and is at present postmas- 
ter. In this locality is a Baptist church and a district school. A good 
cheese factory, owned by an incorporated stock company, was estab- 
lished here in 1878, and still is in successful operation. 

East Windsor. — This hamlet and post-office is a station on the D. & 
H. railroad, three miles north of Windsor village. It practically owes 
its existence to the railroad. The post office was established about 1872, 
M. Dickinson being the first postmaster. Abel Tompkins and H. Dib- 
ble were among the early factors in local history. The present mer- 
chants are George H. English and J. W. Davenport. 

Damascus, formerly Tuscarora and still earlier Baldwinsville, is a 
hamlet comprising a cluster of dwellings, two stores and one or two 
small shops, situated about two miles south of Windsor village, in the 
vicinity where Horace Williams settled about 1815. William Crandall, 
for whom the settlement was first named, once owned a tannery here. 
Jarius S. Chase acquired an interest in the business in 1858, became 
owner in the next year, and operated the works until 1867. This once 
was a lumbering locality, and several saw mills were operated from 
time to time James E. Waite built a steam mill here in 1873, in con- 
nection with his extensive lumbering enterprises in other places. The 
present business interests of the hamlet comprise the stores of M. K. 
Whipple and E. H. Swingle. 

Lester, formerly Randolph Centre and originally Griggs' Settlement, 
is situated in a good farming locality, about four miles southwest of 
Windsor village, in the vicinity where pioneer Samuel Rexford settled 
previous to 1790, and in the vicinity also where Frederick Goodell, Jo- 
seph Griggs and Joseph Brown were prominent early residents. The 
settlement derived its original name from Joseph Griggs, who then was 
an important personage in the town. Among the later factors in the 
history of the place were B. H. Larrabee, Leman Judd and Alvin Ham- 
lin. The present interests of Lester comprise the post-office, the cream- 
ery and the Baptist church. 

Edson is the name of a post-office in the southwest part of the town, 
about four miles distant from the principal village of Windsor. It has 
one store, kept by A. B. Barton. 

Wake is a post-office in the south part of the town, across the river 



THE TOWN OP TRIANGLE 743 

from Damascus, and is a hamlet of comparatively recent origin. The 
store here is kept by W. Benedict. 

Ocannum is a post-office about half-way between Windsor and West 
Windsor. It is without business interests other than that carried on by 
the thrifty farmers of the locality. 

Cascade Valley \s, a post-office on the line of the Erie railroad in the 
extreme southeast part of the town. 

State Line is a post-office in the south part of the town, a short dis- 
tance below Wake. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 

THE TOWN OF TRIANGLE. 



On April 18, 1831, the legislature passed "an act to divide the town 
of Lisle," and thereby created three new towns, Triangle, Nanticoke and 
Barker, from the mother territory. The act also directed that the first 
town meeting in Triangle be held at the house of George Wheeler, and 
made similar provisions for the election of officers in the other towns. 

The triangular shaped region of country between the Chenango and 
Tioughnioga rivers and south of the Military tract and the Chenango 
Twenty townships, was patented by the state to Col. William Smith, 
and was named, or at least called, the " Chenango Triangle," in allu- 
sion to its psculiar outline. The tract comprised many thousand acres 
of land and included the towns of Smithville and part of Greene, in 
Chenango county, and Triangle and part of Barker, in Broome county. 

Triangle is one of the few towns in the county, the area of which has 
not been reduced by other formations. It contains 25,266 acres of land, 
of as good quality for general agricultural purposes as can be found in 
the county. The surface is comprised of rolling, hilly upland, the al- 
titudes ranging from 300 to 550 feet above the Chenango river. The 
soil in the valley is a rich loam, the quality being particularly notice- 
able in the valley of the Otselic, where is found the most durable and 
fertile soil in the county. The hilltops are less fertile, yet produce an 
excellent quality of upland grass and also afford superior grazing areas. 
The farmers evidently have fully appreciated this value of the pasture 



744 THE TOWN OF TRIANGLE. 

lands, for away back in 1835, when hardly more than 10,000 acres of 
the town's land was improved, they kept more than 3,000 sheep and 
more than 1,200 swine on these upland areas. Indeed it was this very 
thriftiness on the part of the early settlers that half a century ago 
placed Triangle among the foremost towns of Broome county. This 
standing never has been lost, although the town's people have had to 
contend against many embarrassing obstacles. 

The pioneer of Triangle was General John Patterson, one of the orig- 
inal proprietors of the Boston Ten Towns, a Berkshire county, Mass., 
Yankee of great determination and of excellent mental qualities. He 
had served in the American army during the revolution, and acquired 
the title of brigadier-general. General Patterson lived for a time on the 
Lisle tract, but in 1791 he built and occupied a log house on the site of 
Whitney's Point, his dwelling standing where the Beach house after- 
ward was built. He died in 1808, His wife was Hannah, daughter of 
Deacon Josiah Lee, another early settler who is said to have come to 
this locality with the pioneer. 

David Seymour, senior, with his sons, David and Ira, and also John 
Seymour, settled here in 1792, all locating on the site of Whitney's 
Point, in which vicinity they were prominent figures in early history; 
but John Seymour had previously lived in the town of Union, where he 
was a pioneer. Some of the best men of the county in later years were 
descendants from the Seymour families of Triangle. 

Thomas Whitney, for whom Whitney's Point was named, came here 
in 1802, and at once took a prominent position among the pioneers. 
Upon the death of Gen. Patterson, the local settlement lost its original 
name of " Patterson's Settlement," and in its stead was adopted the 
name of Whitney's Point, in allusion to the standing of Thomas Whit- 
ney in the community, for, being an innkeeper, he was a man of more 
than ordinary prominence among the settlers. He was a kinsman of 
the Whitneys who located first on the west side of the Chenango river, 
on Whitney's Flats, just north of Binghamton. 

Josiah Patterson, son of the general, came to this locality about 1800, 
and is remembered as landlord of a tavern on the Beach house site, 
where he lived several years previous to his removal west. His wife 
was a daughter of Gen. Hyde, the latter being one of the prominent 
family for whom " Hyde Settlement " was named. 

Having thus mentioned the names and recalled something of the 
works of the pioneers of Triangle, it is proper that some allusion be 



THE TOWN OF TRIANGLE. 745 

made to those who followed them into the territory of the town, for it 
was not alone the deeds of the earliest settlers that made the town what 
it was three-quarters of a century ago, but rather the result of the 
united action of all the thrifty inhabitants of the region. Our mention 
of these settlers, however, must be brief, for it is not the purpose of 
this work to descant at length upon the works of the pioneers alone to 
the disregard of factors in the subsequent history of the town. 

Charles A. Seymour, grandson of Gen. Patterson and descendant of 
the Seymours who have been mentioned, was born in the town in 1808, 
and afterward was a conspicuous figure in local history. Daniel A. 
Wheeler, another early settler, best served his townsmen in the erection 
of a grist mill on the afterward know Burghardt farm. This mill proved 
a great boon to all the settlers, for they previously were compelled to 
travel over to Castle Creek for the family "grist," or voyage down the 
river to the Tioga county borders. Martha Seymour, daughter of John 
Seymour, is deserving of mention in these annals, she having opened a 
little school in 1793. Later on the worthy teacher married Briant Stod- 
dard, one of Union's foremost men. Philo Pease was another worthy 
early settler. Captain Salmon Rose, who was anotherearly settler here, 
first came to the region in 1787 with his brother, Col.WilHam Rose, and 
purchased land from the Indians, intending to locate on the west side 
of the Chenango, about four miles above Binghamton. Under the law, 
however, the Rose title proved invalid, and thus being stripped of all 
their property they came up the river, Capt. Rose settling in this town, 
where he was an industrious, useful citizen. 

Among the other early settlers in the town there may be mentioned 
Ashbel Olmsted (1800), Nathaniel Hays (for whom Hays' Settlement 
was named), Benjamin Jackson (in whose humble domicile early relig- 
ious worship was held by the Methodist class), Benjamin Gibbs (a black- 
smith), Andrew Woodruff (whose son was the late Rev. Jeremiah Wood- 
ruff), David Gibbs (a carpenter), Timothy Clark (once a prominent jus- 
tice of the peace), David Clark (frequently called " Colonel " Clark, who 
started a small tannery in town), Levi Woodruff, Dr. Edwards, George 
Beckwith (land agent for Peter Smith, father of Gerrit Smith), Ira 
Slater (tavern keeper), Elisha Boyington (1811), Asa Whitney, Asa Taft, 
John Parker (an old revolutionary patriot), Edmund Hazard (for whom 
Hazard's Corners was named), Hamilton Boyington, Jared Taft, Samuel 
Terry (a grist miller), Samuel Ticknor, Reuben Hall, Francis Clough, 
Reuben Chase, Joseph Covey, Hope Covey, John Covey, Erasmus 
Ballard. 



746 THE TOWN OF TRIANGLE. 

In the Page brook locality the early settlers were Elon Green (who 
came to the region in 1792 and to this tov/n in 1804), Anson Dickinson, 
George Ashby, Orrin Dickinson, Alexander Ranney, Hadsall Johnson, 
Jacent Hall (who came from Connecticut and was an early school teacher), 
Solomon Page (who became a considerable land owner and a prominent 
man in the town ; and for whom Page brook was named), Stephen 
Bronson, Timothy Bidwell, Titus Page, John Page, J. G. Spencer, the 
Hall family. Miner Howland, B. Alton, Joshua Baker (1804), Asa Lewis, 
John Baker, the Lampmans, I. Elliot, Joseph Madison, Joseph Stick- 
ney, Solomon Johnson. 

Among the old residents in the Otselic valley were Seth Dickinson 
(who in 1800 came here with his family on an ox sled. Mr. Dickinson 
for years had a tannery in town), Capt. Obadiah Dickinson (father of 
Seth, who came later than his son, and who was father of eight chil- 
dren who were well known in subsequent Triangle history), Roswell 
Dickinson, William Whitney, Jacob Coburn (owner of an early saw 
mill), David Smith (who purchased the Coburn improvement and added 
to it a carding and fulling mill aud also a grist mill), Amos Smith, 
William Cook, Scott Baldwin, John Peck (1816), and others whose names 
are lost with the lapse of years. 

In the locality commonly known as "the Point," where the rivers 
join, the early residents were David Cornwall, Treat Spears, David 
Smith, Hector Craig, William Collins (father of Graves Collins, and the 
latter father of Alonzo Collins), John Johnson (a soldier of the revolu- 
tion, who came here in 1802 and died here in 1834. He was the father 
of John Johnson, the latter having gained both prominence and wealth 
in the town), Thomas Taber (a Quaker from Dutchess county, and one 
of whose daughters married J. Warren Merchant, formerly of De Ruy- 
ter and novv^f Binghamton), Ambrose L. Marcy (cousin of Gov. Marcy), 
Benjamin Smith (who came here about 1797), Sherman Page (son of 
Asa Page, and a native of the town), Aaron Day, Henry Burghardt (a 
blacksmith, who came in 1817), John Burghardt (tanner, miller and 
farmer), Rufus Park, Allen C. Jeffords (an old teacher), Daniel Spauld- 
ing, Ransom Thurston, Mr. Hackett, Samuel Hinman, Jonathan Lewis 
(a prominent man in town history), the Ticknors and the Richards (who 
were related by marriage), Ahial Clark (1819), Thomas Canfield, Lewis 
Perkins, John Hackett, Charles Burt (colored, born on board of a slave 
ship bound in from the Bermudas in 1775. His lands here he held un- 
der a life lease to himself and wife from Gerrit Smith. Burt attained 
the remarkable age of 108 years). 



THE TOWN OF TRIANGLE. 747 

In that part of the town in which is situated the once popularly known 
" Connecticut Hill " (so named from the fact that nearly all the settlers 
there came from the "Nutmeg" state) the early settlers were Walter 
Peck, Moses Rogers, George Sly, Ira Fuller, Capt. Nathaniel Rogers 
(settled here in 1808; a soldier of 1812-15, in which war he won a cap- 
tain's commission), Earlman Rogers, Captain Amos Johnson (who 
came in 1807 with his family, traveling the entire distance from Con- 
necticut on an ox sled. Capt. Johnson was an influential man in the 
town, and was prominently identified with the construction of the Cats- 
kill and Ithaca turnpike, in which work he, as contractor, lost his for- 
tune), Marcus Hart (one of the earliest settlers on the hill), Deacon 
William Shuart, Samuel Clark, Hezekiah Austin, Captain Daniel Sax- 
ton (who came from Long Island in 1823 and a settler on the turnpike), 
Martin Hastings, Leonard Rose, Albert Seymour, Stephen Austin, 
Solomon Page, P. Bliss, S. Alexander, Samuel Willard, Robert Austin, 
G. W. Mitchell, Samuel McKay, Eben and Robert Bliss, and others. 

Referring generally to other early settlers, without especial regard 
to their location in the town, there may be mentioned the names of 
William Johnson (an old teacher), A. C. Woodruff, Timothy Woodruff, 
David Fuller, Samuel Brockway, I. Dings and Mr. Black, the latter 
once being owner of a distillery. 

Before leaving this branch of our present subject, in order that the 
reader may know the names of as many as possible of the actual factors 
in Triangle history, it is proposed to add here the names of men who 
in more years contributed to the welfare and prosperity of the town. 
Many of those mentioned were descendants of pioneers and early settlers, 
while others came into the town in comparatively recent years, but all 
are entitled to some recognition in these annals. In this connection 
mention may be made of Fred E. Allen, the merchant, son of James 
Allen; Jesse P. Ames, a native of Nanticoke, son of John Ames, the 
pioneer; R. B. Arnold, the old deputy provost marshal and a prom- 
inent man in town affairs; S. E. Birdsall, the well known manufacturer, 
of whom further mention is made; Eli B. Black, George A. Day, the 
old supervisor and justice of the peace; William Deming, formerly of 
Parsons & Deming, merchants; Alonzo C. Graves, the well known 
farmer in the Upper Lisle district of this town; Franklin C. Hazzard, 
an extensive farmer, son of Edmund Hazzard; Frederick W. Martin, 
(sheriff), Henry A. Muckle, of the former firm of Birdsall & Muckle; 
Horace W. Parsons, Joseph S. Parsons, Cyrus Page, born in the town 



748 THE TOWN OF TRIANGLE. 

in 1830, an excellent farmer of 200 acres (Elmore G. and Maurice Page, 
lawyers in Binghamton, are sons of Cyrus Page); C, O. Parsons, mer- 
chant of Whitney's Point, and prominently identified for years with the 
County Agricultural society; Sherman Paige, who was born in Triangle 
in 1799 and died in 1882; Orrin Smith, grandson of Isaac and son of 
William Smith; Jasper Smith (supervisor six years), Isaac Taft, who 
came here in 1831; Lewis Taft, the merchant, born in Triangle in 1818, 
son of Asa Taft; George S. Ticknor, born in Triangle in 1827, son of 
Samuel Ticknor, and William D. Wilcox, who came to Triangle in 1852. 
Still other names might be added to the list, but they will be found re- 
called on later pages. 

The early physicians of Triangle were Dr. Daniel A. Wheeler, who 
came to the town about 1796 or '97; Dr. Isaiah Chapman, who settled 
at Upper Lisle in 1799 or 1800; Dr. Gains L. Spencer, who came here 
in 1817; Dr. Asahel Todd, who located at Upper Lisle in 1811, and in 
1817 was partner with Dr. Pelatiah B. Brooks, who in that year began 
practice at the Upper village; Dr. S. M. Hunt, who left Upper Lisle 
and settled at Killawog; Dr. John Arnold, who came to Whitney's Point 
about 1826 and in the next year built the Dr. Hemingway residence; 
Dr. John Hall, who succeeded Dr. Hunt in 1830; Dr. Harry Heming- 
way, who came to the " Point " in 1837 and for many years afterward 
was identified with the best history of the village and town; Dr. Geo. 
A. Wattles, who practiced at Whitney's Point from 1832 to 1836; Dr. 
Saramis, whose stay here was very brief; Dr. R. O. Williams, who set- 
tled at Upper Lisle about 1861; Dr. A. F. Taylor, who came in 1869; 
Dr. F. D. Gridley, who is now in practice in Binghamton; Dr. C. R. 
Rogers, who removed from Whitney's Point to Newark Valley; Dr Sol- 
omon P, Allen, now of Lestershire; and also Dr, O. C. Hall, Dr. George 
N. Hall, Dr. Benj. Kinyon, Dr. G. W. Bosworth, and the others of more 
recent date in the town. 

The records of Tuscarora chapter, D. A. R., disclose the following 
names of patriots of the revolution who afterward came to live in the 
town of Triangle: William Cook, Thomas Green, Elijah Gaylord (1829), 
Ephraim Hodge (1807), John Johnson, Benjamin Johnson (1810), Gen. 
John Patterson (also mentioned in Lisle history), William Matthewson 
(1807), John Parker, Nathaniel Rogers (1810), John Seymour, Joseph 
Sanford, Stephen Seymour, Philo Woodruff, James Whitney. 

From all that is stated on preceding pages it must be seen that the 
settlement and development of the lands of this town was rapidly ac- 



THE TOWN OF TRIANGLE. 



r49 



complished, and that the division of the mother territory of Lisle in 
1831, was actually necessary for the proper administration of affairs 
That division resolved Lisle into four nearly equal parts. Triangle con- 
stituting the northeast corner section, and having in 1830 about 1 000 
inhabitants. The subsequent growth of the town is fairly indicated by 
the following extracts from the census reports: 

In 1835, the town, then being four years old (as a separate jurisdiction) 
contained 1,669 inhabitants; 1840, 1,692; 1845, 1,749; 1850 1 728- 1855* 
1,784; 1860, 1,693; 1865, 1,875; 1870, 1,944; 1875, 2,119; 1880' 2073' 
1890, 1,879; 1892, 1,879. It is a fact worthy of note that the federal 
census of 1890 and the " political " enumeration of 1893 showed Tri- 
angle to contain exactly the same number of inhabitants. 

From 1820 to about 1865 Triangle was one of the best lumbering 
regions of southern New York. Its territory originally was thickly 
covered with a heavy growth of timber, and lumbering and rafting 
were occupations as closely followed as farming; and the statement 
may be made with little fear of contradiction that fortunes were more 
quickly made in lumbering and its kindred pursuits than in farming. 
The Otselic was easily navigable for the largest log and lumber rafts, 
while the Tioughnioga for nearly half a century was a famous water- 
way for the operations of hundreds of enterprising lumbermen. 

In 1835 ten saw mills were in active operation in this town alone, and 
nearly the entire product of all of them was shipped down the river to 
markets in Pennsylvania and Maryland. But at that time lumbering 
was not the only industry of the town, as there were also two large 
grist mills, two fulling mills, two cotton machines, and four tanneries 
in constant operation. Agriculture was by no means neglected for 10,- 
540 acres of land were under improvement, and the farmers owned 
2,917 head of neat cattle, 486 horses, 3,068 sheep, and 1,329 swine. In 
the year 1835 there was made in the town 1,400 yards of fulled cloth, 
3,118 yards of flannel cloth and 2,100 yards of cotton and linen cloths. 
Not one of these manufactured articles is now produced in the town ; 
few saw mills are now in operation; no fulling or cloth mills are here 
now ; the tanneries are things of the past, and the grist mills produce 
little more than buckwheat flour and feed. Yet during the subsequent 
years Triangle has not retrograded, and the passing of one industry 
has been followed by the establishment of others of equal importance, 
and thus the early enviable prominence of the town ever has been loy- 
ally maintained by its inhabitants. 



750 THE TOWN OF TRIANGLE. 

Schools. — The people of Triangle always have felt great interest in 
building up and maintaining schools of excellent standing. When the 
town was organized from Lisle the common schools of the region were 
a part of the system then in vogue in the older town, and Lisle always 
provided generously for the education of its youth. Triangle followed 
the custom thus early established, and its first town commissioners had 
only to rearrange the district boundaries to suit the new conditions. 
In 1835 there were eleven districts, and school was taught seven months 
during the year. The town received $187.87 of the state public school 
moneys. The number of children taught during the year was 584. 
The census showed 437 children of school age in the town. 

According to the present disposition of school interests, the town 
comprises 13 districts, two of which have no school house, being joint 
districts with towns in the adjoining county. As shown by the com- 
missioner's report for the year ending July 31, 1809, this town received 
from the state $2,014.26 for school support, and raised by tax for the 
same purpose the additional sum of $3,110.85. During the year there 
was paid to teachers $4,806.70. In the school libraries were 636 books. 
The school census was 363 children between the ages of 5 and 16 
years. 

Organization. — The best memory of the old inhabitants is to the effect 
that the first town meeting in Triangle was held at the house of George 
Wheeler, as were provided by the act creating the town. Yet of this 
fact we have no positive proof, for, unfortunately, the early town rec 
ords were long ago destroyed by fire, hence the names of the early offi- 
cials cannot be given, and much else that always is of value must ever 
remain unwritten history. However, from county records the suc- 
cession of supervisors since 1849 is secured, and is as follows: 

Reuben Chase, 1840-50; Samuel Birdsall, 1851; Solomon Page, 1852- 
53; S imuel Stow, 1854; Samuel H. Birdsall, 1855; Elijah Adams, 1856; 
Wesley Jackson, 1857-58; Henry H. Seymour, 1850; John E. Wentz, 
1860; John B. Seymour, 1861; John E. Wentz, 1862; Celora E. Mar- 
tin, 1863; H. H. Saxton, 1864; Chauncey C. Bennett, 1865-67; Joseph 
S. Patterson, 1868; John Burghardt, jr., 1869-70; Ehrl Cartright, 1871; 
Milo B. Eldridge, 1872; Joseph S. Patterson, 1873-74; Milo B. Eldridge, 
1875-76; De Forest B. Davis, 1877-79; George A. Day, 1880-81; G. G. 
Saxton, 1882; Benjamin Kinyon, 1883; Charles O. Parsons, 1884-85; 
Harvey Goetcheus, 1886-87; Eli B. Black, 1888; Luther I. Waite, 1889; 
Philo H. Landers, 1800-91; Jasper Smith, 1802-07; Michael Shanley, 
1898-99. 



THE TOWN OF TRIANGLE. 75^ 

The town officers in 1899 are Michael Shanley. supervisor- H C 

V'^^'n = ^^"^^"^ ^- ^^^^"^^' J^"^^^ P- W^'>«- J"stin L.John: 
son, W. D. Whitney, justices of the peace; William Waterman col- 
lector; Edwin D. Arnold George Ashley, James D. Eggleston. assess- 
ors; Charles Braeman, highway commissioner; Frank Canfield over 
seer of the poor. ' 

In mentioning the town officials, past and present, the writer recalls 
the remark once made by one of Binghamton's distinguished citizens 
who said that Triangle had sent to the county seat "some of the best 
material that ever graced a county office or honored the city with a resi 
dence. " Glancing back in the history of the town and noting the names 
of old Triangle families, the remark above quoted seems absolutely cor- 
rect, but the orator might have gone further and with equal truth ex- 
claimed to the effect that many of Binghamton's best men, whether in 
official station or professional or mercantile pursuits, have come from 
Triangle and in a good measure represents an element of substantial 
pioneership in that interesting town. 

Whitney's point.' 

In 1791 Gen. John Patterson came to the site of Whitney's Point and 
put up a log house near the junction of the Otselic with the Tioughnioga, 
on the site of the recently known Beach house. The next settlers on 
the village site were David Seymour and his sons David and Ira and 
John Seymour, who were the progenitors of a large line of descendants 
in this part of the county, and among whom have been and still are 
some of our most useful and enterprising citizens. David Seymour lo- 
cated on what in later years was known as the Graves Collins farm, while 
John settled on the farm ever since owned in the family. 

Gen. Patterson and the Seymours were the pioneers on the village 
site, yet they were not the founders of the settlement That honor be- 
longs chiefly to Thomas Whitney the pioneer of Whitney's Flats, just 
above Binghamton, and brother of Joshua Whitney, founder of Che- 
nango Point (Binghamton). The Whitneys came here in 1802, Thomas 
locating on Main street and William on Collins street, as those thor- 
oughfares were afterward named. Thomas Whitney, with others, be- 
gan operations by constructing a bridge across the Tioughnioga, and 
soon afterward opened a stock of goods for trade and kept public house 

J This article is prepared largely from F. C. Branday's souvenir edition of the Whitney's 
Point Reporter entitled •' Whitney's Point, Old and New," April 23, 1898. 



752 THE TOWN OF TRIANGLE. 

for the accommodation of travellers. Thus was the settlement founded, 
Thomas Whitney being the enterprising man of affairs, with William 
as his assistant, while the venerable Gen. Patterson looked with ap- 
proval on all that was being done. He was the pioneer, and being 
also a man of influence the little settlement was named "Patterson's 
Point," in compliment to the old revolutionary hero. He died in 1808, 
but the hamlet name was continued until 1824, when a post-office was 
established here under the name of Whitney's Point, in allusion to the 
more conspicuous works of Thomas Whitney. 

Previous to 1873 the village had no corporate limits, hence all dwell- 
ers in the locality who were concerned in the growth or interests of the 
place were looked upon as factors in its history. Chroniclers of early 
history give us no reliable information concerning the early business 
men of the village, or otherwise trace the growth of the hamlet into a 
flourishing corporate village. Both early and late the surname Sey- 
mour has been associated with local prosperity. Among the other and 
perhaps more prominent persons in contributing to the welfare of 
the village may be mentioned the names of Henry Seymour, Henry 
Whitney, Mulford Northrup, William and Graves Collins, Samuel H. 
Birdsall, Rev. Henry Ford, Dr. Harry Hemingway (who began prac- 
ticing medicine here in 1837), Stephen N. Stone, Uriah King, Asa 
Beach (who built the Beach House of former years), Milo B. Eldridge 
and others. 

In 1858, according to the Broome Gazette, the leading business men of 
the village were J. S. Patterson, general store; M. S. Simmons, " cheap 
cash store;" E. B. Smith, jeweler; John Hasleden, blacksmith; H. 
Salisbury, grocer, succeeded by C. S. Olmsted; S. H. Birdsall (father of 
S. E. and H, F. Birdsall), general store; C. E. Martin (now Judge Mar- 
tin, of the Court of Appeals), lawyer; F. D. Gridley (now of Bingham- 
ton), eclectic physician. Parker's Exchange was the principal hotel, 
and all the stages stopped there. 

In 1854 the S., B. & N.Y. railroad was opened for traffic, and a sta- 
tion was established in the village. This new means of travel had no 
noticeable effect on local interests until about three years after the road 
was opened, but in later years it proved to be a very important factor 
in the growth of the place, and in 1865 the business interests were two- 
fold greater than the years earlier. 

As a matter of historic interest let us briefly note the business inter- 
ests of the village in 1865 : G. A. Dodge, publisher of the Broome Gazette ; 



THE TOWN OF TRIANGLE. 753 

F. D. Gridley, physician and surgeon ; J. H. Burghardt, railroad and ex- 
press agent, and dealer in coal, lumber and produce; R. Perkins, steam 
sawmill; J. Hasleden, hardware, carriage ironing and blacksmithing; 
M. Rogers, proprietor hotel ; A. D. Chittenden, carriage ironing and black- 
smithing; N. Livermore, wagon maker; P. Guier, teacher of all kinds of 
wind instruments' music; J. S. Ireland, harness and saddle maker; C. A. 
Wheeler, hats and caps, furrier; S. S. Newell, tinsmith and dealer in 
hardware; S. Sparrow, prop'r Railroad and Stage hotel ; A. Stickney, 
surveyor and civil engineer, also bridge builder; F. W. Green, circular 
saw mill; A. B. Dodge, manufacturer and dealer in medicines and 
drugs. 

From this time to the end of the old and the beginning of the new 
village its history was a record of continued prosperity and substantial 
growth. Soon after 1880 the village attained its maximum of progress, 
and thereafter for a period of about twenty- five years its general condi- 
tion was normal, neither increasing nor losing, although during that 
time many changes in character of business and proprietorships were 
made. 

Between the years 1880 and 1890 the principal business interests 
were about as follows: Birdsall & King, clothing, successors to F. L. 
Dickinson, dry goods; C. H. Parsons & Co., succeeding Parsons & 
Pease ; Wells & Deyo, succeeding Davis & Wells ; Parsons & Deming ; Fred 
E . Allen, succeeding Allen & Davis ; L. Dunham, grocer ; Seeber & You- 
mans, drugs, successor toO. J. Pratt; Dr. Hemingway & Son, drugs and 
private bank; John Johnson, hardware, est. 1870; A. Cornell, successor 
toS. N.Stone; C. H. Parsons & Co., confectioners, succeeding C. D, 
Pratt; L.Taft, furniture, est. 1870; Chas. H. Emens, furniture, est. 1880 
with R. Park ; Charles B. Morse, clothing. 

The Whitney's Point Cutter works was started in 1876 by Waite & 
Corburn, who occupied the Birdsall & Muckle shop. In 1878 the firm 
changed to Patterson, Waite & Corburn; in 1879 to Patterson, Smith & 
Muckle ; in 1880 to Muckle, Waite & Co., and in 1881 to Birdsall, Muckle 
& Co. This was perhaps the largest manufacturing concern in the vil- 
lage, and after a few years it was resolved into the Birdsall, Waite & 
Perry Manufacturing company that now does business in the village, 
producing high grade wagons, sleighs and carriages, and also some of 
the finest pneumatic work in the state. 

Landers Bros. & Co. began making carriages in 1883, but in the next 
year the firm was Landers & Wilcox. Other industries of the period 

48 



754 THE TOWN OF TRIANGLE. 

(1880-90) were the Excelsior Tooth company, est. in 1865 by Eli Sweet, 
and afterward owned by Waite & Breemer; the sash, door and blind 
factory of D. S. Monroe and W. A. Rheinvault; and the McCallum 
marble works, succeeding Philo Page. 

Among the comparatively recent hotels of the old village (the new vil- 
lage dates from the time of the great fire in 1897) those most prominent 
were the Beach House, built in 1872; the Railroad House, and the 
Nioga House, of which George A. Quick became proprietor in 1883. 

Incorporation. — The village of Whitney's Point was incorporated in 
March, 1871, at a special election held at the office of attorney Ransom 
Rowland. 

The first village officers were Ransom Rowland, president; Alonzo 
Collins, Stephen N. Stone and Lucius A. Johnson, trustees; Samuel H. 
Birdsall, treasurer; Charles S. Olmstead, clerk; Dayton Church, collec- 
tor; W. R. Rogers, street commissioner; Jabez Johnson, poundmaster. 

The present village officers are Arthur W. Page, president; Amos M. 
Johnson and James B. Wells, trustees; David L. Maxfield, clerk; C. E. 
Morse, treasurer; Chester Eldridge, collector. 

The Whitney's Point Fire Department was organized August 20, 
1873, and in that year a committee comprising Ransom Rowland, 
Duane Burgess, G. R. Daniels and Eli B. Black, purchased from the 
Owego department a serviceable "brake" engine. A hose company 
and an engine company were formed, the former consisting of 12 men 
under foreman Samuel E. Birdsall, and the latter of about 40 men un- 
der foreman Milo B. Eldridge. Both organizations, however, were 
known as Nioga Hose Co. No. 1. In 1883 the village purchased a steam 
fire engine; but not until April 8, 1889, was the department reorganized 
with reference to its use. On that date the trustees authorized the re- 
organization of Nioga Rose Co., and the formation of a combined 
steamer and hose company, limited to 60 members, whose duty was to 
take charge of the steamer and hose cart, and which should be known 
as " Nioga Rose and Steamer Co. No. 1." This organization has been 
maintained to the present time, and is in all respects an efficient body 
of fire fighters. The truth of this statement was fully demonstrated on 
the eventful morning of April 23, 1897. 

Resolute Rose Co. No. 2 was organized August 19, 1887, and was 
authorized by the trustees to number not more than 20 members. In 
January, 1894, the company petitioned the trustees to change the name 
to S. E. Birdsall Rose Co., which was done the following year. 



THE TOWN OF TRIANGLE. 755 

The Firemen's Hall on Main street was purchased in 1882 from S. N. 
Stone, who previously had occupied the building for storage purposes. 
The structure was burned in the "great fire," and was replaced with 
the present attractive village hall and fire station. 

The Great Fire. — Previous to the disastrous conflagration of April 23, 
1897, Whitney's Point had suffered by fire in no greater degree than is 
usual to villages of its size and commercial importance. Fires were of 
occasional but not of frequent occurrence, and when we consider that 
the business portion of the village was chiefly built up with frame 
structures it is surprising that the serious visitation was so long de- 
layed. 

The details of the great fire of 1897 need no repetition in this chap 
ter, as the event was fully recorded in the press throughout the county 
and state, and has been made the subject of extended mention in a 
pamphlet edition of the Reporter and circulated in the family of every 
resident of Triangle, while thousands of copies were sent to outside 
persons for perusal and preservation. It is therefore sufficient to state 
that the property (buildings, merchandise, household goods or office 
equipments) of eighty-eight owners was destroyed, and not one busi- 
ness block in the commercial center was left standing. The total loss 
never has been fully estimated, yet the approximations reach far into 
the thousands of dollars. 

Although this disaster completely wiped out the business section of 
the village, the merchants were by no means disheartened, and within 
thirty-six hours after the first building was destroyed a very respectable 
western city had been built up on the Academy square and in other 
available places. The sites occupied by the ruined buildings were cov- 
ered with debris and burning timbers, thus preventing their immediate 
reoccupancy by former owners. But the public square served the pur- 
pose well, and the new village thus hastily erected rejoiced in the euphon- 
ious name of " Shantytown." Whatever it may have resembled in ap- 
pearance is unimportant, but the mere fact that an excellent business 
system was restored within twenty-four hours of a totally destructive 
fire shows something of the determined spirit of Whitney's Point mer- 
chants at that time. 

During the summer and fall of 1897, and the early part of the follow- 
ing year, much of the burned district was rebuilt with substantial and 
attractive brick structures, two and three stories in height, and a new 
Whitney's Point appeared on the site of the old village. The year 1897 



756 THE TOWN OF TRIANGLE, 

dated the beginning of a new era in local history, and while considera- 
ble financial loss followed in the wake of the disaster of April 23, Whit- 
ney's Point in 1900 is a more prominent municipality than ever before 
during the entire period of its history, and is numbered among the 
most progressive villages in the county. Its present population is 
about 1,000 inhabitants. 

The business and mercantile interests are represented by about a 
dozen enterprising merchants, while four hotels accommodate the 
traveling public. These public houses are the Rogers House (Charles 
Lincoln, prop'r), which was not burned ; the Riverside House; Hotel 
Griffin, an attractive brick building occupying a convenient site in the 
business center, and now under the proprietorship of Frank J. Clarke; 
and Quick's Hotel, erected by George A. Quick, its landlord, in 1899. 
This unquestionably is the best hotel in the county outside the city of 
Binghamton. 

The merchants of the village are William Denning, F. E. Allen and 
Shanley Bros., dealers in general dry goods; Seeber& Youmans, drug- 
gists; C. E. Morse, clothing; F. E. Nowlan and John Johnson & Son, 
hardware; S. S. Parsons, grocer ; H. King, boots and shoes; Ray Lewis 
and Dell Dean, meat markets; F. E. Nichols & Son, furniture dealers; 
L. Bennett, hardware and horse goods. The principal buildings are 
the Wilcox block, at the corner of Main and Collins streets; the Page 
block, on the site formerly occupied by Quick's hotel; the Biddlecome 
block on Main street; the Stone block, on Main street; the Parsons 
block, on Main street; and the " Big Four " block, on Main street, oc- 
cupied by Messrs. Morse, Shanley Bros., Seeber & Youmans, and Fred 
E. Allen. 

In addition to the owners of the business interests referred to in pre- 
ceding paragraphs, there are many other men entitled to mention in 
this connection as factors in the history of the " New Whitney's Point," 
among whom may be recalled A. W. Page, Frank T. Wilcox, William 
W. Collins, D. S. Monroe, Frank E. Nowlan, Eli Black, Maurice O, 
Eggleston, Dr. R. A. Seymour, Dr. O. C. Hall, David O'Connell, L. N. 
English, George H. Daniels, James P.Wells, Amos M. Johnson, David 
L. Maxfield, Frank C. Branday, P. H. Landers, J. P. Northrup, Henry 
G. Grubel, Elmer Bosvvorth, H. H. Turner, M. M. Hollenbeck, Dr. 
Ransom J. Perry, John Elliott, Walter A. Ford and others. 

Educational. — The Whitney's Point Union Free school and academy 
has graduated some of the best intellect (and turned it into useful, 



THE TOWN OF TRIANGLE. 757 

practical channels) of which Broome county can boast. The excellence 
of the school long has been a subject of remark in educational circles, 
but the best compliment to its standing was the recognition extended 
by the State Regents in raising the institution from the senior grade 
to that of" High school." 

The academy was established in 1866, when the village became a 
Union Free school district under the provisions of the state laws. The 
first board of education comprised Celora E. (now Judge) Martin, 
Henry A. Seymour, Alonzo Collins, Asa Beach, Franklin Beach, Jacob 
Burghardt, Israel Stearns, Rev. William Gates and Dr. Frank D. 
Gridley, 

The present board comprises Fred E. Allen, P. H. Landers, Dr. R. 
J. Perry, Frank C. Branday and James P. Northrup. 

The succession of principals is as follows: David H. Carver, A. B., 
1866-8; Erastus Beach, A. M., 1868-9; George Barton, 1869; Frank d! 
Blakesley, 1869-70; Timothy H. Roberts, 1870-3; Charles N. Cunning- 
ham, 1873-7; Ira M. Thatcher, 1877-8; Henry iM. Maxon, A. B., 1878- 
9; Israel T. Deyo, A. B., 1879-81; Chas. M. Brink, A. B., 1881; Wm. 
Strasmer, 1881-3; H. Frank Miner, 1883-4; Henry Smith, 1884-5; 
JohnKelley, 1885-6; Maurice E. Page, B. A., 1886-7; Frank C. Shultis, 
1887-8; Frank G. Gilman, B. L., 1888-90; Alva V. Wilson, 1890-1; 
Arthur R. Mason, 1891-4; Ernest P. Carr, 1894-7; Henry G. Grubel, 
1897-99. 

Tlie Press. — The Broome Gazette was founded in 1858, under the 
proprietorship of G. A. Dodge. The first number was issued June 24, 
and from that time the paper was a financial success. In 1864 the office 
and paper were leased to Peter D, and Chester A. Van Vradenburg, 
who conducted the publication about one year, after which Mr. Dodge 
sold the plant to Charles A. S. Heath. In the course of a few years, 
however, the paper came back into Mr. Dodge's hands, and on Febru- 
ary 17, 18G9, the name of Milo B. Eldridge appeared as publisher. 
Several subsequent changes were made in the personnel of the man- 
agement, but Col. Eldridge was directly connected with the paper un- 
til the fall of 1876, when he sold out to the late Mark D. Branday. In 
the meantime, in 1871, while the paper was under control of A. S. 
Foote, the office was burned, but in the course of a few months Col. 
Eldridge revived the publication under the name of Nioga Reporter. 
Mr. Branday subsequently changed the name to Whitney's Point Re- 
porter, as since known throughout the period of its successful career. 



758 THE TOWN OF TRIANGLE. 

Frank C. Branday became partner with his father about 1878 or '79, 
and upon the death of the latter ( January 18, 1893), he succeeded to 
the sole proprietorship of the paper. This enterprising- journalist also 
publishes the semi-monthly " Practical Poultryman," which was found- 
ed by G. M. T. Johnson and passed into the hands of M. D. Branday & 
Son about 1888. The "Lewisiana," a monthly pubhcation, was started 
by Frank P. Lewis, and now is published monthly on the Reporter 
press by F. C. Branday. 

The Reporter is one of the leading county newspapers of Broome 
county, and deservedly enjoys a wide circulation and a large advertis- 
ing patronage. 

The ecclesiastical bodies of the village, of which mention is made in 
another department of this work, are the Methodist Episcopal church, 
incorporated April 4, 1843; the Presbyterian church, organized Sept. 
7,1854; Grace Episcopal church, organized in 1870; the First Baptist 
church, organized June 2, 1842; and St. Patrick's church (Roman Cath- 
olic), formally established in 1872. 

The fraternal societies of the village are Whitney's Point Lodge No, 
795, F. & A. M., instituted February 21, 1888; Amigo Lodge No. 439, 
L O. O. F., organized August 20, 1875; Eldridge Post No. 199, G. A. R.. 
organized March 9, 1881; Pocahontas Tribe No. 81, L O. R. M., insti- 
tuted 1887; Brinkman Tent No. 217, Order of Maccabees, organized 
May 15, 1893; Whitney's Point Grange No. 565, P. of H., organized 
March 18, 1898; and Nioga Council No. 47, R. T. of T., instituted June 
15, 1878. 

The Broome County Agricultural society dates its history to January 
29, 1858, when the first annual fair was held on the Johnson grounds 
near Lisle village. After three or four years the annual exhibition 
was held at Binghamton, and was continued to be held there until 1871 
when the association found permanent grounds on the Collins farm at 
Whitney's Point. The society is an institution of the county, yet it has 
been chiefly supported by the enterprising men of Triangle for more 
than twenty years. 

Upper Lisle. — This small village of about 150 inhabitants is located 
on the Otselic river in the the northeast part of the town of Triangle, 
The settlement dates back in its history to the beginning of the cent- 
ury, when George Elliott opened the first store and when Moses Mun- 
son built the first saw mill in this part of the town. However, let us 
recall the names of some of the first settlers in this part of Triangle, 



THE TOWN OF TRIANGLE. 



759 



for, in a way, each had something to do with early development and 
subsequent growth. 

It is said that Asa Rogers and Phineas Baker were the pioneers here, 
and that in 1794 they brought their families to the improvements they 
previously had made. At the same time came Jacob Smith, with his 
sons Nicholas and Hendrick J. Smith. Asa Rogers made his " pitch " 
(choice) of land on the east side of the river, half a mile north of the 
" Four Corners," as the settlement was first called. Among the other 
and later settlers in this locality were Timothy Shepard, who came 
before 1797, and who formed the Baptist society at Upper Lisle and 
also at Hazzard's Corners; Benjamin Smith, whose family name has 
been well known in town history; Mr. Lewis, with his sons Jesse, Seth 
and William; Jonathan, afterward "Judge" Lewis; Dr. Isaiah Chap- 
man, who came about 1803, and whose place afterward was sold to Joel 
Rouse; John Landers, who came in 1801; Moses Munson, who came in 
1801 and built the first saw mill, and also the first grist mill, the latter 
in 1803; Conrad Sharp, who succeeded to the Munson mills, and for 
whom the locality became known as " Sharp's Corners; " Judge George 
Wheeler, who purchased the Sharp mills. About this time (1820) one 
Dodge started a cloth-dressing works here, and for a number of years 
the place was a scene of constant industry. 

Other factors in early history here were Simeon and Noah Rogers, 
Barnabas Kinney, Cornelius Van Arsdale, John Johnson, Jesse P. Ames, 
Mr. Mulligan, Amos Thurston, Mr. Lull (grandfather of Elder Abner 
Lull), Elijah Sweet, Reuben Hatch, Vincent Van Arsdale, Daniel Lull, 
Isaac Harrington, Reuben and Daniel Thurston, Aaron Thurston, Noah 
Rogers, Smith Hinds, John Ames, James Graham, William Birdsall, 
Ansel Thomas, Deacon Ephraim Hodge and others equally worthy of 
mention but whose names cannot now be recalled. 

A bridge across the river at Upper Lisle was built in 1807. Isaac 
Terry and Elijah Hatch had a plow factory here many years ago. 
George Elliott opened the first store about 1800. Dr. Todd built an- 
other store in 1812, and employed Thomas Gazeley as his clerk. Another 
storekeeper was Harry Green. Harry Van Vliet kept a tavern, and a 
Mr. Bradt followed later in the same business. Timothy Bradley and 
a Mr. Carew were the first blacksmiths. John Hinman came in 1814, 
and soon afterward followed his brother Samuel, who started a dis- 
tillery. 

The Universalist church was built in 1830. In 1810 James Stoddard 



760 THE TOWN OF TRIANGLE. 

taught a winter school. Later teachers were Henry Coburn, Jonas 
Billings and Rachel Beckwith. 

Among the early merchants of Upper Lisle, in addition to those al- 
ready mentioned, were Samuel H. Birdsall, Welch & Holmes, Asa Aus- 
tin, Benj. Kingsley, Anson Peck. Other business factors were Wm. 
Walls, Wm. Button, J. Burghardt (tannery, 1864-78). 

In 1865 the business interests of the village were greater than at the 
present day. Then Finn & Campbell carried on the mills; J. Burghardt 
& Son the tannery; O. B.Campbell, a large general store; the McFarland 
Bros, were cabinet makers and undertakers; John E. Wentz carried on 
an extensive planing mill and carpenter shop ; G. H. Brown was a large 
produce and stock dealer; R. M. Burghardt dealt in stock and agricul- 
tural implements; O. J, Pratt was storekeeper and postmaster, and C. 
W. Woughter kept public house. Among the other prominent resi- 
dents of the immediate locality were W. Crandall, N. P. Baker, P. 
Stalker, N. Newell, H. B. Day, George W. Hurd,.G. M. Starkey, L. 
Dewey, P. Rockwell, Dr. R. O. Williams and Dr. J. Hall, all of whom 
at some time were identified with the business history of the village. 

Forty years have wrought many changes in the condition of affairs of 
Upper Lisle, and the hamlet people no longer can enjoy their old-time 
prestige. Here, now, are two good stores, kept, respectively, by Mrs. 
Beach and Frank Brannon ; a hotel, kept by De Lotus Elliott ; a grist 
mill, of which Charles Adams is proprietor, and a saw mill, owned by 
R. M. Burghardt. In the locality there still live many descendants of 
old settlers, all of whom loyally patronize the merchants of the village. 
The farmers are thrifty, for the lands here are among the best in the 
town. The public institutions are the Baptist and Universalist churches 
and the district school. 

Triaiigle. — In the southeast part of the town is some of the best agri- 
cultural lands of which Triangle can boast. The inhabitants here long 
needed a trading center and the construction of the turnpike with its 
inevitable " toll gate " made a settlement possible in the near vicinity. 
Among the early settlers and factors in the history of this locality may 
be mentioned the names of Comfort Jackson, the Amsbry, Hayes and 
Boyd families, Nehemiah Spencer, Jonas Standish, Lewis Beman, Julius 
Spencer (the basket maker), Isaac Taft and others. 

In the same manner there may be mentioned Col. Clark, the Eggles- 
tons, the Dunckels, the Beckwiths, the Woodruffs, the Chases, Jona- 
than Sweetland, Samuel Waldron, Frederick English and others. 



THE TOWN OF FENTON. 781 

Dexter Whitney built and opened a store at Triangle in 1851, and 
Harvey Phelps built a second store in 1865. Daniel Clark built the 
hotel about 1867. A cheese factory was built here in 1874. However, 
among the persons connected with business interests here may be men- 
tioned (in addition to those given), G. Eggleston, M. E. Pearsall, Mar- 
garet Mills, E. W. Simmons, G. G. Saxton, Chandler Olmstead, Egbert 
Pearsall and D. S. Whitney. 

Thirty-five years ago these persons were interested in business pur- 
suits at Triangle: I. D, Meacham and E. B. Nash, physicians; N. 
Hayes, harness maker and hide dealer; D. S. Whitney, general store; 
G. Dunckels, carriage and cabinet maker; Phelps & Slater, general 
store; C. Love, blacksmith; I. Saxton, shoemaker and dealer, also post- 
master; C. Stiles, barrel, tub and firkin factory. 

The present business interests comprise the stores of Floyd J. Purdy 
and W. R. Shipman and one or two small shops. 

In this locality are three churches — Congregational, Baptist and 
Methodist Episcopal, and also a district school. 

Penelope is the name of a post hamlet in the northeast part of the town 
near the county line. Its business interests comprise a cheese factory 
and creamery, and a store, the latter kept by Frank Silvernail. 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 

THE TOWN OF FENTON. 

On December 3, 1855, the supervisors of the county made a division 
of old Chenango and created from it two new towns— Binghamton and 
Port Crane. The legislature in 1856 ratified the action of the board and 
authorized the organization of each new jurisdiction. The name Port 
Crane was given this town from its principal village, which originally 
was so-called in compliment to Jason Crane, one of the engineers en- 
gaged in the work of construction on the Chenango canal, he evidently 
having been in great favor with people of this locality. The name was 
worthily bestowed, yet in 1867 the board of supervisors saw fit to ex- 
change it for that of Fenton, in allusion to the name of Governor Reu- 
ben E. Fenton, chief executive of the state during the years 1865-67. 



762 THE TOWN OF FENTON. 

The boundaries of the town never have been changed and its area is 
19,576 acres of land; good agricultural land with excellent grazing dis- 
tricts where the slopes are too precipitous for easy cultivation. The 
narrow bottom lands along the river are exceedingly fertile, and back 
of them the hills rise to an elevation varying from 500 to 800 feet alti- 
tude. The Chenango river forms the western boundary and Page and 
Pond brooks are its principal tributaries, affording excellent natural 
drainage. 

The town comprises portions of three tracts of patented lands, known, 
respectively, as Jay & Rutheford's patent, Clinton & Melcher's patent 
and Watts' patent. The tract first mentioned was surveyed by Walter 
Sabin about 1792, and under that survey part of lot No. 3G was sold to 
Garret Williamson; part of Nos. 35-6 to Elias B. Miller, and part of 
No. 47 to Jacob Ketchum. The patent was subsequently divided, Jay 
taking the north and Rutheford the south part. In 1823 William Wentz 
resurveyed the tract, and the titles were afterward conveyed according 
to his plan of numbers and division. 

The pioneer of this town were Elisha Pease who settled here and 
made an improvement in a total wilderness in 1788. Chester Pease, 
son of the pioneer, was born here in 1793, that being the first event of 
its kind in the town. In 1797 the pioneer built the first saw mill, but 
other than is mentioned little is now known of his family life here. 
The next settlers were Jared Page (for whom Page brook is said to 
have been named) and a Mr. Vining, whose Christian name (and also 
early recollections of him) are not remembered. Soon afterward there 
came Garret Williamson (the pioneer of lot No. 36), Isaac Page, John 
F. Miller and Elias Miller, the latter taking parts of lots Nos. 35 and 
36, just south of Ketchum's Corners (North Fenton, as now known). 
Garret Williamson had twelve sons and daughters, and his surname is 
still well known in town. He died in 1862. Elias Miller was William- 
son's brother-in law, and together they came and cleared a few acres of 
land, sowing it with wheat, and then returned to Westchester county 
for their families. William Miller also came from Westchester county, 
locating here in 1807, one year later than his kinsman just mentioned. 
He also became a prominent figure in town history, and was one of the 
old Common Pleas judges. His descendants, too, gained an enviable 
prominence, his grandson, Addison Miller, having served as justice of 
the peace and also as justice of the sessions for several years. Robert 
T., Hurd F. and Addison Miller were sons of John F. Miller, youngest 
son of the pioneer of the family. 



THE TOWN OF FENTON. 



763 



Michael McDonald, of Scotch ancestry, progenitor of the several per- 
sons of that surname who were in later years conspicuous figures both 
m Fenton and Binghamton, came here previous to 1800 and settled on 
a 50-acre tract of land. Caleb Ketchum located at North Fenton early 
in the century, but whether the settlement there was named Ketchum's 
Corners for him or for Jacob Ketchum is a doubtful question. Reuben 
McDaniels came in 180G. Lewis Demonstoy came in 1847. Simon 
Cook settled here in 1844. He served in the army during the war of 
1812-15. Timothy Cross settled in the north part of the town in 1807, 
and attained a ripe old age, far beyond man's alloted span. The Hull 
families came into the town about 1836. Among them were John Hull, 
who attained a standing of prominence in the town; Charles Hull a 
tavern keeper and cigar maker here and later on a resident of Bingham- 
ton; George Hull, of Cardiff giant fame. 

Jeremiah Holt came to the county from Chenango county about 1830, 
and settled in this town in 1849. His son, Jeremiah Holt, jr., for many 
years has been a prominent man in town affairs, having been assessor 
and supervisor, serving in the latter capacity two terms. Richard 
Lewis, a native of Wales, was an early settler near Chenango Forks. 
His sons afterward took an active part in local affairs. John Kales and 
family came from Chenango county to Fenton in 1851. Henry Kales 
was born in Fenton in 1852, and afterward became prominent in town 
affairs, being supervisor in 1898. The surname Watrous also for 
many years has been well known in Fenton through the works of David 
Watrous and his son, Samuel B. Watrous, both old residents here. An- 
other old surname here is that of Baldwin, whose earliest representa- 
tive, Sylvester Baldwin, came to the county in 1835, He was the father 
of ten children, several of whom were sons. 

Among the early settlers and prominent old residents in the south 
part of the town may be mentioned Peter Shaw, who settled near Port 
Crane about 1800, and who died in 1804, leaving several sons — Frederick, 
Curtis, Richard and De Witt Shaw. Luman Holcomb, who attained 
the remarkable age of ninety-five years, settled two miles east of Port 
Crane about 1810. David Crocker settled in the Van Name locality about 
1790. His son, Ebenezer Crocker, the old justice and highway com- 
missioner, was born in the town in 1814. Joseph Ogden settled in the 
south part of the town about 1790, hence was one of the pioneers. The 
surname Ogden has ever since been well represented in the town, and 
also in Binghamton and other parts of the county; and all these sub- 



764 THE TOWN OF FENTON. 

stantial representatives were descended from Joseph Ogden, the pioneer. 
Rephah Randall came here in 181G. Gideon Lounsberry, a settler in 
1826, was the head of another prominent family in Fenton history. 

Among the other early and prominent families in Fenton may be 
mentioned those of the late Roger Wing Hinds, who held the office of 
supervisor, justice of the peace, under sheriff and member of the legis- 
lature; Revilo Keeler, whose son, Job F. Keeler, was also a conspicuous 
figure in local history. There were also the Van Names, the Slossons, 
the Beviers, the Amsbrys, the Winns, the Morses, the Prentices, the 
Heards, the Shears, the Houghtailings, the Bixbys, the Ingrahams, the 
Silvernails, the Youngs, the Taylors, the Scotts (Marcus W. and Thomas 
Scott are sons of Garry V. Scott, who came to Fenton about 1847), the 
Greens ( James D. Green, father of Ex-Mayor George E. Green, of 
Binghamton, came to this town soon after 18G0), the Shufelts, the Glea- 
sons, the Canniffs (Marvin Canniff was one of Fenton's representative, 
men for many years), the Cooks, the Willards, the Walkers and a host 
of others, all of whom in some manner contributed to the growth and 
the development of the town. 

Previous to the opening of the Chenango canal in 18-)7, the inhabit- 
ants of Fenton were chiefly farmers and lumbermen, both of which pur- 
suits then were highly profitable. The Chenango river was a famous 
waterway for rafting logs and lumber to market, and Page brook was 
the chief seat of saw mill work for many years. Jared Page first 
"turned the waters" of the stream to milling enterprises, and his ex- 
ample was followed in later years by such operators as Elias Miller, 
Cloudy Hamilton, Christopher Eldredge (of Binghamton), Francis 
Mann, E. M. and Samuel Williamson, Henry Purdy, Henry Cole and 
others whose names are now forgotten. The canal, too, became a much 
used avenue for shipping lumber, and between the years 1840 and 18G5 
Fenton prospered as never before or since in all its history. But with 
the gradual clearing away of the forests, and the ultimate closing of 
the canal, this became a purely agricultural town; but before the canal 
was abandoned the Albany and Susquehanna railroad was opened, and 
thus commercial interests did not materially suffer through the loss of 
the once noted waterway. However, old residents still assert that 
" times" in Fenton never were so good as during the period of opera- 
tion of the Chenango canal. 

Among the later-day factors in Fenton history, mention may be made 
of Samuel I, Baldwin, James J. Barnes (settled in Fenton in 1849), 



THE TOWN OF FENTON. 785 

George W. Beckwith, Matthew Cook (drover, stock dealer, lumberman 
and fanner), Lewis N. Demonstoy (supervisor, town clerk, lumberman), 
Silas Hinds, Jeremiah Holt, James D. Hunt, Henry Kales, Job F. 
Keeler, Simmons J. Lounsberry, Addison Miller, Hurd H. Miller, Asa 
McDonald (father of Wm. H., Theo. F., Albert D. and Earl V. McDon- 
ald), Ambrose Og-den (father of Joseph D. Ogden), William Ogden, 
Benj. Potter, Hiram Prentice, James Rider, Dr. Lorenzo P. Roberts', 
Charles L, and Willard H. Shear,Thomas Scott, John Spendley, Thomas 
S. Taber, G. Harry Waite, Samuel B. Watrous, William Wil'liamson, 
Isaac C. Winn and others. 

Organisation. — Under the act which sanctioned the creation of the 
town, the first election of officers was held at Charles Hull's tavern in 
the spring of 1856, and was presided over by Daniel Hickox, Thomas 
Taber and Anthony W. Cole. The officers then chosen (with the ex- 
ception of supervisor, for which there was no election) were as follows: 

Town clerk, Herman V Waite; justices, John Bishop, Enos Puffer, 
Thomas Taber and Ebenezer Crocker; assessors, James A. Barnes, 
Israel D. Amsbry, George P. Miller; superintendent of schools, John B. 
Van Name; commissioners of highways, James Howland and Benj. A. 
Potter; overseers of the poor, William Slosson, Garry V. Scott; collec- 
tor, Hiram Silliman; constables, Henry Kark, Sherman McDaniel, John 
Jones, Leverett Jeffers, Willett Cross. 

The succession of supervisors is as follows: John Hull, 1856; Luke 
Dickson, 1857-58; Herman V. Waite, 1859-60; John Spendley, 1861; 
Lewis N. Demonstoy, 1862; Herman V. Waite, 1863-4; George P. Mil- 
ler, 1865-66; Roger W. Hinds, 1867; James E. Waite, 1868-69; John 
Hull, 1870-71; Marvin Canniff, 1872-73; Warren Bevier, 1874; Thomas 
Scott, 1875-77; James M. Edsall, 1878-79; Thomas Scott, 1880; Lo 
renzo P. Roberts, 1881-82; Thomas Scott, 1883; Lewis N. Demonstoy, 
1884; George H. Waite, 1885-86; James M, Edsall, 1887-88; Jeremiah 
Holt, 1889; Charles Van Amburgh, 1890-91; Arthur D. Weed, 1892-95; 
Henry Kales, 1896-98; Jeremiah Holt, 1899. 

The town officers in 1899 are Jeremiah Holt, supervisor; Earl A. 
Barnes, town clerk ; Albert Pangburn, Seneca Shear, Alvin McDonald, 
assessors; Rufus P. Bunnell, Charles H. Wells, Smith Cross, Hiram 
Gee, justices of the peace; Reuben Cross, collector; Simon Parsons, 
highway commissioner; Edmund Cole and Milton B. Race, overseers 
of the poor. 

Population.— l^QO, 1,345; 1865, 1,503; 1870, 1,499; 1875, 1,558; 1880, 
1,555; 1890, 1,280; 1893, 1,373. 



766 THE TOWN OF FENTON. 

Schools. — The history of the early schools of this town belongs to 
Chenango. In 1856 it became the duty of John B. Van Name, as town 
superintendent in Fenton, to put in operation the machinery of the 
school laws then in force. Indeed, the town authorities had little else 
to do in regard to the schools, as the districts, except perhaps one or 
two on the south boundary of the town, were all formed as part of Che- 
nango and required no readjustment. As now disposed, the town con- 
tains eight districts, each of which has a good school house. Accord- 
ing to the commissioners report for the year ending July 31, 1899, there 
was apportioned to Fenton of the public school moneys, $977.12, while 
the town raised by tax $1,406.89. During the year there was paid to 
teachers $1,964.10. School census of the town, 211 children; number 
of books in libraries, 65. 

VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. 

When the town was set ofif and formally organized the only trading 
centers of any consequence were Port Crane and Ketchum's Corners, 
but during the period of operation of the canal, beginning about 1840 
and ending soon after 1870, the entire course of that thoroughfare of 
traffic was a scene of constant activity. There were canal groceries, 
dry and repair docks and boat yards, with an occasional resort wherein 
the boatmen could find liquid refreshment. Then there were lumber- 
men (among whom Col. Van Name was a leading operator) and ship- 
pers, whose several enterprises were not a part of the industries of any 
special locality, but were carried on wherever occasion required. How- 
ever, after the canal was abandoned, and the lands were reclaimed by 
by adjoining owners, these transient interests were discontinued and 
trade gradually centered in the villages of the town. 

Port Crane. — This village, by reason of its location on the line of the 
canal, early became the principal trade center of the town, yet it is 
doubtful if the local population ever exceeded 200 persons. James 
Hunt and Samuel Andrews were among the early settlers in the im- 
mediate vicinity, the former being a farmer, and the latter a farmer 
and miller, having built what was known as the old "Shear" mill on 
Osborne Hollow creek in 1832. The first store at the " Port " was 
started by Wheeler & Yates, who were canal contractors. They were 
followed by Brown & Wright, and J. M. Edsall afterward occupied the 
same building. The Hulls — John, Charles and George — were early 
business men here, and all were for years actively identified with local 



THE TOWN OF FENTON. 



767 



interests. Other prominent factors in village history were Herman V 
Waite, Davis & Shear, James E. Waite, J. M. Edsall, Ansel Davis (who 
opened a tavern in 1836), John Monahan and others. 

In 1865 the business men of the place were Thomas Kilmer, physi- 
cian and druggist; James E. Waite, lumberman and storekeeper; 
Charles Hull, cigar maker; Truman H. Van Emburgh, boat builder'; 
E. W. Campbell, blacksmith; G. P. Miller, dentist; S. Miller, carpen- 
ter and millwright; Thomas Van Emburgh, dry dock and boat yard; W 
Randall, carpenter and millwright; I. Allerton, carpenter; 'Harvey 
Shear and J. N. Dodge, citizens. 

The abandonment of the canal had an injurious effect on Port Crane 
interests; and to-day there are not half a dozen business places in the 
village. The old Shear mill is still standing, but is idle, and now is 
owned by Wm. Shear. The Davis & Shear store now is occupied by 
Mr. English. J. M. Edsall retired in favor of J. D. Eaton. The re- 
maining interests comprise only the few small shops usual to country 
villages. 

The institutions of Port Crane are the Methodist Episcopal and Bap- 
tist churches, Chenango Tribe No. 58, I. O. R. M., and the school of 
district No. 2. 

In writing of the old-time interests of the town, it is proper to men- 
tion some of those in existence in 1865, but which were not located at a 
regular trade center. In this connection mention may be made of Col. 
Wm. Van Name, a general merchant, lumberman and stock dealer, 
whose seat of business was nearly two miles down the river from Port 
Crane; M. D. Beardsley, a farmer and manufacturer of boots and shoes; 
Warren Bevier, who carried on a farm in the south part of the town, 
and who also made brooms ; H. Prentice, farmer, stock dealer and car- 
penter; J. D. Brown, carpenter, now living in Chicago; Henry 
Shear, dealer in fat cattle and sheep ; L. Paddleford, farmer and carpenter 
at North Fenton ; and A. Cleveland, lumberman. 

North Fenton. — Previous to 1867 this hamlet was known as Ketchum's 
Corners, but when the name of the town was changed, the Corners at 
the same time became North Fenton, and a post-office was then (1867) 
established here, Wm. Lawton, postmaster. 

James Miller made this a trade center in 1862, when he opened the 
first store. Later prominent merchants here were William Lawton, 
Thomas Scott, Canniff & Miller, Melvin A. Macomber, Justin Morse, 
Abe Rosenthal, Addison Miller, John Miller and A. D. Roberts, the 



768 THE TOWN OF BARKER. 

latter now being proprietor of a good general store. In the hamlet 

also is a good cheese factory, Charles Paddleford, proprietor. Here, 

too, is a Methodist Episcopal church, and the school house of district 
No. 4. 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 
THE TOWN OF BARKER. 

Barker, one of the most substantial towns of Broome county, was 
created April 18, 1831, under the act of the legislature that divided 
Lisle, and from its territory created three new towns. A small part of 
Greene was annexed to Barker April 28, 1840, but otherwise its bound- 
aries ever have remained unchanged. Within its present limits it con- 
tains 24,859 acres of land, the greater portion of which are devoted to 
general agricultural pursuits. The town is intersected by the Tiough- 
nioga river, and its entire area is well drained by that stream and its 
tributaries. The land surface consists of a high, broken plateau, and 
is divided into two distinct parts by the Tioughnioga valley. The hill- 
sides in places are very steep and precipitous, thus rendering many 
areas unsuitable for profitable cultivation, but affording excellent pas- 
turage for cattle and sheep. One of the highest points of land in the 
county is found in the northwest part of the town, where the altitude is 
more than 1,400 feet above tide water. The river valley is quite nar- 
row, but the small areas of bottom lands are exceedingly fertile, hence 
the town as an agricultural region averages well in the county. Half- 
way brook flows through a narrow valley in the east part of the town, 
and in its vicinity several salt and brine springs were discovered many 
years ago. About 1850 an attempt was made to obtain a market sup- 
ply of salt from these springs, but the product was too small in quan- 
tity to justify extensive operations in search of that commodity. 

The first white settler within the limits of Barker was Thomas Gal- 
lop (or Gallup), who came up the river soon after Amos Draper located 
at Chugnut (Vestal) in 1782, and a year or two previous to Capt. Leon- 
ard's settlement on the west bank of the Chenango, about on the site of 
Nimmonsburg. Gallop made a small improvement on the site of Che- 



THE TOWN OF BARKER. 759 

nango Forks, but whether or not he held under title is unknown. He 
remained a few years and died in 1791. 

The real pioneer of the town was John Barker, an old revolutionary 
patriot, who in 1791 came from Brandford, Conn., and located on the 
east side of the river. In later years pioneer Barker was a man highly 
respected in the town of Chenango (of which town Barker then formed 
a part) and in compliment to him Barker was so named. The pioneer 
lived in the town until h"s death, Nov. 20, 1836, at the ripe old age of 
ninety-four years. He was twice married, and had these children: 
Triphena, Peter Silas, Mary, Asa and John. Nearly all these children 
eventually left the town, and now few, if any direct descendants of the 
pioneer of Barker are living in this county. 

Simeon Rogers came into the region very soon after the arrival of 
John Barker and began an improvement near that of the latter. In 
1795 pioneer Rogers married Mary, daughter of John Barker, and by 
her he had seven children. They were Chauncey, John B. (one of the 
foremost men of the town in his time, a merchant at Chenango Forks 
from 1825 to 1875), William, Mary, Eliza, George and Charles Rogers, 
from whom have descended some of the leading men of this town and 
also of the city of Binghamton. Pioneer Rogers attained the good old 
age of ninety-four years, and died in 1856. His wife, Mary Barker, 
tradition says, was a remarkable woman, and possessed courage to a 
remarkable degree. During the early life of the family in this region 
she saw much of the Indians who still remained in the vicinity, and by 
frequent association with the squaws of the tribe she learned much of 
their habits and something of their language. When her huband 
opened his house as a tavern, according to custom, he established a bar- 
room and kept liquor for sale; and frequently, in the absence of the 
men, Mrs. Rogers would attend to the wants of customers. On one oc- 
casion the house was visited by a band of Indians headed by one David, 
who was drunk, and who demanded more drink. It was refused him, 
upon which he savagely attacked the good woman with his hunting 
knife, and she, hardly aware of the situation, sprang into the arms 
of Antonio, another of the Indians. The latter at once defended and 
saved her, but that was almost a miracle, as Antonio himself was a 
merciless savage and afterward was hanged at Morrisville for a murder 
he had committed. 

On another occasion, when Mrs. Rogers happened to be alone in the 
house, she was seriously threatened by a drunken savage, and was only 

4'J 



770 THE TOWN OF BARKER. 

saved from his murderous knife by the timely arrival of a stranger on 
horseback. Then as the guest was departing the Indian tried to kill 
him by stealth, but Mrs. Rogers discovered his purpose, and screaming 
loudly caused the stranger to turn and thwart the savage attack. After 
these events some of the male members of the household generally re- 
mained within easy call of the tavern until the Indians had permanently 
left the locality. 

John Allen, a Vermont Yankee, came into the Tioughnioga valley 
probably as early as 1790. He cleared a large tract of land and planted 
500 young apple trees, and he also constructed a hand-mill for grinding 
grain. The birth of Truman Allen, son of John Allen, (July 11, 1792) 
was the first event of its kind in the town. 

Major Chauncey Hyde,founder of Hyde Settlement, came from Lenox, 
Mass., in 1793, and settled temporarily in the Genesee country, but, 
being stricken with fever he came further east to the site of Utica, where 
he saw little to tempt settlement. He then came to Chenango Point 
and found the region overgrown with scrub oak and pine, upon which 
he journeyed up the Chenango to this town, where the heavy growth of 
timber indicated a deep rich soil. The land he first cleared was directly 
in rear of Hyde Settlement M. E. church of later years. Major Hyde 
was a prominent man in early history and was elected to the assembly 
four terms. He died in 1847. Gen. Caleb Hyde (who as sheriff of 
Berkshire Co. , Mass. , executed the leaders of the insurrection known as 
" Shay's Rebellion,") came to Hyde settlement in 1795. Like his son, 
Gen. Hyde took a leading part in early county history ; was major gen- 
eral of militia; was twice chosen state senator, and in 180-4 was member 
of the council of appointment. He died Dec. 25, 1820. 

Among the other members of the Hyde family who figured as early 
settlers in this locality may be recalled by names of Capt. Calvin Hyde; 
Ebby Hyde (father of Dr. Frederick Hyde, of Cortland) who kept a 
store and tavern at Patterson's Point (afterward Whitney's Point) and 
later on removed to Hyde Settlement; Charles Hyde, eldest son of Gen. 
Hyde, who entered the U. S. military service and died in the Indian 
Territory in 1806. An entire chapter might be devoted to the members 
and interesting reminiscences of the Hyde families. They were numer- 
ous in the region during the early years of the century and also were 
prominent factors in passing events. The surname now has few repre- 
sentatives in the region, but wherever found it always has stood for 
general worth and integrity. 



m 



THE TOWN OF BARKER. 77j 

Still further pursuing the subject of early settlement in Barker we 
ay properly recall the names of Nathaniel Bishop (who came from 
Berkshire county, Mass., in 1802), Aaron Gaylord, Mr.Cadwell,"Dan." 
Hanchett, Joseph Burgess, Samuel Ames, Lemuel Foote, John Smith, 
John McCoy, (a witty, happy-go-lucky son of Ireland for whom McCoy 
Hill was named), Capt. Oliver Stiles (who came herein 1806, and after- 
ward was chosen one of the Common Pleas judges, and also was captain 
of militia, from whence came his title), Gilbert Shaffer (who in 181G 
succeeded to the lands of Ebby Hyde), Elijah Wood (1815), Stephen 
Foote (about 1818), Aaron Loomis (1826 or '7), Truman Slosson (1830), 
Abram Graves, Elias Shevalier, John Dunham (1832), John Wooster| 
Obadiah Stevens, Nelson Dunham, Morris Smith, Asa Beach (who came 
from Connecticut in 1805, and was a prominent figure both in town and 
county history), Pomeroy Johnson, Nathaniel Newell, Benjamin Fuller 
(1796, and for whom Fuller Settlement took that name), David Brown 
(father of the late Col. Robert Brown), Hiram Foote, Joel Taft, Alvin 
Dorchester, David Shapley (native, and one of the first white children 
born in the town), Jesse Atwater, Royal Shapley, Lot Sutherland, John 
Brown, Ozias Westover, Sherlock Wellard (an early storekeeper), Moses 
Waters, Jedediah Southwick, William Price, Peter P. Ockerman, Elias 
Newman and Ethan Allen (son of JohnAllen), all of whom were in some 
manner identified with the early development and therefore with the 
most interesting history of the town. 

In the same manner and in the same connection mention is to be made 
of the names of John Hurlbut (who is said to have come into this region 
in 1794, and settled in a complete wilderness), Elias Rummer, Mott 
Wright, John Rogers (who came in 1810), Asa Abbott, who built a saw 
mill in 1814), Reynold Kenyon (located at the "Four Corners" in 1806), 
Spink Kenyon (son of Reynold), Joel Thurston, Asa Taft and Stephen 
Pearsall (both early school teachers), David Thurston, Ebenezer Strick- 
land, Samuel Strickland, William and Blake Thurston, William Bates, 
Joseph Adams (the pioneer of "Adams' Settlement," and who came in- 
to the town from Dutchess county in 1800), Joseph Adams, jr. (who 
built a saw mill and made lumber for the settlers), Asa Lyons, Deacon 
Benj. Eldridge (grandfather of the late Col. Milo B. Eldridge, and also 
of Roxie Eldridge, principal of the New street school in Binghamton), 
Solomon Armstrong (a revolutionary patriot), John Stoughton (came 
to Adams' Settlement in 1808, was the first supervisor of Barker in 1832, 
and was member of assembly in 1839), Lewis Stoughton, Joseph Wood 



772 THE TOWN OF BARKER. 

(who operated an early rope works), Daniel Twiss and Aaron Mansir 
(both of whom came from Tyringham, Mass., in 1816), Zenas Eldridge 
(son of Deacon Eldridge), Mr. Lamoreaux, Mr. Huddleston and others 
now forgotten, all of whom were once factors in the history of the town, 
and many of whose descendants still are numbered among its present 
residents. 

Among the pioneers and early settlers were several men who were 
soldiers in the American army during the revolution. The names of a 
number of them have been mentioned in earlier paragraphs, but refer- 
ring to the records of Tuscarora chapter, D.A.R., of Binghamton, it is 
found that these names are credited to the town, viz. : Solomon Arm- 
strong, John Allen, Jedediah Blanchard, John Barker, Christopher 
Coates, Caleb Hyde, Chauncey Hyde, David Jewett, Simeon Rogers, 
Lemuel Rogers, John Rogers and William Wood. 

Among the more recent factors in local history, many of whom are 
still living, there may be mentioned the names of Talcott Alderman, 
John H. Allen, Squire Allen, Franklin Beach (born in Barker, 1823, son 
Harvey B. Beach), William Beach (an old town official and a noted 
raftsman; son of John Beach), Parley M. Brown (son of David and 
brother of the late Col. Brown), Dr. Henry A. Carr (the old physician 
of Chenango Forks, and afterwards of Binghamton), Washington Conk- 
lin, Hiram Dunham (son of John Dunham), Hamilton Ellerson, David 
English, Jonathan English, Edgar D. Fuller (born in this town in 1851), 
Elias Gaylord (born in Barker in 1819; son of Aaron Gaylord), Charles 
Hall (born in Barker, 1853), Dr. S. H. Harrington (the well known phy- 
sician and merchant of Chenango Forks, and an important factor in 
town'history), William Hatfield, Charles Hyde (born in the town, 1825; 
son of Charles Hyde), Augustine Hayes, Charles J. Hayes (born in 
Barker in 1850), Nathaniel Kinyon (son of Nathaniel Kinyon), Enos 
Page, Franklin Parsons, (born 1837; son of Chauncey Parsons), Robert 
O. Edwards, Horace M. Parsons (son of Lorenzo Parsons), Alonzo 
Pease (native of Windsor and prominent town official in Barker), Walter 
B. Pierce (the old farmer and tobacconist), Eugene Potter, John W. 
Ockerman, Myron S. Root, Charles Rogers (son of Benj. Rogers and 
prominent in town affairs), John Barker Rogers (son of the pioneer and 
named for him; born in Lisle — now Barker — in 1796; father of Theo- 
dore S. and grandfather of George Tracy and John B. Rogers of Bing- 
hamton), Jacob Ockerman, Alfred Thurston (born in Barker in 1810; 
son of John Thurston), Asaph B. Walter (native of Triangle, and who 



THE TOWN OF BARKER. 713 

came to Barker in 1856), Philo G. Walter, Dorres Westover (born in 
Barker in 1844; son of Ozias Westover), Charles Ockerman. 

From all that is written on preceding pages it must be seen that set- 
telment in Barker was begun as early and increased as rapidly as in 
other towns which were more level and more favorably situated. In- 
deed, it can hardly be said that Barker was without natural resources 
even during the early years of the century, for the Chenango and Tiough- 
nioga rivers were waterways and contributed materially to local growth 
and prosperity. For a period of about thirty years Chenango Forks 
was an important lumbering center and fortunes rewarded the efforts of 
the larger operators. In the course of time it became necessary to 
construct bridges across both rivers and in these enterprises local capital 
was chiefly employed. 

However, the two great internal improvements which contributed 
most to the prosperity of the town were the opening of the Chenango 
canal in 1837, and the operation of the Syracuse, Binghamton and New 
York railroad in 1854. The Utica and Chenango Valley road was a later 
acquisition, and thereby Chenango Forks gained a special prominence 
and advantage, the benefits of which have been permanent. 

Organization. — The act creating the town provided that the first 
town meeting be held at the house of David Brown. Accordingly, 
the election was held on the first Tuesday in March, 18:52, when 
these officials were chosen : Supervisor, John Stoughton; town clerk, 
Edward Hebard ; assessors. Woodruff Barnes, Hugh Cunningham and 
John Beach; overseers of the poor, William Osborn and Orlando Parsons, 
highway commissioners, Lorenzo Parsons, John P. Osborn, Jacob Lowe; 
school commissioners, Charles B. Beach, Reuben Winston, Franklin 
Hyde and Edward Hebard; school inspectors, John P. Osborn, Harry 
Seymourand Asa Hubbard; justices of the peace, Ransford Stevens, 
Oliver Stiles, Rufus Abbott and Daniel Sweetland; collector, David 
Barker; sealer of weights and measures, Rufus Abbott; constables, 
David Barker, Asa Hubbard, Charles Atwater and Lewis Cook. 

The succession of supervisors is as follows: John Stoughton, 1832- 
35; John Hyde, 1836; John Stoughton, 1837-38; John B. Rogers, 1839; 
F. Hyde, 1840; John B. Rogers, 1841; Lorenzo Parsons, 1842; Oliver 
vStiles, 1843; Lorenzo Parsons, 1844; John B. Rogers, 1845; John Corn- 
stock, 1846-47; David Brown, 1848; Eliphalet Wheeler, 1849; Maurice 
Hagaman, 1850; David Boughton, 1851; Eliphalet Wheeler, 1852; 
Langley Terwilliger, 1853-54; John B. Rogers, 1855; Abraham Knapp, 



t74 THE TOWN OF BARKER. 

185G; Robert Brown, 1857-58; Daniel Lowell, 1859-Gl; William H. 
Beals, 1862; Joseph P. Adams, 1863; Daniel Lowell, 1864; William H. 
Beals, 1865-67; Joseph S. Parsons-, 1868-73; John W. Kinyon, 1874-75; 
William H. Beals, 1876-79; Alonzo Pease, 1880-84; Parley M. Brown, 
1885-87; Horace W. Parsons, 1888-89; Abel W. Beach, 1890-93; Maurice 
O. Eggleston, 1894-97; David B. King, 1898-99. 

The town officers in 1899 are David B. King, supervisor; James E. 
Weller, town clerk; Charles J. Hayes, Charles H. Parsons, Frank Par- 
sons, assessors; David B. King, Hubert F. Strickland, Abel W. Beach, 
Garret Smith Morse, justices of the peace; Fred R. Wooster, collector; 
Will H. Slack, highway commissioner; Talcott Alderman, overseer of 
the poor. 

Population.— X'^U, 1,150; 1840, 1,285; 1845, 1,379; 1850, 3,456; 1855, 
1,324; 1860, 1,090; 1865, 1,339; 1870, 1,396; 1875, 1,427; 1880, 1,333; 
1890, 1,100; 1892, 1,133. 

In 1835 the town contained 7,457 acres of improved and 16,307 acres 
of unimproved land 64 militiamen; 233 electors; 1,628 head of neat 
cattle; 2,702 sheep; 975 swine; 8 saw mills and no grist mills. In that 
year there were manufactured in the town 253 yards of fulled cloth, 
2,395 yards of flannel, and 4,406 yards of cotton aud linen cloths. Then 
the post-offices were Chenango Forks and Hyde Settlement. 

Schools. — Previous to 1832 the public schools of Barker were a part of 
the system of Lisle, but in that year school commissioners Charles B. 
Beach, Reuben Winston, Franklin Hyde and Edward Hebard divided the 
new territory into districts suited to the convenience of the inhabitants. 
In ] 838 the number of children attending school was 373; while the 
children between the ages of 5 and 16 years were 364. In 1858 there 
were 14 districts and the number of children taught was 287. In 1899, 
as shown by the commissioner's report for the year ending July 31, the 
town contained 13 districts, each of which had a good school house. 
The amount of public moneys apportioned to the town was $1,859.95, 
while the amount raised by tax for school support was $2,728.37. The 
amount paid for teachers' wages was $4,284.87; school census, 311; 
number of books in libraries, 632. 

The early physicians of the town, with date of settlement, were Drs. 
Daniel Brainard, 1820 or '21 ; Alfred Cook, about 1828; Dr. Sheldon, 
about 1832; Reuben Winston, 1830; L. H. Haines, 1846; S. H. Harring- 
ton, 1856; William B. Squires, 1847; William Dorr, 1853; Royal R.Carr, 
1844; H. A. Carr, 1878; Z. A. Spendley, 1868; Weller Ross, 1883; Clark 
W. Greene, 1873. 



THE TOWN OF BARKER. 775 

VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. 

As has been stated Thomas Galhip and pioneers Barker and Rogers 
were the first occupants of the locality in which is situate the pleas- 
ant little village called Chenango Forks, but is not our purpose to 
here treat further upon the early history of the place other than to 
set forth the names of the men who had a part in passing events. 
The village is peculiarly situated, and although without corporate 
boundaries it lies in part in each of the towns of Chenango, Fenton, 
Greene and Barker, but chiefly in the latter town, of which it has 
always been regarded as a part. 

In the early history of the village Robert O. Edwards, John B. and 
Simeon Rogers were the leading developing factors, and through their 
energy the Forks early acquired an importance it otherwise never would 
have known. But speaking generally of the early factors in history 
here, mention may be made of the names of Faulkner, Bennett, 
Stephen Palmer, Jacob Ockerman, Gideon Rose, Oliver Willard (the 
old cloth dresser and grist miller), Dennison Hoadley (a shoemaker from 
Connecticut ; a very worthy citizen and the father of William and George 
Hoadley), Samuel Barker, Abraham Storms, Rev. Nicholas Lewis (an 
early minister of the M. E. church), and others whose names are men- 
tioned on earlier pages. 

Simeon Rogers, the pioneer, opened a stock of goods for sale in 
1795, hence was the first merchant in the town, if not the very first 
in the county (either Tioga or Broome). His stock, hov/ever, was 
neither large nor extensive. Mr. Edwards, in the course of a few 
years, opened a large store at the settlement and controlled an exten- 
sive trade. John B. Rogers began business in 1825 and for many years 
afterward was a conspicuous figure in local history. Diodat Cushman, 
Daniel W. Lowell and Maurice Hagaman were other early village mer- 
chants. George Hoadley, senior partner of the present firm of George 
Hoadley & Son, began business in 1864. In still earlier village history 
George Hoadley 's father was a tanner. C. N. Hollister succeeded Mr. 
Lowell in 1875, and was in trade here many years. E. L. Bowe suc- 
ceeded him. The store building is now occupied by Dr. McLean. 
Charles Terwilliger opened a general store in 1872. He was followed 
by Ferris & Bennett and E. S. Rogers. John W. Kinyon opened a 
hardware store in 1868, and the name is yet known in trade circles, J. 
W Kinyon jr. being present proprietor. The elder Kinyon succeeded 



776 THE TOWN OF BARKER. 

Daniel Smith. James Porter was a village tailor and clothier before 
the days of manufactured clothing. J. D. Seeber, furniture dealer and 
undertaker, began business in 1883. J. E. Weller, harness maker, opened 
a shop in 1870. He is the well known town clerk. T. R. Lakey opened 
a stock of boots and shoes in 1857, and afterward became owner of a 
large general store. 

Mr. Edwards, father of Robert O. Edwards, built a saw mill at 
the Forks in 1801, and Simeon Rogers built the first grist mill in 1805, 
the latter remaining in the Rogers family many years. Simeon Rogers 
also was the first postmaster, the office being one of the oldest in the 
county. Mr. R. was postmaster thirty years, and in Polk's administra- 
tion he was succeeded by Dr. Wm. B. Squires, Dr. Carr next suc- 
ceeded, then Theodore S. Rogers, Henry Rogers and the widow of the 
latter, in the order mentioned. 

In 1865 the business interests of Chenango Forks were represented as 
follows: Dr. S. H. Harrington, physician and druggist; Wm. H. and 
Geo. Hoadley, general store; J. H. Porter, general stock; D. Smith, 
hardware; D. Rogers, groceries and provisions; N. S. Kinyon, railroad 
eating house and saloon; J. English, bjot and shoe maker; O. H. Wil- 
lard, proprietor Willard's hotel, and dealer in groceries; E. H. and G. 
B. Edwards, canal contractors ; G. A. and H. F. Tuttle, harness makers ; 
N. S. Rogers, railroad station agent; G. Eldridge, carpenter and joiner; 
L. D. Copeland, master builder and carriage manufacturer; J. Palmer, 
blacksmith ; Theo. S. Rogers, postmaster; U. Richards, carpenter; S, 
A. Truesdell, citizen. 

The present business interests are chiefly represented as follows: 
Dr. McLean, physician and druggist; John N. Kinyon, jr., hardware; 
J. D. Seeber, furniture and undertaking; Charles and L. M. Peters, grist 
mill, successors to Johnson & Palmer; U. D. Strickland, saw and plan 
iug mill; E. L. Bowe, general store; George Hoadley & Son (managed 
by Wm. Hoadley) general store; H. F. Strickland, hardware; T. R. 
Lakey, grocery; N. R. Strong, proprietor Central hotel; S. P. Terwil- 
ligee, proprietor Terwilliger house; A. B, Elliott, jeweler. 

The village also has three churches — Protestant Episcopal, Congrega- 
tional and Methodist Episcopal — and a good graded district school. 

Another of the business enterprises of the village is the Broome 
County Herald, a live, flourishing weekly newspaper. It was estab- 
lished by F. D. Van Amburg, thence passed into the hands of W. E. 
Ames; thence to H. W. Crydenwise, and then again came into posses- 



THE TOWN OF SANFORD. 777 

sion of Mr. Ames, its present owner and publisher. The Herald has a 
good circulation and a paying advertising patronage. The paper is 
worthy of the support of all good citizens. 

The other hamlets of the town are hardly more than postoffice sta- 
tions established for the convenience of the inhabitants of their respec- 
tive localities, and are of little consequence in local history, 

Willard'xs, a station near Chenango Forks, and its interests comprise 
a hotel and a creamery, the latter owned by non residents. 

Itaska is the name of a recently established postoffice in the central 
part of the town. The business men here are F. E. Beach, merchant 
and postmaster; Theo. Phelps, merchant and saw mill ; Adriance & New- 
man, sawmillers; Henry Ranch, milk station. 

Hydeville is a postoffice in the western part of the town, in the his- 
toric Hyde Settlement, of which mention has been made. 

Anoka is a recently established postoffice (L. W. Dunham, pm.) on 
Dunham Hill in the southern central part of the town. 



CHAPTER XXXVIH. 

THE TOWN OF SANFORD. 

Sanford, on the extreme eastern border of Broome county, bounded 
north by Chenango county, east by Delaware county, and south by the 
Pennsylvania line, is the largest town in this county, and in many re- 
spects is one of the most independent civil jurisdictions in southern New 
York. Its principal village, lying partly in Broome and partly in Dela- 
ware county, is distant nearly forty miles from Binghamton, hence 
naturally its people have cultivated friendly relations with those of the 
territory east of themselves, and in a great measure have been taught 
the desirable qualities of independence and self-reliance. However, 
Sanford has sent to the county seat some of the strongest men who have 
honored Binghamton with an official residence; has sent to the legisla- 
ture several of the best representatives the county ever had, and like- 
wise has contributed to Binghamton some of its most honored profes- 
sional and business men. ^ 

The town was created by an act of the legislature, passed April '., 



778 THE TOWN OF SANFORD. 

1821, dividing- the town of Windsor, and including within the limits of 
the new jurisdiction an area of 55,400 acres of land. The physical fea- 
tures of the town generally are similar to those of other towns in the 
eastern part of Broome county, and require no special mention in this 
chapter; yet in Sanford is found the high dividing range of hills which 
form the watershed between the Susquehanna and Delaware rivers. 
One at least of these heights attains the extreme altitude of about 1,700 
feet, hence probably is the highest point of land in the county. The 
deep, narrow valley of Oquaga creek separates the highlands into two 
parts, and the stream itself, in its southerly course through the town, 
has numerous waterfalls, which in years past furnished an abund- 
ant water power for the saw and grist mills for which Sanford has been 
noted. 

The town comprises portions of several tracts of patented lands, 
chiefest among which were the Livingstone patent, which included the 
entire north part of the town, and with the sale of which Robert Harpur 
is believed to have been connected; the Fisher & Norton tract, which 
included a considerable area of land in the central part of the town ; the 
Randolph township, south of the tract last mentioned, together with 
several other smaller tracts owned by various proprietors, nearly all of 
whom acquired title from the commissioners of the land office, paying 
therefor a very moderate compensation. At that time, when the entire 
region of the state west of the "Line of Property " (this line was agreed 
upon at a treaty with the Indians at Fort Stanwix in 1768, and forms the 
eastern boundary of this town) was in the hands of speculating owners 
and proprietaries, each was constantly using every endeavor to effect 
the sale and settlement of his or their lands, and the prevailing custom 
was to have a resident agent on the tract as soon as the survey was 
completed. 

The survey of the Fisher & Norton tract was entrusted to William 
Macclure, an Irishman by birth, with a strong tracing of Scottish blood 
in his veins, a land surveyor by occupation, and the pioneer of Sanford 
by coincidence and circumstance. Mr. Macclure (later generations of 
the family abbreviated the name into McClure, hence the surname 
McClure as applied to families and also to one of the hamlets of the 
town) also became the owner of considerable land in the town, a part of 
which was probably " conceded " to him by the proprietors in compen- 
sation for his services and his good offices effecting settlement. The 
worthy surveyor came to the tract in 1787 and in the course of his 



THE TOWN OF SANFORD. 779 

travels found a number of squatters had preceded him and were culti- 
vating the land to a limited extent. They did not claim under title and 
anxiously inquired if they might not be quieted in their possession. 
This assurance Macclure could not give them, but promised a friendly 
intercession in their behalf, and to that end addressed himself to the 
various proprietors; but with what degree of success history does not 
record. 

Pioneer Macclure established his surveying headquarters at the 
mouth of Oquaga creek, where once was the Indian village called 
"Coke-ose," which name was corrupted by the whites into "Cook- 
house," In the Indian tongue the name signified " Owl's Nest," or 
" Owl Land." This locality is now the enterprising village of Deposit. 
After having determined to locate permanently in the locality, Macclure 
built a log cabin at a point five miles west of the mouth of the Oquaga, 
and gave to it the name "Castle William," in allusion to his own 
christian name. Later on he replaced this cabin with a substantial log 
house, and here in the early spring of 1791 he brought his wife, whom 
he had married in February of that year. Thus was founded what ever 
since has been known as McClure Settlement, the descendants of the 
pioneer having adopted the more modern name of McClure for Mac- 
clure, as previously known. The surname, however, has since been 
known in Sanford history. The pioneer himself died in 1826, aged 100 
years. His children were William, David, Henry, Walter, Sally, 
Thomas, Fanny and Prudence McClure, from whom descended the 
representatives of the surname known in later town history. The 
youngest daughter, Prudence, married Nicholas Hempstead, who was 
an early settler in the town. 

Capt. Nathan Dean, native of Massachusetts, and an officer of the 
American army during the revolution, came down the Delaware with 
his family and goods, and made a settlement on the site of Deposit in 
1791. For a time he occupied a log hut which probably had been the 
habitation of Cornelius Hynback, the former Indian trader of Coke-ose. 
Capt. Dean purchased 200 acres of land at the mouth of the Oquaga, 
and during the summer of 1791 he built a saw mill on that stream. 
Three years later he built a grist mill adjoining the saw mill, the struc- 
ture being on the site of the " Oquaga Mills " of later years. The 
enterprising pioneer also established a blacksmithingshop at this point, 
and by his efforts in every direction founded the'village settlement. 
He kept a stock of goods and traded with the other settlers, but through 



780 THE TOWN OF SANFORD. 

the evil schemes of certain sharpers and land grabbers he was nearly 
cheated out of all his property. However, through the timely assist- 
ance of William Macclure and David Hotchkiss (of Windsor), together 
with an enabling act of the legislature, the widow Dean (her husband 
having died at Easton, Pa., while returning from Philadelphia) regained 
nearly all the land on the Broome county side of the river, whereon 
stands the village of Deposit. The surname Dean ever has been pre- 
served in the town, and has been well and worthily represented. Capt. 
Dean's children were Nathan L., Joshua, Caleb and Zenas K. Dean, all 
of whom were closely identified wich the early history of the village and 
^^^ the town; and their descendants have been known in later history in 
' the same locality. 

Squire Whitaker, whose descendants for more than a century have 
been prominent figures in Sanford history, came to the Cook-house 
(Deposit) settlement in 1787. His family lived in the Wyoming Valley 
at the time of the "massacre," but having fled to Minisink, they es- 
caped the fate which befel others less fortunate. Squire and two of his 
brothers then joined with the volunteer force, whose purpose was to 
punish the Indians, hence his name is entitled to be enrolled with the 
patriots of the revolution. Mr. Whitaker's sons were John, Benjamin, 
Jesse and Stephen, and his daughters were Mary, Sally and Margaret 
Elizabeth. The latter married Conrad Edick at the Cook-house cabin 
of Squire Whitaker, that being the first marriage ceremony performed 
in the town. In subsequent years Mr. Edick was a worthy person in 
local annals, as indeed were all the children and descendants of pioneer 
Whitaker. Among them may be mentioned Stephen F. Whitaker, 
whose life was a worthy example for all men. 

Among the other early and prominent settlers in this part of the old 
town of Chenango (previous to the creation of Windsor Chenango was 
the mother town), were Moses Farnham, who located near the McClure 
Settlement about 1800; John Peters, who settled at Deposit about 1800; 
Simon and Zina Alderman, whose surname ever since has been known 
in Sanford history; Jonas Underwood, whose descendants gained a 
standing of prominence in the town; Silas Seward, a revolutionary 
patriot, who located on the road leading to Windsor in 1809, and in 
whose family were ten children; David Hempstead, who settled seven 
miles west of Deposit in 1809, and whose son Nicholas married the 
daughter of pioneer Macclure; John Radeker, a wheelwright, who 
came to build one of Capt. Dean's mills and who remained in the town 



THE TOWN OF SANFORD. 73, 

(the descendants of John Radeker have not been numerous in the 
county, but they have attained an excellent standing in professional, 
political and business circles in Sanford and Binghamton); Alfred Cor- 
win, another revolutionary soldier, who settled near Gulf Summit soon 
after the war of 1812-15, and in whose family were twelve children; 
Nathan and Eliab Austin, 1809; Seth Hall, who settled two miles above 
Deposit (Joel M. Hall, son of Seth, died in 1884); James P. Appling- 
ton, who settled in the vicinity of Sanford hamlet in 1800, and who was 
an early town official ; Nathaniel Blakesley, who came here about 1800; 
Luther Hulce, who came from Orange county about 1790 and who was 
an early justice of the peace; Benjamin and James Coburn, who settled 
in the town about 1800, the former at Sanford and the latter at North 
Sanford; Henry S, Hubbard, who came about 1812, and who had a 
large family of children ; John Pinney, an early settler near Sanford ; 
Comfort Pinney, brother of John; Mr. Potter, who soon removed to 
Pennsylvania; Luman Philley, the famous hunter who by an unfortu- 
nate accident killed a settler named Cornwall; George Plummer, who 
also enjoyed considerable fame as a hunter. 

Other early settlers, whose arrival in Sanford was somewhat later 
than that of those whose names have been briefly recalled in preceding 
paragraphs, were: Nicholas Gordinier (an extensive lumberman and 
farmer) ; Elisha Burrows (a revolutionary soldier, whose descendants 
are among Sanford's prominent men); Alfred T. Mosher, Nelson 
French, Eli King, Major Gilbert Dickinson (assemblyman in 18-13), 
Simeon Crane (a revolutionary soldier), William Thomson, Joel Crane, 
John Hamlin, Charles H. Stiles, Ezra Decker, Edward Atwell, Adam 
Kedzie, John, John R. and Sidney B. Merrill, Stephen Post and others 
whose names cannot now be recalled by descendants of the pioneers. 

In the same connection there may properly be mentioned, without 
extended comment, the names of other and later prominent factors in 
Sanford history: Matthias G. G. Valentine, Densmore Campbell, Lewis 
L. Russell, Levi Sexsmith, David Walker, John Aherns, Henry W. 
Wilcox, John Latham, Lewis Kniskern, Henry S. Jarvis, James M. 
Fletcher, Joseph Walker, Nelson G. Beers, Albert B. Tompkins, John 
W. Roberts, Robert L. McMurray, Killian Van Tassel, Elbert Allen, 
Bouton Booth, John Shiner, John C. White, George and Diar Baker 
(the latter supervisor since 1896), Eben N. Beardsley, Henry Bice, 
Charles K. Brown, Charles A. and Daniel E. Burrows, Alonzo Camp- 
bell, Hobart J. Adams, Galatia C. Valentine, Densmore Campbell, 



783 THE TOWN OF SANFORD. 

George Cheeseman, John Q. Clark, David Corwin, Joel Crane, Nelson 
Crane, John P. Dean, Alva F. Decker, Ezra Decker, Henry C. De 
Money, Alvin Devereaux, Marcus W. DeWitt, James M. Fletcher, 
William L. Ford, Emerson French, Nicholas N. Gordinier, William M. 
Gregory, Joel M. Hall, Rev. Adam K. Hamlin, Adariah Hamlin, Will- 
iam H. Hamlin, Henry M. and David T. Hempstead, James S., George 
H. and Archibald A. McMurray, John R. Merrill, Wesson Mosher, John 
B. and Charles B. Perry (the former a deputy sheriff in Dutchess county 
and the latter for several years deputy sheriff of Broome county), Gro- 
ver Pinney, Stephen Post, Daniel B. Post, Solomon Robbins, Jonas 
Rivenburgh, John W. Roberts, John M. Roberts, Lewis L. Russell, 
Luman P. Seward, James H. Scott, John Shiner, Charles H. Stiles, 
John H. Stone, Stephen Thorn, Levi B. Towner, Joseph Walker, Ste- 
phen F. Whitaker, Daniel N. Walling, Andrew E. Wickwire, Henry 
W. Wilcox, Joseph A White, James P. Applington, Alexander Butler, 
Joseph Eddy, John Peters, Joshua Dean, David H. Nash, Henry Greg- 
ory, Henry P. Ensign, Alexander Gumming, Thomas Heath, Charles 
Knapp, James H., Herbert W. and Charles J. Knapp, Tames A. Graves, 
George D. Wheeler, Luther T. Freeman, Delos Axtell, W. P. Scutt, 
Charles A. Wheeler, and others, thus continuing the list almost indefi- 
nitely, did space permit. However, as our narrative progresses the 
names of still other factors will be disclosed, for it is the purpose of 
this brief chapter to present in some manner the names of as many as 
possible of the men who have been factors in Sanford history. 

The Revolutionary roster of Sanford includes the names of Captain 
Nathan Dean, Alfred Corwin, Elijah Dickinson, Moses Lyon, Silas 
Seward, Jonas Underwood, Squire Whitaker and Elisha Burrows. 

From all that has been stated in preceding paragraphs, the reader 
must understand that settlement in this part of the old town of Che- 
nango was begun as early and increased as rapidly as in other localities; 
and that notwithstanding the fact that much of the most rugged and 
hilly land of the region was within the limits of the town now called 
Sanford. Indeed, so rapid was the settlement in this eastern part of 
Chenango that in 1807 it became necessary to divide the territory and 
to create the town of Windsor, the latter then including the present 
towns of Windsor, Sanford and Colesville, and then having less than 
2,000 inhabitants within the entire jurisdiction. During the next fif- 
teen years the development of Windsor was so rapid, and its population 
had increased to such an extent, that a division of the town was asked 



THE TOWN OF SANFORIX 



783 



for and was granted at the hands of the legislature, April 3, 1S21, at 
which time Colesville and Sanford were created, the former containing 
47,179 acres of land and the latter 55,400 acres, leaving to the mother 
town 54,573 acres of land. When set off from Windsor in ISil, San- 
ford contained less than 600 inhabitants. 

Organization.— \3xi6.^x the act creating the town the first town meet- 
ing was held March 5, 1822, at the house William McClure, at McClure 
Settlement. Officers were chosen as follows: 

William McClure, supervisor; Joshua Dean, town clerk; James Ap- 
plington, Nathan L. Dean and William McClure, assessors; Nathan L. 
Dean, Alexander Butler, William McClure, jr., commissioners of high- 
ways; John Peters, James Applington, overseers of the poor; William 
McClure, Nathan Dean, Alexander Butler, commissioners of common 
schools; Jacob Edick, collector; Jacob Edick and Joseph Eddy, con- 
stables; Daniel Evans, Gershom Loomis, Michael Child, inspectors of 
common schools; John Pinney, Eli King, Nathan Austin, fence view- 
ers. 

The succession of supervisors of Sanford is as follows: 

William McClure, 1822-23; Nathan L.Dean, 1824-25; David H.Nash, 
1826; Joshua Dean, 1827-28; David H.Nash, 1829; Joshua Dean, 1830- 
31; William McClure, 1832-33; Joshua Dean, 1834-44; Wm. McClure, 
1845-46; Henry Gregory, 1847; Wm. McClure, 1848-51 ; Joshua Dean, 
1852; Wm. McClure, 1853; Henry P. Ensign, 1854-57; James E. 
Thompson, 1858; Henry P. Ensign, 1859-(;0; Alvin Devereau, 186J ; 
Henry P. Ensign, 1862-63; W. S. Russ, 1864; Thomas Heath, 1865- 
66; William L. Ford, 1867; W. S. Russ, 1868; Alexander Gumming, 
1869; W. S. Russ, 1870-71; John E. Knapp, 1872; Alvin Devereau, 
1873-77; Taylor More, 1878; Daniel N. Walling, 1879; James A.Graves, 
1880; Daniel N. Walling, 1881-83; Nelson Crane, 1884-86; Galatia C. 
Valentine, 1887; Hobart J. Adams, 1888-89 John H. Stone, 1890-93; 
Joseph A. White, 1894-95; Diar Baker,'1896-99. 

The town officers for 1889 are Diar Baker, supervisor (and chairman 
of the board); Silas G. Barnum, town clerk; Edward J. Moore, col- 
lector; G S. Williams, Matthew L. Kniskern, C. E. Scott, John Swart, 
justices of the peace; Andrew Brice, John P. Dean, Horatio N. French, 
assessors; Charles H. Sliter, highway commissioner; Wallace E. Mc- 
Clure, B. Andrus Col well, overseers of the poor; Charles B. Perry, 
game constable. 

The first justices of the peace of Sanford, appointed in 1822, were 



784 THE TOWN OF SANFORD. 

Nathan K. Dean, Eli King, James P. Applington, Zina Alexander and 
Harvey M. Coburn. 

Population.— 1^=16, 692; 1830, 931; 1835, 1,143; 1840, 1,172; 1845, 
1,618; 1850, 2,508; 1855, 3,060; 1860, 3,061; 1865, 3,262; 1870. 3,249; 
1875, 3,653; 1880, 3,495; 1890, 3,265; 1892, 3,314. 

Schools. — Previous to 1822 the common schools of what is now 
Sanford were a part of the older town of Windsor, and were organ- 
ized in 1814 in accordance with the law enacted the preceding year. 
In 1822 the scattered inhabitants of Sanford were fairly well provided 
with schools for the instruction of their children, and commissioners 
McClure, Dean and Butler had little to do beyond a re-arrangement 
of the districts along the western boundary. The duties of inspec- 
tors Evans, Loomis and Child were still less onerous, and pertained 
only to the conduct of the schools. In 1823 the entire territory of the 
town comprised only five school districts, and many children were 
compelled to travel several miles to attend school. At that time, how- 
ever, there were only 138 children in Sanford between the ages of five 
and fifteen years. 

In 1838 the population of the town had so increased that the territory 
comprised 15 districts, and school was kept four months during the 
year. In that year the amount of public moneys apportioned to the 
town was $206.79, and the number of children between the ages of five 
and sixteen years was 347. 

According to the present disposition of school interests, the town 
comprises twenty-seven districts, five of which are joint districts and 
have no school house in this county. As shown by the commissioner's 
report for the year ending July 31, 1899, the amount of public school 
moneys apportioned to the town was $4,097.90, while the amount raised 
by local tax was $10,235.94. During the year there was paid for teach- 
ers' wages the sum of $11,248.16. The school census was 973; number 
of books in school libraries, 2,762. 

For a period of three-quarters of a century Sanford has been known 
as one of the most progressive and productive towns in southern New 
York; and an actual comparison with other towns will show as many 
men in Sanford who by enterprise, thrift and straightforward honesty 
have acquired fortunes and a position of influence as can be found in 
any town in the southern tier. This is not an idle observation, for it is 
a fact that Sanford has produced a splendid proportion of successful 
business men, and in comparison in this respect with other similarly 



THE TOWN OF SANFORD. 785 

situated towns along the southern border of the state, it stands almost 
if not quite at the head. 

Many of these good results have been gained during the hist half 
century. In 1835 when the town was a little more than ten years old 
it contained only 5,119 acres of improved land, while the unimproved 
areas aggregated 48,671 acres. Then the assessed valuation of real 
property was $101,011, with no assessment whatever on personal prop- 
erty. In 1899 the assessed valuation of real property was $1,363,545; 
and of personal property $125,000. In the year first mentioned the 
town contained 234 qualified electors, and 114 men who were among 
the enrolled militia. The thrifty farmers then owned 1,056 head of 
neat cattle, 201 horses, 1,565 sheep, and 722 swine. During the year 
there were in operation three grist mills, 16 saw mills and one potash- 
ery. There were manufactured in the town 1,399 yards of fulled cloth, 
3,118 yards of flannel, and 2,099 yards of cotton and linen cloths, all of 
which was used for domestic purposes. At the present time the char- 
acter of manufactures has wholly changed, the industries are far greater 
both in number and commercial importance, and Sanford, particularly 
the village of Deposit, has developed into an industrial center, manu- 
facturing for the general market vast quantities of products of labor. 

VILLAGE OF DEPOSIT. 

In the easternmost extremity of Broome county is situated the oldest 
incorporated village of the county, and also the oldest in point of set- 
tlement. Binghamton, the county seat, did not acquire the corporate 
character until 1813, and even that was limited in extent and no real 
municipal organization was effected under it. But Deposit assumed 
the dignity of a corporate village in 1811, at which time it was the prin- 
cipal seat of lumber operations on the Delaware river in this state, and 
also was the most important lumbering point along the northern bound- 
ary of Pennsylvania. 

However, in explanation of the preceding paragraph, the statement 
must be made that Deposit village comprises parts of Sanford in 
Broome county and Tompkins in Delaware county, and that the old vil- 
lage incorporated in 1811 lay on the Delaware county side of the division 
line. Still, in later years the village grew to the westward until nearly 
all the principal interests lay on the Broome county side. Deposit for 
more than half a century has been regarded as a Broome county muni- 

50 



786 THE TOWN OF SANFORD. 

cipality, and will be so treated in this work, without especial reference 
to the territory east of our county line. 

The village was named " Deposit" from the fact that it was an im- 
portant station, or place of "deposit" for logs and lumber preparatory 
to rafting in ' ' the spring freshets. " For many years this was the center 
of a large lumber business, and also was an important trading station 
and wood depot on the line of the N. Y. & E. railroad. In 1855 the 
total population of the village was 1,249 inhabitants, of whom 593 were 
residents of Tompkins and 656 of Sanford. 

On the old village site John Hulce undoubtedly was the first white 
settler, in 1789. Two years later Capt. Dean and Philip Pine located 
on each side of the "property line," the captain on the west and Pine 
on the east side. Capt. Dean built the mills, started a blacksmith and 
forging works, hence laid the foundation for the hamlet settlement. 
Among the other early settlers in the immediate vicinity were Daniel 
and Peter Pine, sons of Philip; David, Samuel and John Hulce, sons of 
John; William Walker, Benjamin Hawley, Isaac Gillett, Gideon Wiest, 
Samuel Butler, Thaddeus Mather, Henry M. Gregory, Thaddeus Bene- 
dict, Joseph Webb, Jonas Park, Henry Flint, Randall Briggs, Hub- 
bard, Peres, Elisha and Daniel Burrows and still others whose names 
are not now recalled. Nearly all, however, of the persons here men- 
tioned were settlers east of the property line, but nevertheless were 
factors in early Deposit history. Indeed, much of the business of the 
village was done east of the line until the construction of the N. Y. & 
E. railroad when trade naturally sprung up near the station, the 
latter being on the Broome county side. 

At Deposit the work of construction was begun in November, 1845, 
(one authority says November 7, 1835) and the road was opened for 
traffic between Port Jervis and Binghamton on Dec. 28, 1848; and 
within a year or two after that event the village on the west side began 
to draw business interests away from the older settlement. 

In 1851 the village charter was granted, and the corporation limits 
were thereby extended into Broome county. The board of trustees 
under the re incorporation comprised Uriah Gregory, Charles Knapp, 
P. K. Williams and G. D. Wheeler. Mr. Knapp was chosen president, 
and S. D. Hulce, clerk. In 1873 the village charter was materially 
amended and under its provisions the municipality has since been 
governed. 

The first merchants in the village on the Broome county side of the 



THE TOWN OF SANFORD. 787 

line were Benjamin and Peter Gardner, who, away back in 1790, brought 
eight sleigh-loads of goods from New York and set up a store' in Capt. 
Dean's building which stood where now is the Oquaga house. Benj. 
Gardner died in 1797, after which the store was maintained by his part- 
ner and Fletcher Gardner until the increasing interests of the old vil- 
lage drew all trade to that side. However, the extent to which old 
mercantile interests should be written in this chapter is one of some 
doubt. It can hardly be expected that the name of every merchant of 
the village can be recalled, and if so, the record thereby made would not 
have any special value. During its history Deposit has been the seat of 
business of hundreds of men, many of whom were here for a time and 
then moved away. Others remained and became important factors in 
village history ; and it is the names of this class of residents that we hope 
to mention in this chapter. 

William L. Ford opened a general store in the village in 1864, from 
which time to the present he has been a prominent figure in local his 
tory. He has held various village and town offices; was supervisor in 
1867, and was assemblyman in 1853, .1872 and again in 1873. In 1865 
the firm of Ford & Perry (William L. Ford and John B. Perry) moved 
from the old village to the new, and thereafter were the leading mer- 
chants of the place for a period of twenty years. In 1882 Mr. Perry 
sold out to Mr. Ford, upon which the well known firm of Ford & Rogers 
was established, S. R. Morehouse was a grocer here in the early 'fifties. 
John D. Studdert opened a grocery store about 1867. Thomas Halpin 
began merchandising previous to 1860, and later on took his brother 
Michael as partner. Thompson & Demander, Devereaux & Clark and 
W. S. Russ are also recalled among the old-time business houses. The 
old firm of Putnam & Minor (Charles M. Putnam and James S. Minor) 
began business as partners in 1862, and from the firm has grown two 
strong mercantile houses of the present day. 

Among the other business men of the village mention may be made 
E. F. Smith, William Loder, D. L. Demoney, C. R. Demoney, J. T. 
Burrows, Radeker & Smith, John M. Smith, A. R. Vail (who began 
dealing in dry goods in 1869), C. E. Vail & Co. (C. E. and A. R. Vail, 
who at one time stood at the head of Deposit's business houses), J. B. 
Stow (who began business in the old village in 1847), H. W. Burrows 
(the first boot and shoe dealer in the new village), Sherwood & Male 
(successors to C. R. Male, who began business in 1870). 

Minor & Smith opened a hardware store about 1855. Albert P. 



788 THE TOWN OF SANFORD. 

Minor succeeded the firm about 1878, and founded the present firm 
of A. P. Minor & Son. Wickwire & Russell (A. E. Wickwire and 
M. C. Russell) hardware merchants, began in 1867, and are now 
among the oldest business men in the county. 

Williams & Birge were the oldest druggists, beginning about 1850. 
Later merchants in the same line have been Charles K. Brown, who 
began business in 1859 as drug clerk, then as proprietor, and continu- 
ing many years. Henry Bixby, Charles Wheeler, G. North, S. D. 
Smith and Dr. B. G. McCabe are also to be mentioned among the more 
recent druggists of the \illage. 

Charles Watkins, J. C. McNaught, Henry T. Smith & Co., Thomas 
Gallagher, William Robertson, A. B. & C. E. Martin, Tiffany & 
Mosher, Henry Simpson, L. J. Hallock, Mr. Halpin and Mr. Stoddard 
have represented the grocery line of local trade. Walter Vail and A. 
L. Scudder represented the jewelry trade. William J. Freeman was 
the village cabinet and furniture maker as early as 1850, and was fol- 
lowed by Brown & Horton (Robert Brown and Silas D. Horton), 
Brown & More and George More, T. M. Bixby must also be noticed 
among Deposit's cabinet makers. Andrew Jackson, Walter Jackson 
and G. M. Babcock were old harness makers. George Demander was 
the first village blacksmith. Charles Tidd, Jacob Bullock, Eben N. 
Beardsley and Hallock & Miles also were old village blacksmiths. 

Among the old carriage makers mention may be made of Kingsley & 
Ives, I. C. Ball, Gilbert McClure, George Demander and John Smith. 

Now, for the purposes of more accurate record, let us see who were 
the business men of Deposit in 1865: Charles Knapp, banker; A. C. 
Moses, Alex. Gumming and Taylor More, attorneys; Heath & Smith, 
prop's Oquaga house; V. Hugunen, prop. Western hotel; L.-P. Allen, 
publisher Delaware Courier; J. L. Wager, dentist; Ford & Perry, Put- 
nam & Minor, W. S. Russ, B. E. Hadley, Gallagher & Dailey and B 
Radeker, general merchants; Clark & Brown, drugs and medicines; A. 
T. Burrows, hardware; Bailey & Scudder, jewelers; H. Burrows & Son, 
dealers in and makers of boots and shoes; J. Carle, saloon; George 
Demander, blacksmith ; G. L. & A. M. Babcock, planing mill, sash and 
door factory; A. White, tailor and clothier; J. M. Herring, sash, door 
and blind factory and planing mill; E. Van Fliet, prop. Oquaga mills; 
E. Beardsley, blacksmith; Alvin Devereaux, tanner, one mile from vil- 
lage; A. Jackson, harness maker, one-half mile from the depot. 

Alvin Devereaux, of whom mention has been made, was one of the 



THE TOWN OF SAN FORD. 



789 



largest employers of labor among Deposit's business men. He came to 
the town in 1847 and built a saw mill, adding to his extensive lumber- 
mg operations a large tannery in 1848. With tliese enterprises both he 
and his son were connected until about 1885. He also was a large land 
owner, and carried on extensive dairying interests. Six times Mr 
Devereaux was elected supervisor of Sanford, and twice was he the 
nominee of his party (Democratic) for the assembly. 

The milling industries of Deposit were interests both of the village 
and the town, as many of the buildings were located outside the corpo 
ration boundaries; yet, in this brief allusion to them they may be treated 
as local enterprises. The pioneer miller was Capt. Dean, of whom 
mention has been made. On the Whitaker farm John Stiles'and one of 
the Whitakers built a mill about 1840. About the same time Nelson 
Hotchkiss built a mill at Hale's Eddy, and Nicholas Gardinier another 
on Shad Pond creek. In 1845 M. R. Hulce had two mills on Butler 
creek, about two miles northwest of the village. 

The original Dean grist mill in the village passed from its first owner 
into the hands of John T. Peters, who operated it a full half century, 
and who was its owner when the buildings were burned in 1850. Henry 
Shelden rebuilt the mill, called it " Shelden's mill," operated it for a 
time, and was succeeded (probably) by Stephen F. Whitaker, the latter 
selling to Knapp Bros, in 1880. The present village grist mill is 
operated by the Deposit Milling company, (capital $30,000) which was 
incorporated July 9, 1897, by Charies P. Smith, E. Frank Smith and 
Andrew E. Lovejoy. 

Briefly noted, the other manufacturing interests of the village are as 
follows: The Deposit Manufacturing company, incorporated January 
12, 1889, with $30,000 capital, for the purpose of manufacturing and 
selling children's sleds, shovels and other novelties. The prime movers 
of the enterprise were Daniel L. Demoney, Wm. R. Wilcox and Silas 
D. Horton. This is one of Deposit's substantial present industries. 

The Deposit Iron company, also incorporated, is about the only ex- 
tensive industry of its kind in the county. Its product is malleable iron 
castings of high grade. It is owned and controlled chiefly by local 
capital. 

The New York Condensed Milk company gives employment to few 
workmen, but takes from the farmers of the entire region all their sur- 
plus supply of milk, paying therefor a fair cash price. The works have 
a capacity to make 15,000 cans of condensed milk daily. 



790 THE TOWN OF SANFORD. 

The Deposit Canning company is one of the prospective industries of 
the village, not yet being in full operation. 

The Deposit Pearl Button company is an industry of the Delaware 
side of the line, yet may be' mentioned among local interests. 

The Deposit Building and Improvement company was incorporated 
Nov. 16, 1891, for the purpose of buying, improving and selling real 
property. Its incorporators were Joseph White, Robert Brown, F. L. 
Weaver, Dr. W. B. Minor, Arba B. Evans, C. E. Scott and Robert S. 
Blything. 

The Deposit Electric company was incorporated Dec. 31, 1891, (capi- 
tal, $12,000) by C. M. Putnam, C. H. Putnam, Charles P. Knapp, Charles 
A. Wheeler, Charles R. Smith, John W. Kniskern, Paul Devereau, A. 
E. Wickwire, B. E. Radeker, Chas. N. Stow, E. F. Smith and A. S. 
Wickwire. 

The Deposit Board of Trade was incorporated March 18, 1895, for 
the purpose of promoting the manufacturing and mercantile interests 
of the village. Twenty eight prominent citizens joined in the move- 
ment and became members of the board. The first board of trustees 
comprised Chas. K. Brown, Chas. H. Pitnam, Herbert J. Adams, Sliter 

D. Smith, Charles N. Stow, Oliver T. Bundy, Joseph A. White, Henry 
W. Wilcox, Charles B. Perry, Charles A. Wheeler, Charles P. Knapp 
and Robert Brown. 

The present leading dry goods merchants are Chas. H. Putnam & 
Son, Edick & Masten, F. L. Perkins (lately succeeded by Bryant & 
Tucker) and Mrs. B. S. Wilcox & Co. The hardware merchants are 
A. P. Minor & Son, Frank Dunn and Wickwire & Russell. A. B. & C. 

E. Martin are proprietors of a general store, one of the largest con- 
cerns of its kind in the county outside the city. 

The Oquaga House was opened previous to 1850, and during the 
period of its history has passed through several proprietorships. At 
present it is in the hands of vS. D. Sawyer & Son. The Central hotel 
originally was a store building and was converted into a tavern by Tay- 
lor Sherwood, whose name it took. Under the later proprietorship of 
Seth Warrington the name changed with ownership. About 1880, un- 
der landlord Stetson, the house became known as the Central Hotel. 
Its present landlord is Mrs. L. M. Stiles. The Western hotel was built 
in 1853. The Exchange hotel is a later institution, and is under the 
proprietorship of Henry Quick. 

The Deposit bank was incorporated July 28, 185G, with a capital of 



THE TOWN OF SANFORD. 791 

$125,000, by Charles Knapp, Charles Maples, Henry S. Jarvis, Henry 
Sheldon, Barna Radeker, Richard Knight and Peter R Wright.'not one 
of whom is now living, although forty years ago each was a prominent 
figure in Broome or Delaware county history. 

The bank continued in prosperous existence until 18G4, when it was 
converted into the " Deposit National Bank," with the old directors and 
officers. From that until the present time the bank has been regarded 
as one of the safe financial institutions of the southern tier, worthy of 
confidence and perfectly sound. This has been said of the bank ever 
since it first began business in 1856. 

The founder in fact of the Deposit bank was Charles Knapp, who 
came to Deposit in 1848, and then was a man of means and influence. 
He had been a successful lumberman, and engaged in some such enter- 
prises after settling in this village. In 1854 he opened a private bank, 
and two years later founded the Deposit bank. He was its president 
throughout the period of its existence, and also of the successor insti- 
tution, the Deposit National bank, until the time of his death in 1881. 
The next president was James H. Knapp, son of the founder, upon 
whose death Charles J. Knapp, another son, was elected to the position. 
For many years the Deposit National has been regarded as a " family" 
bank, owned almost wholly by the descendants of Charles Knapp, who 
indeed was principal owner of the old Deposit bank. However, of the 
sons of Charles Knapp (James H., Herbert W. and Charles J.) only one 
survives, and he, Charles J. Knapp, the present president of the bank, 
and also president of the Binghamton Trust company. 

The Deposit National bank has a present capital of $100,000. Its 
officers are: Charles J. Knapp, president, and Charles P. Knapp, cash- 
ier; directors, C. J. Knapp, C. P. Knapp, F. P. Knapp, Josie E. Knapp 
and Elsie Knapp Wheeler. 

The Deposit Courier, the leading newspaper of the region, and never 
more popular than under its present management, was started in 1848 
by M. R. Hulce. About 1855 the name was changed to Delaware 
Courier, and the paper advocated Free Soil doctrines. Lucius P. Allen, 
the next owner, restored the old name and made its political tone 
thoroughly Republican. Blunt & Smith were the next owners, followed 
in 1869 by Charles N. Stow, the veteran publisher, under whom the 
paper prospered as never before, and wielded a wide influence in the 
community. Mr. Stow still is at the helm and is one of the oldest 
newspaper men in this part of the state. His service has been long and 
honorable, and he deservedly enjoys the respect of all our people. 



792 THE TOWN OF SANFORD. 

In 1856 C. E. Wright attempted to get a foothold in county journal- 
ism with a newspaper in the village under the patronage of an associa- 
tion; but the effort was unsuccessful. In 1874 S. C. Clizbe started the 
Deposit Times and Democrat, but after two years publication was sus- 
pended. 

The Deposit water works system was established in 1885, at a cost of 
$30,000. One previous attempt to form a company to supply the vil- 
lage with water for fire and domestic purposes proved unsatisfactory, 
but the company afterward organized proved an efficient body and sup- 
plied "the long felt want." The present officers of the company are: 

E. F, Smith, president; A. P. Minor, treasurer; and C. K. Brown, 
secretary. 

The Deposit Agricultural society, now virtually a thing of the past, 
was organized in 1877, having its chief seat of operations in Deposit, 
although the society itself was an institution of the towns of Sanford, 
Tompkins, Hancock, Mason ville and Scott (Penna. ). 

Incorporation. — Referring again briefly to the subject of village in- 
corporation, it may be stated that the act of April, 1811, conferred only 
limited powers on the inhabitants of Deposit, in the county of Dela- 
ware, and was not an act of full incorporation within the present mean- 
ing of the term. Subsequently the village on both sides of the county 
line was regularly incorporated, as has been noted, but by the act of 
March 2, 1858, the corporate power was greatly enlarged by amend- 
ments. By the act of April 29, 1873, the village boundaries included 
826 acres of land, 400 acres in Sanford and 426 acres in Tompkins. 

The principal feature of the amendment of 1886 (March 8) was the 
authorization of a village fire department, which was informally organ- 
ized away back in 1853 and reorganized in 1885. As now constituted 
the department consists of two hose companies, one hook and ladder 
company and two supply wagons. It is one of the most popular and 
efficient village fire organizations in the southern tier, and much of the 
credit for this excellent condition is due to the enterprising business 
men of Deposit and the suggestions and leadership of Chief Perry. 

The present department officers are: Charles B. Perry, chief engi- 
neer; G. W. Wheeler, first asst., and Henry Burrows, second asst. 
engineer. 

The village hall was built in 1899, and cost $7,000; lot cost $1,000. 

The present officers of the village are: Albert P. Minor, president; 

F. L. Weaver, A. E. Lovejoy, E. P. Halpin and W. E. Reynolds, trus- 



THE TOWN OF SAN FORD. 



798 



tees; Calvin Onderdonk, clerk; Albert P. Davis, collector; Charles B. 
Perry, treasurer; Charles B. Perry, street commissioner'; Robert B. 
Riggs, police justice. The village trustees are also village assessors. 

The population is 2,200; bonded debt, $8,000. 

Schools.— Th.Q first academic school in Deposit was erected in 1830, 
and was burned in 1835. In 1851-2 a seminary building was erected] 
and on March 17, 1854, the institution was incorporated by the regents 
under the name of Laurel Bank seminary. It afterward became a pri- 
vate school and finally the buildings were sold under process of law. 
In 1866-7 an academy was built on the Sanford side of the line. The 
institution was maintained several years with indifferent success, and in 
1875 it became the property of the Deposit Union school and academy 
district, then recently organized under the Union school laws. The 
building was extensively remodeled in 1881, and since has been kept 
in excellent condition. In 1899 the district received from the regents 
the sum of $670.37, and from the tuition of non-district pupils, $375. 
Twelve teachers were employed during the year. The district census 
showed 489 children of school age. 

The present board of education comprises Albert P. Minor, president; 
E. P. Halpin, G. W. Wheeler, H. J. Adams, A. E. Lovejuy, W. M. 
Jackson, C. Van Schoyk, J. T. Burrows and C. H. Putnam. 

Deposit was made a post-office about 1813, the office of course being 
located in the old village. It was removed to the Broome county side 
about 1850. The postmasters have been William Butler, Simon Lusk, 
George D. Wheeler, Marshal R. Hulce, Addison J. Wheeler, C. E. 
Wright, S. D. Hulce, O. S. Dean, L. P. Allen, Ambrose Hunt, John 
B. Perry, J. B. Stow, E. B. Adams, E. G. Dean, J. A. White, C. T. 
Alverson and C. H. Putman, the latter being present postmaster. 

The village has six organized church societies, of which mention will 
be found in another department of this work. 

McClure Settlement dates back in its history to the time when Will- 
iam Macclure built his primitive cabin here during his surveying opera- 
tions, more than a century ago. Then the region was a dense, unculti- 
vated wilderness ; now it is the center of an excellent agricultural dis- 
trict. The hamlet is a station on the line of the Erie railroad, but from 
a business standpoint it has little prominence in local annals. The 
post-office was established in 1865, Charles Hewitt being the first post- 
master. Many years ago the Post Bros, had a large saw mill here, and 
manufactured 4,000,000 feet of lumber annually. 



794 THE TOWN OF SANFORD. 

In 1881 the firm of Bayless & Berkalew (John Bayless and Jehiel W. 
Berkalew) established an acid factory at the settlement. It is still in 
operation and is the leading industry of the hamlet. Here, too, is the 
seat of operations of the Delaware Valley Milk company. The store is 
kept by Vernon P. Mace. 

The institutions of McClure Settlement comprise a M. E. church and 
a good graded district school 

North Sanford was made a post station soon after 1850, the postmas- 
ter being David Devol, who was the local merchant at that time. 
Among the factors in the history of this locality were the Wakeman 
and Mosher families, also Mr. Devol, Hiram Fuller, Silas Wakeman, 
Wesson Mosher, G. W. Bixby, Alonzo Campbell, Warren Walden, 
Theodore Campbell, F. Bixby, S. G. Barnum, Hezekiah Broad (grist 
and saw miller), Ebenezer Warner, Lewis Burlingame, Henry Hamlin, 
Joshua Belden, Alva Whitney, John Swart, Alexander Graham, Van 
Duzen & Knapp, George Whitlock, William H. Crawford, Charles A. 
Wheeler, W. A. Chamberlain and others, each of whom was identified 
with the succeeding business interests which have been established at 
the settlement and in its locality. Two creameries were built near here 
in 1881, and that now in operation, owned by S. S. Brown, is an indus- 
try of far more than ordinary note. 

The only merchant now in business here is Fred. E Hamlin, who 
has a large general store and who also is postmaster. William Hamlin 
has a steam saw mill. The other institutions of the village comprise 
the Baptist and Methodist churches, and the district school. In the 
village proper are about fifteen houses. 

Sanford is a hamlet near the center of the town, on Oquaga creek, 
from which fact it was originally known as the Creek settlement ; but 
when the post-office was established here, about 1830, the more digni- 
fied name of Sanford was adopteed. 

Forty years ago Sanford was a busy center "of trade. In 1865 the 
business men of the locality were: O. Jacobs, justice of the peace, 
tanner and currier; S. Fancher, tanner, one-fourth of a mile from the 
village; A. H. Philley, boot and shoe maker; E. Pinney, farmer; 
A. T. Mosher (or Mosier), hop grower on lot 12; W. H. Hamlin, hop 
grower on lot 24. Andrew Kedzie and G. Keyes were nearby promi- 
nent residents. M r. Jacobs kept the Plank Road house. 

Among the other factors in local history may be mentioned Samuel 
Whitney, Hiram Daniels, A. J. Ketchum, Thomas Culver, Uriel Pome- 



THE TOWN OF SANFORD. 795 

loy and Matthew L. Kniskern, the latter having been a prominent 
figure here for many years, and the present postmaster. The local 
merchant is Sidney G. Scutt, who keeps a general store. There is a 
district school and a Methodist Episcopal church. 

Gulf Summit is a post-office and station on the Erie railroad, in the 
southwest part of the town, about seven miles from Deposit. A direc- 
tory of its business interests^ forty years ago would have mentioned the 
names of Williams & Wire, merchants; A. A. Kedzie, government 
assessor; S. H. Knapp, justice of the peace and blacksmith; L. Huga- 
boom, farmer and mechanic. To these there may be added the names 
of David Corwin and George S. Williams, who were later factors, and 
also the names of S. E. Hempstead and Charles Shiner, present mer- 
chants. In this locality are a district school and a Presbyterian church. 

Howe's is a post-office in the northwest part of the town, on the old 
plank road. Here is located the famous creamery that has brought 
such good results to Philo P. Howe, the proprietor, and for whom the 
post-office is named. The store in the locality is kept by R. B. 
Thompson. 

Oqiiaga Lake, at which place a post-office was established in 1884, has 
attracted considerable attention during the last ten years as a summer 
resort. The surroundings are pleasant and it only remains for some 
enterprising promoter to make this the most popular resort in the 
county. 

Dannville is a hamlet two miles southwest of Oquaga lake. Its inter- 
ests comprise the M. E. and Baptist churches. 



796 THE TOWN OF CONKLI-N. 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 

THE TOWN OF CONKLIN. 

Conklin was formed from Chenango, March 29, 1824. A small part 
of i's territory was annexed to Windsor in 1831, and in 1851 a portion 
of the latter town was annexed to Conklin. Kirkwood was formed 
wholly from Conklin, November 23, 1859, taking all the territory of the 
latter which lay north and east of the Susquehanna river. 

The town contains 15,029 acres of land and, except Dickinson, is 
smallest in area of the county's civil divisions; but notwithstanding its 
comparatively small size, Conklin is by no means an inferior town in 
the county, and contains a good proportion of superior agricultural 
land and a quality of population that is unsurpassed in the county. The 
earliest settlers were themselves men of exceptional strength and their 
best traits appear to have been transmitted from sire to son through a 
series of several generations. Furthermore for many years the popu- 
lation appears to have been more fixed and permanent than in many 
other purely agricultural towns, and the embarrassments which reduced 
the number of inhabitants elsewhere have not been so seriously felt in 
Conklin, although to a limited extent their effect has been noticeable. 
The determination and thrift of Conklin farmers have overcome many 
obstacles and established a healthful condition of affairs for all its peo- 
ple. 

The town comprises portions of Bingham's and Thomas' patents, the 
Lydig tract and Floyd's patent. The principal watercourse is the Sus- 
quehanna river, with Big and Little Snake creeks as tributaries. Both 
of these lesser streams have their source in the town of Binghamton, 
hence intersect this town thoroughly draining its land surface. 

The pioneers of Conklin were Ralph Lathrop, Jonathan Bennett and 
Waples Hance, all of whom are said to have located near the mouth of 
Big Snake creek in the early part of 1788. But little of the subsequent 
history of these pioneers is now known. Lathrop is said to have died 
insane. Hance eventually moved further up the creek, where he opened 
a farm and where he attained a good old age. His descendants are 



THE TOWN OF CONKLIN. 797 

found in the south part of the town of Binghamton and also in the 
city. 

David Bound, whose descendants are still in the county, came to the 
mouth of Snake creek in 1795 from New Jersey. Robert Corbett came 
from Massachusetts in 1796 and founded a family settlement at Cor- 
bettsville, the name still being maintained in the town, and descendants 
of the pioneer still living here. Cooper and Sewell Corbett were sons of 
Robert, and they perhaps were more prominently identified with the 
early history of the town than was their father. Frank Corbett, Ira 
Corbett and Julius S. Corbett were later substantial descendants of 
Robert Corbett. Marshall J. Corbett, of Corbettsville and New York 
city, is also a descendant of the pioneer. Robert Corbett's daughter 
Ruth married Daniel Leach, and early settler of the town. 

Among the other early settlers may be recalled the name of Noel Carr, 
who came about 1800. Asa Rood, who settled near Corbettsville about 
1807, and from whom descended several prominent figures in local 
annals; Benjamin Horton who came from Chenango county and settled 
in the southwest part of the town, near Conklin Forks, where he built 
the first house; Daniel Brooks, father of Hiram K. Brooks, the latter 
having been born in Conklin in 1827; Ira Gardner, who came from 
Essex county in 1826, and who was prominently connected with early 
civil history; Isaac Bishop, a Connecticut Yankee, who came about 1828; 
John A. Severson, whose family came from Albany county about 1820, 
and whose descendants are still in the town and city. 

Edmund Lawrence came from Massachusetts in 1813 and settled in 
what is now Conklin. He was a prominent man in early history, just as 
his sons were equally important figures in the later history of the town. 
Decendants of Edmund Lawrence are now in the town and also are 
found in Binghamton, engaged in business pursuits. 

Hull Stratton came into the town from Massachusetts when there 
were hardly half a dozen cleared farms between Chenango Point and 
Corbettsville. Mr. Stratton had three children, Gould Stratton, the 
famous Susquehanna river pilot, being his only son. The Stratton sur- 
name is still preserved in Binghamton. 

Samuel Bayless came from New Jersey and settled in Conklin some- 
time previous to 1820. He had two sons, John and Henry Bayless, 
both of whom were prominent figures in early history here. John Bay- 
less was an influental man in county politics and was one of the leaders 
of the old Whig party. He became general of state militia, hence was 



798 THE TOWN OF CONKLIN. 

always afterwards addressed as " General " Bayless. He died in Bing-- 
hamton about twenty years ago. John Bayless is the son, and ex-mayor 
George C. and also Frank J. Bayless are grandsons of General Bayless. 
Henry Bayless spent his life in Conklin and Kirkwood, dying in the 
latter town. 

In addition the names of Amos Brant, Friend H. Burt (member of 
assembly), Cornelius Winans, Nicholas Levee, Alfred Bagley (father of 
Church Bagley), Burtis J. Bayless, Aaron Van Wormer, Benjamin W. 
Lawrence, Nathaniel J. Finch, Henry H. Green, L. W. Badger, F. P. 
Badger, Jacob Banta, James Davis, John C. Fish (lawyer; practiced two 
years in New York and Pennsylvania, and retiring, settled in Corbetts- 
ville in 1857), Brewster Johnson, John O. Porter (settled in Corbetts- 
ville in 1860, and now an active business man of Binghamton), John 
Bayless (a former resident of the town and now of Binghamton), Elbert 
A. Beman (who began his business career here and then moved to 
Binghamton), James Woodside, John Woodside, Charles E. Fuller 
(former assemblyman, supervisor and for many years an influential man 
in Conklin history), Julius S. Corbett (who recently died in Bingham- 
ton), William Ruger, Julius E. Rogers, Neil Finch may also be men- 
tioned among the factors in Conklin history in later years. 

Through some now unknown cause settlement in this town pro- 
gressed very slowly during the first quarter of the present century. 
This was not because the lands were less desirable than in other locali- 
ties, for such was not the case. Settler Hull Stratton was offered land 
where is now the city of Binghamton at the same price per acre he paid 
for land in this town, but he preferred the heavily timbered tracts up 
the river to the scrub oak plains which then marked the city site. The 
theory has been advanced that the Lydig tract and the Floyd patent 
had no local agent for several years, and indeed it is well known that 
the Bingham lands had no agent until 1800, when Joshua Whitney was 
appointed. By that time, however, forty or fifty squatter families were 
scattered over the tract, and some of them were on the territory of this 
town. Nearly all of these Mr. Bingham "quieted in their possession," 
and they afterward became thrifty farmers. 

As evidences of the slow growth of the town during the period of 
early history, the statement may be made that in 1825 the entire 
region, including the part afterwards set off to form Kirkwood, con- 
tained only 635 inhabitants. However, let us have recourse to the cen- 
sus reports and note the changes in population since the town was 
created. 



THE TOWN OF CONKLIN. 



799 



Population.-\%To, 635; 1830, 908; 1835, 1,142; 1840 1471- 1845 

1,869; 1850, 2,232; 1855, 2,539; 1860, 1,146 (Kirkwood was setoff in 

1859); 1865, 1,282; 1870, 1,440; 1875, 1,290; 1880, 1,420- 1890 1 033- 
1892, 1,033. ' ' ' ^^' 

Organization.— 'V\,^ early records of Conklin are lost, hence much 
that IS of value and interest relating to town history cannot be given. 
The act creating the town, which was entitled "An act to divide the 
town of Chenango, in the county of Broome," provided that the first 
town meeting should be held at the house of Benjamin Relyea on 
the first Tuesday in March, 1825. This, according to local tradition, 
was done and a full board of officers were chosen, but the loss of 
records precludes the possibility of a reproduction of the names of 
officials in this chapter. 

On November 23, 1859, the board of supervisors created the town of 
Kirkwood from Conklin. This proceeding was ratified at the next ses- 
sion of the legislature, at which time also it was directed that the fol- 
lowing town meeting in Conklin be held at the hotel kept by Wheelock 
Corby, and that John Darling, William Whitney and Nathaniel J. Finch 
preside at the election. The first justices of the peace appointed under 
the constitution of 1827 were John Bayless, William A. Conklin and 
Edmund Laurence. 

The supervisors of Conklin previous to 1849 are unknown, owing to 
the absence of records; but from county records the following succes- 
sion from that year is secured. 

Supervisors. — John Bound, 1849; Joseph Conklin, 1850-51; Alanson 
Wildey, 1852; David M. Langdon, 1853; Joseph Conklin, 1854; Henry 
H. Green, 1855; Theron Stoutenburg, 1856; T. Thompson, 1857-58; 
Theron Stoutenburg, 1859; Benj. W. Lawrence, 1860; Aaron Van 
Wormer, 1861; Nathaniel J. Finch, 1862-63; Elias Wilber, 1864; Benj. 
W. Lawrence, 1865-6; Julius S. Corbett, 1867-9; Benj. W. Lawrence, 
1870; Henry N. Watson, 1871; Benj. W. Lawrence, 1872; Aaron Van 
Wormer, 1873; Julius S. Corbett, 1874; Benj. W. Lawrence, 1875; 
Julius S. Corbett, 1876; Charles E. Fuller, 1877-78; Julius S Corbett, 
1879; Aaron Van Wormer, 1880-82; Benj. W. Lawrence, 1883; Aaron 
Van Wormer, 1884; William Ruger, 1885; John O. Porler, 1886; Ben- 
jamin W. Lawrence, 1887; Charles E. Fuller, 1888-92; Tie vote, 1893; 
Charles E. Fuller, 1894-95; Neil Finch, 1896-99. 

The town officers in 1899 are Neil Finch, supervisor; James L. En- 
glebert, town clerk; Wilber A. Vosberg, collector; Atwood P. Vining, 



800 THE TOWN OF CONKLIN. 

highway commissioner; Edwin Mosher and Wilber A. Vosberg, over- 
seers of the poor; Jesse L. Rogers, Chas. Spafford, E. L. Campbell, 
assessors; Mortimer Lawrence, G. A. Hicks, Frank Brooks, T. J. Finch, 
justices of the peace; Hiram C. Wilber and Thomas J. Finch, justices 
elect. 

As has been stated, the town was organized in 1825, when its terri- 
tory was extensive and sparsely settled. The next ten years witnessed 
much development and a substantial increase in population. In 1835 
the town contained 6,089 acres of improved and 24,338 acres of unim- 
proved land. In 1838 the assessed valuation of real estate was $111,- 
944, and of personal property, $1,006. In 1899 the assessed valuation 
of real property was $668,500, and of personal property $20,175. The 
number of qualified electors then living in the town was 231, and 
117 men were enrolled as militiamen. 

In 1835 Conklin was both a lumbering and farming town, the former 
pursuit perhaps being the more important, there being 13 saw mills in 
operation, while within the territory was only one grist mill. The 
other industries comprised a trip hammer and forge and two tan- 
neries. The saw mills now have almost wholly disappeared, and 
lumber is made only for domestic use. The available hardwood tim- 
ber is used chiefly in the manufacture of acetate of lime. The tanneries, 
owing to lack of hemlock bark and the centralization of tanning inter- 
ests, are no longer operated. Another manufacture of the period men- 
tioned was that of domestic cloths, which is now unknown in the town. 
In 1835 there was made in families in the town 1,225 yards of fulled 
cloth, 1,391 yards of flannel, and 2,104 yards of cotton and linen cloths. 

The latest important industrial pursuit established for the benefit of 
the farmers of the town, and also of the entire region, is the Bing- 
hamton Beet sugar refining company, the seat of operations of which 
is in the western part of the town, and for which the people are 
chiefly indebted to Julius E. Rogers, an extensive farmer of Conklin 
and a resident of Binghamton. 

In closing this branch of our chapter let us take a brief retrospective 
glance and learn who were the important factors in Conklin history in 
1865, as their names were noted by an old resident, viz. : Rev. A. P. 
Worden, farmer and minister; Dr. G. S. Redfield, physician and sur- 
geon; TurnbuU & Co., props, pyroligneous acid works; S. E. Weed & 
Co., lumbermen; J. C. Fish, farmer and lawyer; A. Chalker, farmer and 
stock dealer; J. Banta, farmer and assessor; W. T. Hanagan, farmer 



THE TOWN OF CONKLIN. 



-01 



and lumber dealer; J. Mead, farmer and justice; J. Watrous, farmer; 
H. Dillon, farmer; W. Lewis, blacksmith; H. Wilbur, blacksmith; M.' 
Wesley, farmer; J. Tarbox, farmer; L. S. Lenhenham, steam tannery; 
W. G. Holmes, farmer and lumberman; S. Snedeker, carpenter; S. c' 
Clement, farmer; N. Rowley, farmer; E. D. Tripp, resident; T. Roe, 
grist mill; Z. Knapp, farmer; W. Whitney, farmer and lumber dealer'; 
G. Lowe, farmer and assessor; R. Van Patten, farmer and lumber 
dealer; G. P. Waterman, farmer; J. D. Newton, carpenter; M. R. 
Lathrop, farmer and justice; C. S. Niver, farmer and stock dealer; T. 
Thompson, farmer and lumberman; J. Ryan, farmer and stock dealer; 
Elias Wilbur, farmer, lumberman and stock dealer; A. Parsons, farmer 
and stock dealer; B. H. Bone, farmer; J. Bag-ley, farmer; J. Becker, 
farmer; E. Lewis, farmer; G. H. Miller, millwright; H. Coons, farmer; 
I. Lawrence, farmer; J. Fuller, farmer and mechanic; D. W. Corby, 
farmer. 

Schools. — Owing to the fact that prior to 1825 this town was a part of 
Chenango, and the further fact that in 1859 the greater part of Conklin 
was set off to form Kirkwood, little that is of interest can be learned 
regarding the common schools of the town. In 1838, before Kirkwood 
was set off, the territory comprised 10 districts, and the number of 
children of school age in the town was 303. The town then received 
$115.58 of the state school funds. In 1858 there were 17 districts in the 
town, and 1,032 children were attending the schools. 

According to the present disposition of school interests in Conklin, 
the territory comprises 8 districts, and the school census shows 211 
children of school age. In 1899 the town received $905.97 of public 
school moneys, and raised by local tax the sum of $1,632.09. During 
the year there was paid teachers the sum of $1,920. 

VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. 

Conklin never has been noted for the number or business importance 
of its trading centers, and it is a somewhat unfortunate fact that neither 
of them can now boast the trade enjoyed twenty- five and more years 
ago. 

Corbettsville is a small, pleasant village in the northeast part of the 
town, on the line of the D., L. & W. railroad. It became a trading 
centre about 1840, when the firm of B. & J. Smith opened the first store 
here. They were followed by Page & Conklin, and the latter in turn 
by Sewell & Ira Corbett. Ira Corbett built a new store in 1845. Later 

51 



802 THE TOWN OF CONKLIN. 

merchants have been F. Burt, John O. Porter, Frank W. Spaulding and 
J. C. Fish, the latter now being in trade here. The village was made a 
post-office soon after 1840, Sewell Corbett being the first postmaster. 
Ira Corbett then succeeded and held the office almost twenty years. 
Next came Daniel J. Murphy and John O. Porter. 

The Corbetts were lumbermen and merchants as well as farmers, 
from the time Cooper Corbett came here. He built the first mill, and 
his son Ira the second. The old steam mill on Little Snake creek was 
built in 1865. Ira Corbett built and started a planing mill in 1880. It 
was afterward owned by Mr. Fisher, but is now in the hands of M. J. 
Corbett. Sewell Corbett built a foundry in 1845. Later owners were 
Julius S. Corbett and Jeremiah Bull, the latter converting the building 
into a tannery. It afterward passed into the hands of George Belmy 
and thence to John O. Porter, under whom the business was discon- 
tinued. 

Among the other early and more recent factors in the history of the 
village may be recalled the names of Amos Brant and James McCan- 
non, blacksmiths; Ebenezer Carter, cabinet maker, about 1835; Cooper 
and Sewell Corbett, owners of a carding mill from 1820 to 1840; Cor- 
nelius Winans, the village shoemaker from 1820 to 1878; Cooper Cor- 
bett, jr., landlord, and Mr. Knapp, Daniel and John Murphy, Henry 
Sherman and H. H. Dunmore, later proprietors. 

Milburn^ better known perhaps as Conklin Station, on the line of the 
D., L. & W. railroad, is the largest business and residence center in the 
town. The first store here was started about 1840 by John Bayless, and 
soon afterward the postoffice at Conklin Centre was removed here. 
Henry Green, Eldridge Watson and B. J. Bayless were among the other 
early factors in the history of the village. The chief industry of the 
place for many years was the pyroligneous acid works, started by 
Turnbull & Co. in 1844, and thereafter continued under various pro- 
prietorships for many years. Mr. Turnbull, founder of the works, was 
lost at sea, and Abram S. Saxton afterward succeeded to the manage- 
ment. The plant was sold to Holmes, Edwards & Co. in 1878, which 
firm resolved into a stock company. The works were closed several 
years ago. 

Frank Bostwick opened a store here in 1876. Among the later mer- 
chants may be mentioned B. J. Bayless & Co., who were succeeded by 
E. P. Edmister & Son and Neil Finch in the order noted. The present 
merchants of Milburn are Neil Finch and E. C. Tomkins, general stores ; 
L. M. Parsons, groceries. 



THE TOWN OF CONKLIN. 



803 



In the village is a Presbyterian church and the school house of dis- 
trict No. 2. 

Conklin Forks is a settlement in the southwest part of the town, 
where now is a store, a blacksmith shop and a church, but in the local- 
ity where previous to about thirty-five years ago was little else than 
woods and lumbering. Benjamin and Reuben Horton began lumber- 
ing here in 1832, and afterward were followed by other operators, 
among whom were John Main, Zachariah Cotton, Thomas Chapel, Perry 
Tyler and Atwood Vining. Among the earliest settlers in this part of 
the town were the Coon families, among whom Jesse A. and Jesse J. 
Coon appear to have been the most prominent. The first store at the 
Forks was opened in 1873 by Fred Van Patten, whose father was an 
early resident of the vicinity and an old lumberman, as were nearly all 
the old settlers. Sylvester Finch, who afterward removed to Kirkwood, 
kept a store on his farm, half a mile from the Forks, as early as 1858 
or '9. Finch also was the first postmaster at the settlement, and was 
succeeded by Milton Pearson and Samuel Clement, as mentioned. Mr. 
Clement is the present merchant at the Forks settlement. 

The acid factory which Finch & Rose built here in 1879 was discon- 
tinued several years ago. The M. E. society here was formed about 
1870. 

Conklin Centre is a hamlet on the Susquehanna, between Milburn and 
Binghamton, in the locality where Edmund Lawrence settled in 1813, 
and where some of his descendants ever since have lived. Another 
early settler in the vicinity was Isaac Bishop, who came in 1814, while 
the Bagley, Levee, Finch, Van Wormer and Lowe families came here 
between 1830 and 1840. As an industrial center this hamlet has little 
prominence in the town. The business interests comprise a creamery 
and one small store, the latter kept by Benj. F. Lay ton. 



804 THE TOWN OF KIRKWOOD. 



CHAPTER XL. 
THE TOWN OF KIRKWOOD. 

On November 23, 1859, the board of supervisors passed a resolution 
by which all that part of the town of Conklin which lay north and east 
of the Susquehanna river was erected into a new town, and was called 
Kirkwood in allusion to the surname of one of the engineers or contract- 
ors who during the days of the construction of the N. Y. & E. railroad 
had in some manner gained the respect of the inhabitants of the new 
jurisdiction. Thus it happened that the old town of Conklin, in the 
affairs of which Judge John Conklin was such a prominent figure, and 
in whose honor the town was named, was limited to territory south and 
west of the river, while Judge Conklin himself during his lifetime in 
this county dwelt on the Kirkwood side. 

The legislature in 1860 ratified the action of the supervisors and in 
accordance with the act passed in relation thereto the town was fully 
organized and began to make civil history. Within its boundaries are 
18,789 acres of land. The boundaries of the town have not been ma- 
terially changed by the creation of other towns, but in extending the 
city eastward Kirkwood has lost some very desirable portions of its 
territory. Originally, the State Hospital (formerly the N. Y. S. Ineb- 
riate asylum) property was chiefly within the limits of the town, but 
now the buildings are within the city boundaries, while the vast state 
farm, several hundred acres in extent, lies largely in Kirkwood. This 
farm comprises several farm tracts which formerly were owned or oc- 
cupied by Kirkwood residents, and all of the lands were taxable in the 
town. Now, being state lands, these farms are exempt from taxa- 
tion, hence practically are of no value whatever to the town at 
large. 

Kirkwood comprises portions of several extensive tracts of patented 
lands, each of which tracts also includes parts of one or more other towns. 
They are the Clinton & Melcher tract. Watts' patent, the Bingham 
patent, the J. Lawrence tracts, N. Floyd's tracts, the Randolph town- 
ship, the Thomas patent, and small portions of one or two other tracts. 



THE TOWxN OF KIRKWOOD. 805 

In the early history of the region the more extensive of these land 
tracts had an agent whose duty was to sell the lots and promote settle- 
ment to the best advantage to the owners. The most important of these 
tracts, in Kirkwood, were Clinton & Melcher's, Bingham's and Thomas' 
patents, while the others were outlying and remote from the desirable 
lands bordering on the Susquehanna. Thomas' patent included much 
of the southern portion of this town and Conklin, and extended south 
into Pennsylvania; and is said to have been granted previous to the 
revolution. Its area was more than 8,000 acres of land. 

The pioneer of Kirkwood is said to have been Gerrit (or Garret) 
Snedeker, who came from Tom's River, N. J., previous to 1790, and 
settled on the east bank of the river about one mile above the present 
village of Kirkwood. The sons of the pioneer were Isaac, David and 
James Snedeker, all of whom were prominent persons in early history, 
and from whom have descended nearly all the men now bearing the 
surname in the county. One of Gerrit Snedeker's daughters (Catherine) 
married David Bound, whose name was alsoprominent in early Conklin 
history. Another daughter (Elizabeth) married Andrew Johnson, and 
a third daughter (Abigail) married David Bayless, from whom also 
has sprung a thrifty and highly respectable line of descendants. 

Jonathan Fitch came from the Wyoming valley in 1789, and was set- 
tled at the mouth of Fitch's creek (which was named for him) about as 
early as the generally accredited pioneer himself. Judge Fitch repre- 
sented Tioga county in the first legislative session in 1792. In 1790 he 
built a grist mill at the mouth of the creek, and for a long time he 
ground the grist of all the settlers for miles around. Local tradition 
does not give extended information concerning the family or subse- 
quent life of Judge Fitch in the town, and as the surname now is in- 
frequently known here it is assumed that his stay was not long. 

John Peter Wentz, of whom much is written in the city history, and 
who was the progmitor of a large and respectable line of descendants 
in the county, settled on the site of Kirkwood village in 1793, and thence 
removed to the site of the afterward known Park farm in 1806. 
Pioneer Wentz died in Binghamton in 1833. His children were Eliza- 
beth, John, William, Justus, Peter, Catharine, Jacob, George L., Sally, 
Julia and George H. Wentz, each of whom, especially the sons, was 
closely identified with county history in later yeers. John E. Wentz, 
city assessor, is the grandson of John Peter Wentz, and the late Will- 
iam Wentz, of Binghamton, whose name as a land surveyor was known 



806 THE TOWN OF KIRKWOOD. 

in every town and hamlet in this county, was the son of the pioneer. 
The story oE " Uncle Billy's " life is told at length in the city history, 
but he was such an important factor in early Kirkwood history that 
some brief mention of his career seems necessary at this place. 

In 1814 Mr. Wentz opened a store on the Park farm in this town and 
soon controlled quite a business among the settlers. His stock was ob- 
tained chiefly from Judge McKinney and Daniel Le Roy, who were ex- 
tensive tradesmen at Chenango Point, but as he had little cash and no 
means to tide over a period of adversity, he was forced into bankruptcy 
and sacrificed his entire real and personal property to satisfy the de- 
mands of his creditors. In 1818 he again turned to school teaching, an 
old vocation with him, but in 1823 he took up land surveying. From 
that time until his death (a few years ago) " Uncle Billy" was a familiar 
figure in Broome county history, and hardly a single "surveyor's stake" 
in the entire region was unknown to him. He assisted in the prelim- 
inary surveys on the route of the Erie railroad, and at one time was the 
company's engineer between Deposit and Bingham ton. In 1863 he 
located about thirty miles of the A, & S. railroad. Mr. Wentz lived 
many years in Binghamton. 

George Lane Wentz, son of John Peter, taught school in Windsor, and 
afterward in this town, in a little log school house that stood on Garret 
Snedeker's land. Later on in life he entered the Methodist ministry 
and eventually became the head of the " Methodist Book Concern." 

Among the other and more prominent early settlers in this town 
there may be recalled and briefly mentioned the names of Daniel Chap- 
man, who was a farmer and carpenter, and generally useful man among 
the settlers, and whose place of abode was about a mile north of the 
state line; Asa Rood, who in 1796 settled on the site of Kirkwood sta- 
tion, with a large family of children (the family came from New Jer- 
sey. The children were Aaron, Sylvia, Ira, Amos, Penina and Asa, 
jr.); Asa Squires, who in 1708 settled on the river, almost seven miles 
above Chenango Point, and among whose sons were Asa, jr., noted 
for his great physical strength, Zaccheus, Bird and Stephen Squires 
(Asa Squires' wife was a doctress, and her services were in frequent 
demand in the town); John Bell, who came about 1790; Silas Bowker, 
another early settler near Kirkwood Station, but who afterward moved 
west; Joel Lamoreaux, who located on the afterward known Edward Y. 
Park farm about 1798, and who later on settled in Windsor; David 
Compton, who settled on the river, four miles from Chenango Point, in 



THE TOWN OF KIRKWOOD. 80t 

1798, and who was an early tavern keeper and a "second captain " of 
the militia company (Joseph Compton, brother of David, settled on the 
south side of the river); Noel Carr, who settled south of the river in 
1794, and died in 1797, his being the first death in the town; Abraham 
Miller, who came here in 1798; Chester Wells, who came from Nor- 
wich, Conn., in 1812, when he was only eighteen years old, and who 
was a bridge builder and saw miller for one Burr; he also taught 
school. Eventually he settled in Binghamton, where he died in 1828. 
Chester Wells had five children, one of whom is Col. John Stuart Wells 
of Binghamton; Ebenezer Park, who cleared and located on the after- 
ward known Bartlett farm, about a mile above the "asylum " building 
(Mr. Park's daughter married Jonathan Miller, father of the late Ross 
Miller, who once was a prominent character in Binghamton history). 

The Bartlett farm just mentioned was purchased by Joseph Bartlett 
while he and his brother Robert were carrying on a gun factory on 
Washington street in Binghamton. Capt. Isaac Bartlett, the pioneer 
of the family in this locality, came from Ovvego to Binghamton about 
1829, living for a time in the latter place, and then coming to his son's 
farm in this town. After the gun factory had ceased business in the 
early fifties, Joseph Bartlett came with his family to the farm. He had 
one daughter and eleven sons, several of the latter attaining positions 
of prominence in public life. Joseph Bartlett himself was once sheriff 
of the county and he also held an official position in the management of 
the Chenango canal. Further detail in this place is not necessary, 
as the Bartlett family history is fully written in the city chapters. 

In the vicinity of the Bartlett farm was the once famous Greenhorn 
tavern, a most noted hostelry in its time, but why named 
" Greenhorn " tavern never has been made perfectly clear, as no green- 
horn was ever connected with its management. The principal highway 
along the river between Binghamton and Great Bend was in itself a re- 
markable thoroughfare and public houses were hardly more than three 
miles apart, and it was not possible that the stage passenger or foot 
traveler could complain of lack of accommodation or refreshment. 
Now, all these houses are gone and the road traveler must journey from 
the city to Kirkwood village, passing the sites of the " Brandy wine " 
hotel and the " Greenhorn " tavern, before reaching a public house. 

William Jones settled about two miles below Kirkwood village in 
1802. His surname is still represented in the county through the de- 
scendants of his children— Barney, John, Samuel, Edward, George, 



808 THE TOWN OF KIRKWOOD. 

Elias, Mary and Lydia Jones. Thomas Carroll and Benajah Standley 
came about 1805 and located in the northeast part of the town. Stand- 
ley Hollow, more frequently known as " Stanley " Hollow, was named 
for Benajah Standley. Another early family in this part of the town 
was that of William Ray, a colored man, and the pioneer of his race in 
Kirkwood. Aaron Ray, son of William, is remembered as an indus- 
trious, thrifty farmer. His descendants are still in the county. 

Isaac Curran was an early settler in the town, but the year of his 
coming is not known. In his family were five children, one of whom 
is Benajah S. Curran, of the Binghamton bar. Henry Bayless, another 
early resident on the Kirkwood side of the river, was the son of Samuel 
Bayless who first settled on the Conklin side. Samuel had two sons, 
General John and Henry Bayless, the former of whom lived chiefly in 
Conklin, while the latter, when he branched out for himself, came over 
into what now is Kirkwood. Abraham Berkalew is recalled as one of 
the early settlers in Kirkwood, and also as one of its most successful 
men. He is said to have come here in 1806, and settled near Kirkwood 
village long before that hamlet was thought of. Mr. Berkalew was a 
large farmer, and by industry (which quality has been an inherent trait 
among his descendants) he acquired a competency. Abraham Berka- 
lew's sons were John, James O. and Peter, and his daughters were 
Nancy, Hannah, Peggy, Jane, Abigail and Anna Berkalew. The sur- 
name still is known in the town, and also in Binghamton, but has not 
many representatives. 

John Conklin, an old revolutionary patriot, and a former resident of 
Sullivan county, came into the Susquehanna valley and settled in what 
is now Kirkwood, in 1810. He was not a pioneer in the town, but he 
soon took a prominent place among the settlers and became their fore- 
most man and leader. He was frequently chosen to positions of trust, 
and in 1823, under the new state constitution, he was one of the first 
appointed justices of the peace in the town of Conklin. In truth the 
town itself was named for him, he then occupying the position of leader 
among its inhabitants. Joseph Conklin, son of John, was for many 
years a conspicuous figure in local history, and, like his father, was one 
of Conklin's (afterward Kirkwood) best citizens. He had nine children, 
six of whom grew to maturity, and four of whom are now living. The 
eldest surviving child is Thomas Conklin, born in Kirkwood (or what is 
now that town) in 1829, and has been a lifelong resident of the locality. 
Frank J. Conklin, inspector of customs, port of New York; Henry T. 



THE TOWN OF KIRKWOOI). 800 

Conklin and Emma E. Conklin-Cline, are children of Thomas Conklin. 
of Riverside. 

Among the other early residents in the town there may be menti(jned 
the names of Barney and Philip Alden, Elias Conklin, John E. Reed, 
Horace Dwight, Richard W. Jones, Richard, James and Adam Hays, 
Edward Y. Park (an influential man in county history, and member of 
assembly in 18G0), Gambia Rider (who settled near the Windsor line in 
1841 ; father of Charles A. Rider, merchant at West Windsor, and also 
of county treasurer John A. Rider, of Binghamton), David Langdon, 
Silas P. Chase, Jacob Brownell, Franklin Stow, Joseph Guernsey, Henry 
Smith, Marcus Doolittle, Daniel Evans (the old county clerk in 1823-6, 
and also one of the founders of the Broome County bank), and others 
whose names are perhaps equally worthy of mention, but have become 
lost with the lapse of years. 

However, before departing from this branch of our subject, it is 
proper that there be made at least a passing mention of the names of 
some of the men of Kirkwood who have been (and many still are) fac- 
tors in the later history of the town. In this connection mention may 
be made of Alanson Wildey, Henry A. Squires, David S. Newbury, Ed- 
ward L. Jones, Abram R. Park, William Murphy, Simon K. Wilsey, 
Nathan W. Brown, Joel Brown, George P. Ayers, George Saunders, 
Samuel Southee, Emory Pettit, Matthew Hays, Patrick O'Loughlin, 
Terry Springer, Norman Sherwood, Marshall Squires, J. D. Patch, 
George W. Berkalew, Nicholas Emmons, Lewis Jones, Edward Benn, 
James Adams, Henry P. Alden, Daniel C. Andrews, George P. Ayers, 
E. H. Booth, Dr. Wm. S. Beebe, C. P. Brink, B. J. Bayless, Isaac Bird, 
Thomas Conklin, E. W. Evans, Frank P. Hays, Myron Langdon, Frank 
Langdon, Leonard Gage, William R. Murphy, William A. McPherson, 
Dr. George E. Pierson, Robert R. Ritter, Reuben Stevens, Francis 
Robbins, Hiram Smith, Luke Smith, Franklin Stow, Eli W. Watrous, 
John H. Watrous, Alvah Wood, George Graver, Enoch Brown, Isaac 
Bound, William Park, Benj. Duell, Park Chamberlain, George Ger- 
mond, James Amory, Ira Shear and others, all of whom in some man- 
ner have contributed to the welfare and prosperity of the town. 

Organization.— In 1859, when Kirkwood was set ofif from Conklm, a 
majority of the population of the mother town was located within the 
territory of the new jurisdiction. The subject of building bridges to 
connect the divided portions of the old town was one which frequently 
created embarrassing situations, as the river at the most advantageous 



810 THE TOWN OF KIRKWOOD. 

points for such structures happened to be of unusual width, with low 
banks, hence the work of construction would be attended with consid- 
erable expense to the taxpayers. Again, the territory of Conklin was 
large, and the convenience of the people demanded a division of the 
mother town; hence the action of the board of supervisors in the fall of 
1859 and the enabling act of the legislature in 1860. 

The first town meeting in Kirkwood was held at the house of George 
Jones, February 1-i, 1860, at which time these officers were elected: 

Supervisor, Joseph Bartlett; town clerk, Daniel Casper; justices of 
the peace, Isaac Bound, William Park, Benj. Duel; assessors, Sylvester 
Barnes, Ira Shear, Rufus Whitney; comr's of highways, Barney W. 
Sherwood, David M. Langdon; overseers of the poor. Park Chamber- 
lain, Wm. H. Middaugh; collector, George Craver; constables, Enoch 
Brown, Henry Van Buren, George Craver, Robert Bartlett, Wm. W. 
Jones; sealer, Baltis Swartz. 

The succession of supervisors is as follows: 

Joseph Bartlett, 1861-62 ;AlansonWildey, 1863-66; Henry A. Squires, 
1867; Silas P. Chase, 1868-69; Henry P. Alden, 1870; David S. New- 
burg, 1871-72; Edmund W. Barlow, 1873-75; Thomas Conklin, 1876- 
77; Silas P. Chase, 1878; Abram R. Park, 1879; J.H. Sweet, 1880; Will- 
iam Murphy, 1881-83; Silas P. Chase, 1884-85; Abram R. Park, 1886; 
James M. Price, 1887; John Golan, 1888; A. T. De Witt, 1889; John H. 
Watrous, 1890-91; Frank Langdon, 1892-95; Samuel Bayless, 1896-97; 
Jerome Randall, 1898; Frank Langdon, 1899. 

The town officers in 1899 are Frank Langdon, supervisor; Adolphus 
G. Brink, town clerk; John Golan, James M. Price, Henry A. Trues- 
dall, Orrin B. Stone, justices of the peace; Emory Hall, collector; Solon 
Finn, John Smith, Samuel Bayless, assessors; Edwin Smith, highway 
commissioner; George W. Bound, John Y. Darling, overseers of the 
poor. 

Population.— 1%Q0, 1,389; 1865, 1,440; 1870, 1,402; 1875, 1,377; 1880, 
1,344; 1890, 1,119; 1892, 1,134. 

Schools. — The common school system of this town was originated 
when the territory formed a part of the original town of Chenango; was 
continued as a part of Conklin, hence when Kirkwood was organized in 
1860, the authorities in charge had little to do other than to renumber 
and arrange the existing districts to suit the convenience of the in- 
habitants. 

As now disposed the town comprises eleven districts. In 1899 there 



THE TOWN OF KIRKWOOD. gjl 

was received from the state public school moneys the sum of $1 203 G2 
and $1,702.68 were raised by town tax. During the year teachers' 
wages were paid amounting to $2,544.80. School census 245. 

VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. 

The town of Kirkwood has two trading centers and five established 
post-offices within its borders; but neither of these hamlets has ever 
acquired more than one or two places of business nor more than 
about 100 inhabitants. 

Kirkwood village is the largest and most important of the village 
hamlets of the town, and is pleasantly situated on the Susquehanna 
river, and also on the line of the Erie railroad, to which the village m 
fact owes its existence. The early settlers on and in the vicinity of the 
village tract have been mentioned in preceding pages. About 1846 
Marshall Squires became owner of much of the village tract, and soon 
afterward opened a store during the progress of the work on the rail- 
road. In 1851 the land was laid out in village lots, and the erection of 
Nicholas Emmons' large dwelling, and John Weeks' tavern gave the 
place the first appearange of a village. 

Among the subsequent factors in village history were J. D. Patch 
who took the store in 1857, and his son, J. B. Patch, who succeeded his 
father in 1868; Lewis Jones, who opened a store here in 18G8, and who 
was followed by his son E. L. Jones and the latter in turn by his son 
C. D. Jones, the present Kirkwood merchant. Nicholas Emmons also 
was a former merchant here. The hotel was built by Robert Hays, and 
was first kept by John Weeks, followed by Lewis Jones, Mr. Turner, 
John Church, Baltis Swartz and others. The present village landlord 
is C. P. Miller, who keeps an excellent country house, and one much 
patronized by bicyclists and pleasure carriage travelers. Job Bound 
was the first blacksmith. William Davidson (afterward of Binghamton) 
and William Lewis were followers of Bound. 

Marshall Squires was the first village postmaster, and was followed 
by John T. Doubleday, Peter T. Emmons, John Emmons, Nicholas 
Emmons and others of more recent date. The old physicians who 
practiced here were Dr. P. M. Way, Dr. Chase, Dr. Wm. S. Beebee, 
Dr. Lansing Griffin, Dr. Geo. E. Pierson. 

The present business interests of Kirkwood comprise the well stocked 
stores of C. D. Jones and William Roberts, the grist and feed mill of 
Ezra Griffith, and the hotel kept by C. P. Miller. The pubHc institu- 



812 THE TOWN OF KIRKWOOD. 

tions comprise the Methodist and Christian churches, and the school 
house of district No. 2. 

Riverside is a pleasant little hamlet in the southern extremity of the 
town, in the fertile valley of the river near the Pennsylvania state line. 
From a business standpoint the hamlet is of little importance, but far 
back of the hamlet existence there dwelt in this locality some of the 
most substantial early families of the town, among whom may be men- 
tioned the names of Brown, Ritter, Conklin and McPherson, all of 
whom are referred to in earlier paragraphs. A post-office was estab- 
lished here about or soon after 1870, but a store has been kept in the 
locality many years. Thomas Conklin is said to have been the first 
merchant. The prc;sent storekeeper is Julius Brown. 

A Methodist society was organized here many years ago. 

Kirkwood Centre is the name of a post-office station about half way 
between Kirkwood village and Binghamton. The office was established 
in 18G1, with Eli W. Watrous, postmaster. 

Langdon is a post station on the Erie railroad a short distance below 
Kirkwood, and was named after David M. Langdon (for whom Lang- 
don's Corners was named). The office was established about 1877. The 
chief business here is the Langdon creamery, owned by New York city 
capital and managed by Frank Langdon. 

In this locality is a Christian church, having 35 or 40 members. 

Brookvale is the post-office name for the old settled locality in the 
northeast part of the town that originally was known as Stanley Hol- 
low. Here is found a blacksmith shop and a Universalist meeting 
house. 



THE TOWN OF DICKINSON. gi^ 



CHAPTER XLI. 
THE TOWN OF DICKINSON. 

The extension of the city limits in 1890 entirely separated the north- 
ern and southern parts of the town of Binghamton, hence necessitated 
the creation of a new town in the county. The measure, however, was 
the occasion of considerable discussion in the board of supervisors,' sev- 
eral of the city members opposing it with the argument that the county 
already had too great a representation in the county legislative body, 
while the city itself had not the proportion of members to which it was 
entitled under its population. This unquestionably was and still is true, 
yet the creation of Dickinson was a necessity (unless its territory was 
annexed to some adjoining town) rather than scheme on the part of the 
country members of the board to increase their numerical strength. 

The act, or ordinance of the board, by which the town was created, 
was passed December 12, 1890, and was reported to and confirmed at 
the next session of the state legislature. The town was named Dickin- 
son in allusion to its principal village, Port Dickinson, and also in mem- 
ory of that distinguished citizen of Binghamton — Daniel Stevens Dick- 
inson — who honored the city and county with his long and eminent 
public service. 

" All that part of the town of Binghamton lying north of the city of 
Binghamton," according to the wording of the act, constituted the new 
jurisdiction. The early history of the region is written in the history 
of Chenango, and- in a measure is further written in the chapter relating 
to the town of Binghamton . When the latter town was organized, both 
pioneership and early settlement had ceased, and in many cases the sec- 
ond and third generations of descendants were cultivating its lands and 
enjoying the fruits of the labor of their ancestors. Therefore, Dickin- 
son had no pioneer history, but when the town was created many old 
familiar surnames were found among its inhabitants; such names as 
Bevier, Dickson, Carman, Van Name, Brown, Stow, Lamb and others, 
on the east side of the Chenango. On the west side were such names 
as Gale, Conklin, Randall, Livermore, Gamble, Bailey, Cutler, Clonney, 



814 THE TOWN OF DICKINSON. 

Seward and others living along the river road, v^^hile back in the interior 
regions were the Fairchilds, Bedells, Whitfords, Bishops, Tiers, Smiths, 
Wheelers, Beachs, Davis and others, now forgotten. Nearly all of the 
representati .ffS of these names were of the second generation of occu- 
pants, the pioneers in many cases being dead or removed to other 
localities. 

Organization. — In accordance with the provisions of the supervisors' 
act, the first town meeting was held at the hotel of Osborne & Winn, in 
Port Dickinson, February 10, 1891, at which time officers were elected 
as follows: 

Supervisor, James M. Holt, jr. ; town clerk, Edward H. Smith; col- 
lector, Elbert Bailey; justices of the peace, Philip Champlin, Wm. 
H. Gale, John T. Rozelle; assessors, Charles Brownson, Wakeley Jones; 
highway com'r. Perry W. Cutler; overseer of the poor, Charles Warner ; 
com'rs of excise, Edgar Dickinson, S. Melvin Baird, Erastus W. Smith. 

The succession of supervisors is as follows: 

James M. Holt, 1891; Frank W. Jewell, 1892-93; John W. Cutler, 
1894-95; Myron L. Jones, 1896-98; James H. Holt, 1899. 

The town officers in 1899 are James M. Holt, supervisor; F. A. Wil- 
cox, town clerk; D. M. Merrill, collector; Philip Champlin, John W. 
Cutler, B. F. Bradley, I. H. Egbert, justices of the peace; Charles 
Lewis, Job Keeler, Edgar Dickinson, assessors; George W. Bennett, 
highway com'r; Fred. Alderman, Virgil Jarvis, overseers of the poor. 

As constituted in 1891, and now existing, Dickinson is a well ordered 
town of 525 inhabitants, and contains 4,006 acres of land; and although 
the youngest and smallest town in Broome county, it by no means is an 
inferior jurisdiction, as it contains some of the most fertile agricultural 
lands in the Chenango valley. Indeed, it is the only town in the county 
whose territory extends on both sides of the Chenango river. It has 
neither mills nor factories of consequence, and its people are devoted 
exclusively to the peaceful arts of agriculture and kindred pursuits. 

The town is divided into five school districts, each of which is pro- 
vided with a good school house. In 1899 there was apportioned to 
Dickinson $639.25 of the state public school funds, and during the year 
there was raised by town tax for school support the additional sum of 
$1,012.92. There was paid to teachers the sum of $1,391.46. The 
census shows 65 children of school age in the town. 

The County Farm, otherwise known as the Riverside Home for the 
indigent poor of the county who are supported at the general expense, is 



THE TOWN OF DICKINSON. 815 

located wholly within this town, and is one of the best eleemosynary 
institutions in southern New York. The farm property was purchased 
from Seth Leonard in 1831, by Stephen Weed, Vincent Whitney and 
Marcus Sage, superintendents of the poor, acting on behalf of the 
county. The buildings originally were of wood, but beginning about 
1870 the supervisors replaced the more important house structures with 
brick material. On November 1, 1899, the institution contained 129 
inmates. 

VILLAGES. 

Port Dickinson, the only established village or trading center in the 
town, is one of the oldest incorporated municipalities in the county, and 
withal, is the smallest in population. On January 22, 1876, the inhabit- 
ants of the district, by a vote of 38 to 2, decided to incorporate in 
accordance with the general act of 1870. The village contains 600 
acres of land, and extends northward from the city limits. 

The village was founded in 1837, about the time of the opening of the 
Chenango canal, and soon became an important trading center and 
shipping point on the line of that once famous waterway. Several 
stores were opened and began business and a number of important 
manufacturing enterprises were established, all of which materially 
contributed to local growth and prosperity. In 1865 the business inter- 
ests of the village included the Gary, Nash & Ogden paper mills, C. 
Bevier's broom factory, E. B. Wei ton «&Co.'s large general store, S. L. 
Guion's hotel and several other enterprises. Joseph Carman was an 
extensive farmer and also village postmaster, and Benjamin De Voe 
was collector of canal tolls. 

In later years the paper mill was continued as the leading industry, 
and in the meantime the large roller flouring mill of George Q. Moon 
& Co., the flexible shaft works of Nelson Stow and the whip factory of 
Russell & Hunt were put into operation, and then, between 1880 and 
'84 the village was at its best. In the year last mentioned the flouring 
and paper mills were destroyed by fire, soon after which the shaft works 
were removed to the city and the whip factory was discontinued, upon 
which the village relapsed into a condition of quiet. Its only existing 
industries comprise the comparatively small broom factories of Daniel 
Bevier and Myron L. Jones. The merchants are James M. Holt, jr., 
grocer; E. H. Clinton, grocer, and Fred. Greenwood, grocer and post- 
master. 



816 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

In the village is a Baptist church and a well ordered, graded district 
school. In the southwest corner of Fenton, within a short distance 
from the village, is the " Ogden " M. E. church. 

The present village officers (1899) are Napoleon Beaty, president; 
Orville R. Bacon and William N. Slattery, trustees; E. H. Smith, 
clerk, and Isaac Egbert, collector. 



CHAPTER XLII. 
ECCLESIASTICAL. 

The church history of the towns of Broome county has been written 
and rewritten, correctly at times but often inaccurately, and the results 
of all attempts in this direction have been quite unsatisfactory. In a 
measure the fault lies in the insufficiency and uncertainty of individual 
church records, which frequently are imperfectly kept or not kept at all. 
The recollections of old members are not a safe guide, yet how often is 
the historian compelled to accept their statements as reliable. In view 
of all that has been done, and the result thereof, the present reader has 
little inclination to again peruse the old-time narratives with all their 
imperfections and misstatements of facts. All church bodies regularly 
organized and capable of holding property necessarily must be incor- 
ated according to the provisions of law enacted from time to time. 
Church societies assuming or performing the functional powers of full 
ecclesiastical bodies are either informal in character or imperfectly or- 
ganized. 

The claim is not made that the appended record shows the correct 
date of society organization of each of the church bodies therein men- 
tioned; on the contrary it is a known fact that many of them were in 
existence and held services several years before a house of worship was 
secured. The formal act of incorporation was generally accomplished 
when the society sought to acquire and control real property. The 
record shows the original corporate society name, but that in some cases 
may have been changed in later years. The most valuable informa- 
tion contained in the list is in the growth and outspreading of certain 
of the denominations, particularly that of the Methodist Episcopal 



ECCLESIASTICAL. 817 

church, which shows a remarkable increase in number of societies and 
therefore in membership. The record shows the corporate name of the 
several churches of the county (exclusive of those in the city of Bing- 
hamton and also the town of Union) with date of incorporation as in 
dicated by the record of incorporated societies in the county clerk's 
office. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL. 

First society of the M. E. church in Lisle; incorporated June 18, 1828. 

M. E. church in Windsor; December 39, 1830. 

First M. E. church and society in Vestal; July 4, 1831. 

First M. E. society in Chenango; October 18, 1832. 

First M. E. society in Barker; February 10, 1835; re-incorporated 
February 14, 1842. 

First M. E. society in Conklin ; May 1, 1838. 

First M. E. church on Page Brook; February 24, 1840. 

First M. E. church and society of Triangle; January 25, 1831; re- 
incorporated April 4, 1842, and September 19, 1853. 

First M. E. church in Sanford (McClure Settlement) ; September 11, 
1873. 

First society M. E. church in Harpursville; March 12, 1844. 

The First M. E. church at Ketchum's Corners (North Fenton) ; April 
4, 1844. 

The First M. E. church and society at New Ohio; March 19, 1844. 

First M. E. church in Maine Village ; August 19, 1845; re-incorpor- 
ated April 16, 1866. 

The First M. E. church at Osborn Hollow; November 18, 1844. 

The First M. E. church on Castle Creek ; August 30, 1847. 

The Second M. E. church of Castle Creek; August 31, 1847; re incor- 
porated April 14, 1857. 

The First M. E. society of Kattellville; November 27, 1849. 

The First M. E. church and society of Choconut Creek, November 18, 
1852. 

First M. E. church in West Nanticoke ; December 12, 1857. 

The First M. E. church of Nineveh; March 21, 1853. 

North Windsor M. E. church; December 12, 1853. 

Port Crane M. E. society; March 28, 1854; re-incorporated March 
16, 1868. 

The Hawleyton M, E. society; February 22, 1854. 

52 



818 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

The First M. E. society in Lisle; March 7, 1859. 
The North Windsor M. E. church; November 21, 1859. 
Kattellville First M. E. church; June 21, 1859. 
Windsor M. E. church; June 3, 1861. 
Vestal Centre M. E. church; October 26, 1865. 
Oquag-a society of the M. E. church ; November 28, 1865. 
Glen Aubrey M. E. church; March 20, 1867. 
First M. E. church and society at Killawog; May 20, 1867. 
First M. E. church of North Maine; January 15, 1869. 
Methodist Episcopal church at Port Dickinson; June 13, 1870. 
Adams street M, E. church of Barker; January 21, 1871. 
The M. E. church on Little Snake Creek (Conklin); February 22, 
1872. 
The First M. E. church at North Sanford; February 10, 1873. 
Danville M. E. church (Sanford); February 10, 1873. 
McClure Settlement M. E. church; March 18, 1873. 
The M. E. church of Creek Settlement (Sanford); February 11, 1873. 
The M. E. church of Riverside (Kirkwood); January 6, 1880. 
First M. E. church of Vestal; January 24, 1889. 
First M, E. church of Brookvale; January 11, 1894. 
First M. E. church of Chenango Bridge, March 10, 1894. 
The Itaska M. E. church (Barker); November 24, 1897. 
The Ogden M. E. church (Fenton); September 26, 1897. 

BAPTIST. 

Fourth Baptist church in Lisle; incorporated March 14, 1829. 

Triangle Baptist church and society ; October 22, 1831. 

Baptist church at Whitney's Point; April 3, 1843. 

Baptist church and society of Barker and Chenango; January 16, 
1844. 

The First Baptist church and society of Union Village (Lisle); Feb- 
ruary 7, 1844. 

The First Baptist church of West Colesville; July 1, 1848. 

Baptist church and society of Colesville; June 20, 1849. 

The First Baptist and Congregational church of West Nanticoke; 
January 14, 1852. 

The First Baptist church and society in Maine; May 1, 1853. 

The First Baptist church of Sanford; September 27, 1856. 

The Baptist society of Yorkshire; March 4, 1857. 



ECCLESIASTICAL. 819 

The Baptist church in Vestal; December 2, 1857. 

The First Baptist church and society o' Windsor; January 8, 1859. 

The First Baptist church and society of Port Crane; June 23, 1860. 

The Baptist church of Port Dickinson; May 12, 1884. 

The Baptist church of Harpursville (reinc. ); July 9, 1891. 

The minutes of the Broome and Tioga Baptist association show the 
location and organization of churches in that jurisdiction as follows: 

Castle Creek, 1844; Conklin, 1857; Killawog, 1841; Lisle, First, 
1802; Maine, 1835; Port Crane, 1860; Port Dickinson, 1884; Vestal 
Centre, 1834; West Nanticoke, 1854; Whitney's Point, 1842. 

FREE WILL BAPTIST. 

First Free Will Baptist society in Windsor; December 23, 1840. 
South Sanford Free Will Baptist church ; October 3, 1868. 

PRESBYTERIAN. 

Binghamton Presbytery was incorporated April 25, 1876. The Pres- 
byterian Union was incorporated June 23, 1890. 

Windsor Presbyterian society; incorporated January 2, 1816, as the 
South Presbyterian society of the town of Windsor. 

First Presbyterian society in Colesville; May 16, 1823. 

First Presbyterian church in Conklin; May 28, 1836. 

First Presbyterian society on Castle Creek; September 17, 1839. 

Bainbridge and Nineveh Presbyterian society; November 10, 1841. 

Presbyterian society of the town of Windsor; June 27, 1842. 

First Presbyterian society of East Maine; June 18, 1871. 

The minutes of the General Assembly show the Presbyterian churches 
(with membership) in Broome county (except in the city and the town 
of Union) as follows: 

Nineveh, 178 members; Conklin, 150 members; Windsor, 144 mem- 
bers; Deposit, 256 members; Whitney's Point, 76 members; East 
Maine, 24 members; Gulf Summit, 34 members, 

CONGREGATIONAL. 

Second Congregational society in Lisle; incorporated April 15, 1823. 
First Congregational society in Lisle; September 9, 1827. 
Congregational society of Barker; April 30, 1832. 



820 ECCLESIASTICAL. 

West Congregational society in Lisle; July 3, 1832. 

The Chenango Congregational society (Port Crane); September 12, 
1853. 

The Congregational Year Book for 1899 furnishes the location, year 
of organization and present membership of churches of that denomina- 
tion in this county (Binghamton and Union excepted) as follows: 

Lisle, org. 1797, fifty members; Maine, 1819, ninety-seven members; 
Triangle, 1819, fifteen members; Chenango Forks, 1821, eighty-seven 
members; Centre Lisle, 1830, forty-six members. 

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL. 

St. Luke's church at Colesville; incorporated October 11, 1824. 

Zion church, Windsor; August 8, 1842; re-incorporated April 23, 1889. 

Christ church, Deposit; February 10, 1868. 

Grace church, Whitney's Point; December 19, 1870. 

vSt. John's church, Chenango Forks; September 20, 1880. 

St. Luke's church at Colesville dates back in its history to 1793, when 
the first services were read in the town ; and to 1799, when an organiza- 
tion was perfected under the name of St. Luke's church. Zion church, 
of Windsor, was organized in 1842. Christ church. Deposit, was 
organized in July, 1860, with 29 members. Grace church, Whitney's 
Point, was organized in 1870. St. John's church, Chenango Forks, 
was organized in 1877. 

ROMAN CATHOLIC. 

St. Joseph's, Deposit; incorporated March 16, 1881. This church 
was organized in 1848. 

St. Patrick's church, Whitney's Point; May 31, 1889. This church 
was organized in 1872. 

UNIVERSALIST. 

First Religious society of Universalists in Lisle; May 4, 1816. 
First Universalist society in Colesville; June 18, 1838. 

REFORMED METHODIST, 

First Reformed Methodist church in Vestal; August 7, 1838. 
First Reformed Methodist church in Colesville; December 5, 1883. 



ECCLESIASTICAL. 821 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

First Wesleyan Methodist church of Windsor; August 25. 1869. 
The First Religious society in Harpursville; October 9, 1826. 
The Free church of Coles' Hill ; December 20, 1859. 
First Free Methodist church of Harpursville; February 17, 1873. 
First Free Methodist church of Belden (Colesville) ; April 28, 1874. 
Union Religious society of Lester (Windsor); August 31, 1887. 
First Free Methodist church of East Windsor; April 17, 1894. 



PART II. 



Factors in Binghamton History. 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 



Sisson, Benjamin F., was a conspicuous figure in the business history of Bing- 
hamton for a period of more than forty years, and was the chief factor in establish- 
ing a mercantile house which to-day stands at the head of the commercial interests 
of the city. Mr. Sisson was born in North Stonington, Conn., in 1811, and died in 
this city September 8, 1885. In early life he learned the trade of cabinet and furni- 
ture making, and when he came to Binghamton in 1843 he was a competent work- 
man and also the fortunate possessor of sufficient capital to enable him to start a 
small shop and salesroom on the north side of Court street, at the east end of the 
bridge. He was an industrious and prudent mechanic, and from the beginning to 
the close of his long business career, his efforts were rewarded with success. After 
about five years in cabinet making Mr. Sisson in 1847 opened a general merchandise 
store in the Exchange building, which stood just west of the present Sisson block on 
Court street. In 1848 he moved to the corner where the Granite block now stands, 
the lot having previously been the site of the once famous log cabin. Mr. Sisson 
purchased this property in 1849. About this time Oliver A. Sisson became partner 
with his brother in a general dry goods business under the firm name of B. F. & O. 
A. Sisson, and so continued until about 1856, when Isaac N. Hine and William Sis- 
son succeeded to the O. A. Sisson interest. Then the style of the firm was changed 
to B. F. Sisson & Co., and so remained until the spring of 1861, when Mr. Hine's 
interest was sold to Oliver A. Sisson, thus establishing the substantial dry goods 
house of B. F. Sisson & Bros. In August, 1862, the store and stock were destroyed 
by fire, but in the next year the Granite building, then one of the largest and most 
attractive mercantile structures of the village, was erected on the site. On May 1, 
1864, business was resumed on a larger scale than ever before, and the firm was one 
of the largest and strongest in southern New York. In 1867 B. F. Sisson became 
sole proprietor and at once took Charles F. Sisson, his son, as partner, under the 
firm style of B. F. Sisson & Son. Three years later WiUiam W. Sisson, another son. 
came into the firm, upon which the name became B. F. Sisson & Sons. The stock 
was again damaged by fire m December, 1871. but was at once replaced without 
serious delay. In the spring of 1874, after thirty-two years of active and successful 
business life in the village and city, Benjamin F. Sisson retired from the firm. At 
the same time James K Welden became partner with Mr. Sisson's sons, under the 
name of Sisson Bros. & Welden. This firm is still in business, although Mr. Wel- 
den, who married with Mr. Sisson's daughter, is now dead. Neither the extent of 
the business nor the general popularity and wide acquaintance of the firm of Sisson 
Bros. & Welden needs any special mention in this work, as its reputation is thor- 



826 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

oughly established and known throughout this section of the State. Benjamin F. 
Sisson, the founder of the house, built firmly and permanently, and his prudent 
methods were adopted and enlarged upon by the sons who succeeded him in busi- 
ness. In addition to the cares and responsibilities of mercantile life in a constantly 
growing municipality, Mr. Sisson found time to interest himself in public affairs. 
He was village trustee in 1855, and president of the village in 1856. In politics he 
was a Democrat, but he never sought political honors. He was interested in the 
welfare and growth of the city; was loyal to progressive measures, and devoted to 
his family and friends. Mr. Sisson was twice married. His first wife was Maritta 
York, a native of North Stonington, Conn., by whom he had six children, viz. : Mary 
E., who married with James K. Welden; Charles F. and William W., of the firm of 
Sisson Bros. & Welden; Julia, who died young; Benjamin F., jr., a business man of 
Oneonta, and one other, the eldest child, who died in Connecticut. His wife died in 
1866, and in 1867 Mr. Sisson married with Margaret Hillard, of North Stonington. 
The children of this marriage were Fanny A., who died young; E. Carlton, of the 
" Jones of Binghamton" scale company; Cora, now dead; and Madge, of this city. 
Charles F. Sisson was born July 24, 1846. He was educated in the Oak Street School, 
Binghamton Academy, Susquehanna Seminary, Berkshire Academy, and the East- 
man Business College at Poughkeepsie. In 1863 he began business life as clerk in 
his father's store, and in 1867 became a member of the firm. His subsequent career 
is told in the preceding sketch, hence needs no repetition here. He has been senior 
member of the firm of Sisson Bros. & Welden since 1874. He is one of the City 
Hospital trustees, director and vice-president of the City National Bank and trustee 
of the Binghamton Savings Bank. His wife, with whom he married February 29, 
1876, was Annie M., daughter of Sturgis Carey; eight children were born of this mar- 
riage. William W. Sisson was born in Binghamton, October 15, 1849. He was 
educated in the Binghamton Academy and High School, after which he worked as 
clerk in the store where he is now a partner. He became a member of the firm of 
B. F. Sisson & Sons in 1870. He was appointed treasurer of the Binghamton Fire 
Department April 1, 1898, and director of the City National Bank. On March 7, 
1878, William W. Sisson married with Ida Bronson, of Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. Sisson 
died October 20, 1882, leaving one daughter, Eva Sisson. 



Wilkinson, Charles A., who since 1870 has been identified with several of the best 
manufacturing interests of the city, was born in Berkshire county, Mass., September 
24, 1846. He was educated in Drury Academy at North Adams and after gradua- 
tion in 1864 he worked three years in a hardware store and afterwards became a 
partner in the business. In 1870 he came to Binghamton and with his brother, Will- 
iam H. Wilkinson, purchased the Abbott tannery in Millville, as commonly known. 
In 1876 he sold his interest in the business and became a stockholder in the BoUes 
Hoe and Tool Co. He was superintendent of the works and also treasurer of the 
company for a period of about ten years. In 1883 in partnership with W. H. East- 
wood and the late Charles Davis he began manufacturing children's carriages, sleds 
and novelties. In 1886 he resigned his position as superintendent and treasurer of 
the Hoe and Tool Co. and bought the interest of Davis when the firm became Wil- 
kinson & Eastwood ; they began making chairs in 1889 and ever since then have 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 827 

transacted a large business in that line. In 1889 the Winton Manufacturing Com- 
pany met with reverses and the Wilkinson Manufacturing Co. was organized to pur- 
chase the works and continue the business formerly conducted by the insolvent con- 
cern. The new company comprised William H., Charles A. and E. S.Wilkinson, W. 
H. Eastwood and two or three other stockholders. This manufacturing concern 
has done a large and profitable business. He was one of the incorporators of the 
Zenith Cycle Co. in 1895, and is now a stockholder and director in the Wilkinson & 
Bliss Shoe Company, the latter doing business in North Adams, Mass. Notwith- 
standing his close association with these several interests which have required almost 
constant attention Mr. Wilkinson has taken a commendable part in the public affairs 
of the city. He is one of the managers of the Susquehanna Valley Home, having 
acted as secretary for twelve years. He is a firm Republican though not in any 
sense a politician. He served one term as alderman of the Third ward; this has 
been the extent of his political holdings. On December 24, 18G8, Mr. Wilkinson 
married Lilian, daughter of S. E. Dean, a woolen manufacturer of Adams, Mass. ; of 
this marriage four children were born. 



Bayless, George C, was born in Conklin, Broome count}-, April 27, 1862, and was 
the elder of two sons of John Bayless, of whom special mention is made in this vol- 
ume. In 1869 the family removed to Binghamton. George was educated in the city 
schools and also at Phillips Academy at Andover, Mass., and left the latter institu- 
tion in 1881 to engage in business with the firm of Bayless & Berkalew in the con- 
struction of an acid works. Later on he was employed as clerk in the City National 
Bank of Binghamton, where he remained one year. In 1882 he became one of the 
firm of Bayless & Co., pulp manufacturers at Binghamton. This business was con- 
tinued until 1893, and was then succeeded by the Bayless Pulp and Paper Company, 
incorporated with a capital of $75,000. George C. Bayless has been president of the 
company since its incorporation. The other officers are A. J. Schlager, vice-presi- 
dent, and Frank J. Bayless, secretary and treasurer. For a period of more tlian fif- 
teen years George C. Bayless has been actively engaged in business pursuits in this 
city, yet during that time he has found opportunity to take part in the political affairs 
of the city and county. He is an ardent Republican, having full faith in the princi- 
ples of the party, but an especial dislike for all unsavory party methods. Mr. Bay- 
less was a city excise commissioner one term, and chairman of the board ; was alder- 
man of the Third ward in 1885-86, and mayor of the city in 1887. He was one of 
the original trustees of the Barlow School of Industrial Arts, and is now secretary of 
the board. In fact Mr. Bayless has been an active spirit of this worthy institution of 
our city since it was incorporated by the regents in 1889. Much more than this the 
writer might truthfully say, but refrains from further comment. Mr. Bayless is a 
young business man, and we cannot speak of him as of one of more advanced years, 
whose career is perhaps nearer its close. On April 27, 1886, George C. Bayless mar- 
ried Georgia E., daughter of Jacob F. Healey of Brooklyn, N. Y. One child has 
been born of this marriage — Stanley C. Bayless. 



Guilfoyle, John, our city assessor for the term beginning in 1870, came to live in 
Binghamton in 1849, and from that time to his death, June 4, 1878, he was closely 



828 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

identified with our best interests, educational, business and social. He is remem- 
bered by our older citizens as an early teacher in St. James' parochial school, con- 
nected with St. John's parish, where his splendid mental qualities attracted much at- 
tention, not only in the village, but throughout the southern tier counties. After his 
connection with the school was severed, Mr. Guilfoyle engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness on Court street with Mr. Potter, and he was regarded as a man of excellent 
business capacity and undoubted integrity. In 1870 he was elected city assessor, in 
which office his record was clean, straightforward and honorable. In 1871, when 
Edward H. Ruloff, the condemned murderer, was about to be executed in punisli- 
ment for his crimes, Mr. Guilfoyle frequently visited the unfortunate criminal in his 
cell and conversed with him on philological subjects, in which both were well learned, 
and also earnestly endeavored to turn his thoughts to spiritual matters, in the hope 
that he might not die unrepentant. Courteously though unmoved the hardened man 
received the admonitions of our worthy townsman, and he went to his fate without a 
single manifestation of penitence or regret. John Guilfoyle was born in Limerick, 
Ireland, in 1812, and was educated for the priesthood, but death in the family neces- 
sitated a change in his plans. In 1849 he came to Binghamton. The events of his 
subsequent life have been told in preceding paragraphs. Naturally he was of a quiet 
and conservative disposition, a close student and observer of men and measures. 
He was one of the best read men and a superior classical scholar. Moreover, he was 
an earnest, devoted Christian, and exemplary in all the walks of life. To such a man 
death cannot come untimely. Mr. Guilfoyle's wife was Margaret A. Fitz Gibbons, 
who survives him, with whom he married December 26, 1854. Their children were 
John M., Mary E. (who died in childhood), Winifred M., William P., Daniel J. and 
Joseph F. Guilfoyle. 



Bartlett, Arthur S., eldest son of Isaac L. Bartlett, and present senior member of 
the firm of Bartlett & Co., was born in Binghamton, April 2, 1847. He was educated 
in the Binghamton Academy and the High School, having graduated from the latter 
institution with the class of 1864. Two years later he was graduated at Lowell's 
Business College. Still later he was bookkeeper for the well-known packing and 
shipping firm of Morgan & Pratt. About 1867 he took charge of the books of Blanch- 
ard & Bartlett, and continued in the office of the firm until 1875, when he became 
head of the successor partnership of Bartlett Bros From that time to the present 
Mr. Bartlett has been the active, controlling manager of the business, and much of 
its success during the past twentj^-five years has been the result of his personal at- 
tention. He is one of the trustees of the Chenango Valley Savings Bank, a director 
of the First National Bank and of the Binghamton Beet Sugar Company. Mr. Bart- 
lett is a member of the park commission of the city, and president of the board. On 
October 23, 1882, Arthur S. Bartlett married Kate Mapledoram of Monticello, N. Y. 



Bartlett, James H., second son of Robert S. Bartlett, was born February 15, 1841, 
and has always lived in Binghamton. He went to school in the old Seymour build- 
ing at the corner of Washington and Hawley streets, and also attended the Bing- 
hamton Academy and the Susquehanna Seminary. After leaving school he worked 
for a time as clerk in a hat store, but in 1857 he was employed in the village post- 




JAMES H. BARTLETT 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 



829 



office under Postmaster Virgil Whitney; and from that time to 1894. with very brief 
intervals, he was continuously in the office in the capacity of clerk, deputy or assist- 
ant postmaster. In 1898 he was reappointed deputy postmaster, which position he 
now holds. During the incumbency of Edward B. Stephens, Mr. Bartlett was first 
appointed deputy postmaster, and was continued in that capacity under Col. Dunn, 
and was reappointed under Mr. Roberts. As a matter of fact, especially during the 
early portion of this service, the deputy really performed the duties of postmaster, 
as well as his own, and the responsibilities of both positions fell upon him. This 
long period of faithful service might and should have been better rewarded, and at 
least one term as postmaster should have been its compensation ; but in the dispen- 
sation of political favors in this city, as elsewhere, meritorious service has not al- 
ways prevailed with the appointing power in influencing its action Mr. Bartlett 
has been a life-long and earnest Republican, and has been an active factor in the 
political history of the city for more than twenty-five years He was alderman of 
the Fourth ward from 1873 to 1879, and in the latter year was elected mayor of the 
city, serving one term, and during that period showing marked executive ability. 
His membership in Fountain Hose Company dates back almost to boyhood, and 
hardly an office exists in the organization that he has not filled. He has been presi- 
dent of the company since the office was established, more than twenty years ago. 
On June 13, 1883, James H. Bartlett married Mary Doran ; three children were born 
of this marriage, of whom only one, Helen M. Bartlett, is now living. Mary Doran 
Bartlett died January 25, 1893. 



Davidson, John D., was born near Schoharie village, N. Y. , January 25, 1846, and 
was the fourth of twelve children in the family of James and Jane (Hungerford) 
Davidson. In 1851 the family came to Colesville, Broome county, where James 
Davidson died in 1891. When twelve years old John came to Binghamton and did 
boy's work in Page's and Hungerford's dry goods stores, but after about three years 
returned to Colesville, living at home on the farm and attending school. In a few 
more years he came to the village and worked in Isaiah S. Dunham's grocery. After 
a time he went into the oil regions of Pennsylvania, remaining some months and 
then returned to the more agreeable locality of Binghamton. His later employers 
here were such well known business men as D. C. Stryker, John Hungerford and A. 
S. Miner, all leading merchants. Mr. Davidson was in Miner's store ten years, and 
at the end of that time spent two years in Southern Kansas, but returning east he 
became connected with the Binghamton City Water Works, in the capacity of in- 
spector and clerk in the office. He has been thus employed since 1885, and is not 
only a faithful assistant in the performance of his duties, but is thoroughly acquaint- 
ed with all the details of the water works department of city government. Mr. 
Davidson is one of the veteran Masons of the city, his membership in old Windsor 
Lodge dating back more than thirty years. From Windsor Lodge he demitted to 
Binghamton Lodge. He is also a member of Binghamton Chapter, R. A. M. , and 
Malta Commandery, K. T. On June 12, 1871, John D. Davidson was united in mar- 
riage with Mary J. Smith, by whom he had two children. 



Middlebrook, Charles D., of the present firm of C. D. Middlebrook & Son, formerly 



830 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

C. D. Middlebrook&Co.,isthe directorof one of the largest wholesale and retail lumber 
concerns in the southern tier. He has been in the lumber business continuously for 
forty-five years. In 1873 he came to Binghamton from Oswego, where for fifteen 
years he had been in the wholesale lumber business. Four years before removing 
from Oswego, Mr. Middlebrook had established a branch yard here, the nucleus of 
his present extensive industry. In 1879 he purchased the lot now covered by his 
yards, situated on Lewis street and bounded, at that time, on the west by the Che- 
nango canal. The following year he erected a well appointed brick lumber building 
capable of containing from two to three million feet of lumber — the largest of its 
kind in the State, if not in any State. The canal was abandoned a year or two later 
and the lands given to the city for a street to be called State street. Mr. Middle- 
brook is a Republican and though in no sense a politician, has always been inter- 
ested in public affairs and such improvements as are necessary to the healthy growth 
of the city. He joined the First Baptist church during the pastorate of the well- 
known Dr. Lyman Wright and has ever since been one of its leading members, serv- 
ing both as deacon and as trustee. Mr. Middlebrook is a native of Ballston, Sara- 
toga county. 



Phelps, Z. Bennett, comptroller of the Security Mutual Life Insurance Company, 
has been a resident and business man of this city since 1895, yet during that time he 
has become thoroughly identified with several of our best mterests. He is a director 
as well as comptroller of the Security Mutual and is also a director of the Susque- 
hanna Valley Bank and of the Ogden Brick Company. Mr. Phelps is a native of 
Wilkes-Barre, Pa , born December 7, 1870, and is a son of the late John C. Phelps 
(a former banker of Wilkes-Barre), and a grandson of Jaman H. Phelps, the latter a 
brother to the late Sherman D. Phelps, of Binghamton. In this connection it is in- 
teresting to note that the immigrant ancestor of the Phelps family in America was 
William Phelps of Tewksbury, England, who settled in Gloucester, Mass., in 1630, 
and who also was one of the founders of the settlement at Windsor, Conn., in 1636. 
Jaman H. and Sherman D. Phelps were among the seven sons of Alexander Phelps, 
and all of them were early settlers in New York and Pennsylvania. They were six 
generations in descent from William Phelps, the immigrant. Z. Bennett Phelps 
was educated in St. Paul's School, Concord, N. H., and at Yale College, graduating 
at the latter institution in 1895. In the fall of that year he became a resident in this 
city. He was elected comptroller of the Security Mutual in February, 1897, and is 
now one of the active managing officers of that remarkably successful corporation. 
Mr. Phelps' wife, with whom he married April 8, 1896, was Elizabeth D. Drown, 
daughter of William A. Drown, of Philadelphia. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps have one 
daughter, Elizabeth D. Phelps. 



Van Name, John B., president of the City National Bank, is a native of the old 
town of Chenango, born January 11, 1833. His father was Cornelius Van Name, 
who is well remembered as a substantial farmer and lumberman in northern Broome 
county, and an almost life-long resident of Chenango. The pioneer of the family in 
this part of the State was William Van Name, a seafaring man in his earlier days, 
whose ancestors settled in Ulster county and thence removed to Staten Island. He 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. gSl 

was induced to come to this part of Tioga countvahonn^on ft, ,, u • 

business career was begun in Sharon Conn iniSRi y "^ our municipahty. His 
uncle, aeorge A. KeJ, he openTa grer^l^t^ •i;th:t" v^^^^^^^^^^ 

n i !. ''^f ''^"' Chenango county, travehng by way of Binghamton He was 
pleased with our enterprising city and in 1874 he came here to live and engagrfn 
business. He opened a grocery store at the corner of Court and Carroll ftreets 
where he has ever since been located. Between 1870 and 1880 Bingham ^n en oved 
Its most healthful increase, both in population and commercial imp .rtance an 1 Mr 
Buck was one of the many men who came during that period and ontributed tt fhe 

m 1887. 1888 and 1889. serving on the committee on streets, walks and bridges, when 
the Court street bridge was built, at a time when men of undoubted charact;r and 
determination were needed on the board. It was fortunate for our city that Mr 

toThe ho' r '. ""''"'"'' "' '^"' """ '" '''' ^°^ ^^-^" '- 1«97. he was elected 
to the board of supervisors and has proved a valuable member of that body Mr 
Buck was an original Republican and cast his first vote for Fremont in 1856 He is 
still a firm Republican. George H. Buck was born in Afton. February 23 1885 and 
was the son of Noble and Sarah Ann (Kelsey) Buck, being the only .son in a family 
of four children. He lived at home on his fathers farm until twenty-eight years old 
when he went into business in Sharon with his uncle, as has been mentioned He 
married, November 5, 1863, Mary E.. daughter of Lancaster Putnam of Colesville 
Ut this marriage three children were born, of whom two are now living- Willard a" 
and Howard L. Buck, both of whom are in their father's store. Mr. Buck is a con" 
sistent and devoted member of the Centenary M. E. church; and is steward and ohe 
of the trustees of the society. 

Stone, Charles M.. a lawyer by education and profession, wholesale merchant and 
manufacturer by more recent choice and necessity, and a liberal public-spirited citi- 
zen by every inclination, was born in Binghamton. February 6, 1856. He was the 
son of the late Martin Stone, who was a prominent figure in local history and busi- 
ness circles for many years, and one of our most worthy men. Martin Stone's wife 
was Rebecca, daughter of John McKinney, the latter being a son of Judge Jacob Mc- 
Kmney. both important characters in early village history. Mr. Stone was educated 
in our city schools, and also at Yale College, where he was graduated in 1878. He 
studied law m the office of Gilman L. Sessions, and was admitted to the bar in 1880. 
He practiced only a short time, devoting himself chiefly to patent cases, and then 
engaged in manufacturing and business pursuits. He was an original partner in the 
hrm of Crandall, Stone & Co.. manufacturers of carriage hardware, one of the lead- 



832 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

ing industries of our city. After the death of John Ray Clarke, in 1890, Mr. Stone, 
son-in-law of Mr. Clarke, took charge of the wholesale hat and cap business con- 
ducted by the John Ray Clarke Company, and has since continued it with gratifying 
success. Still earlier than this, in 1876, upon the death of his father, Mr. Stone took 
charge of the estate and subsequently enlarged it and increased its value. The 
erection of the Stone Opera House in 1892 was entirely his own enterprise, and for 
which our people owe him a lasting debt of gratitude. He was also one of the found- 
ers of the Court Street, East End and West Side Electric Street Railroads, and in 
many other ways has been and still is connected with the best interests of our city, a 
detail of which is unnecessary in this sketch. Politically Mr. Stone is a Republican, 
though taking no active part in city or county politics. He was one of the first trus- 
tees of the City Hospital and secretary of the board. This office he resigned to be- 
come school commissioner, which latter position he still holds. 



McVey, Rev. John, D. D., pastor of the North Presbyterian church of this city, 
was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and when eleven years of age came to the United 
States. He was educated in New York University and Union Theological Seminary, 
New York city. For a period of eight years he was pastor of the Presbyterian 
church of New Lebanon, N. Y., and for two years pastor of the First Presbyterian 
church of Dayton, Ohio. He came thence to this city and on March 1, 1875, became 
officially connected with the North Presbyterian church. He was formally installed 
in the pastorate October 11, 1875, and still holds that relation to the church. The 
estimate of Dr. McVey's services in the church and society is best stated in the his- 
tory of the North church, for which see another chapter. 



Ford, Rodney A., was born May 16, 1817, in Fairfield, Herkimer county, N. Y. In 
August of the year 1840, he came to Binghamton, N. Y., as a member of the firm of 
Brown, Ford & Co., successors to Brown & Co., dealers in dry goods. Their place 
of business was on the corner of Court and Washington streets, where the City 
National Bank is now located. In 1841 Mr. Ford purchased the interest of Mr. 
Brown, and the new firm, R. A. Ford & Co., continued business until 1854. From 
1855 to 1870 he was in the soap and candle manufacturing business and also in the 
general merchandise business in Bmghamton and Philadelphia, Pa. In the years 
1847-49-50 and '62, he acted in the capacity of village trustee. In 1867 he was made 
city assessor and continued as such for six years. In 1875 Mr. Ford, always a staunch 
Democrat, was elected to the Assembly in this almost overwhelming Republican 
county; he was the first Democrat elected to this office in twenty-three years. 

In early village history Mr. Ford was identified with the health board, school 
board and fire department, organizing the present Protective Hose Company in the 
year 1867, at which time he was made its president, remaining such for many years, 
and he is at the present time a member of the company. When the Binghamton 
State Hospital was established, Mr. Ford was appointed by Governor Robinson as 
one of the trustees of that institution, and he was chosen president of the board at 
the first meeting of the trustees. He continued his connection with this institution 
for about six years. He was one of the promoters of the Albany & Susquehanna 
railroad and was a director at the time of the famous fight referred to in the Chapter 




RODNEY A. FORU. 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 833 

on railroads. Since the year 1870 Mr. Ford has been widely known in connection 
with the selling of the D. & H. C. Go's coal. 

In 1844 Mr. Ford married Mary Adeline Whitney, daughter of Virgil Whitney. 
They began housekeeping on the site of the Geo. A Kent residence on Court street, 
thence removed to Front street and in 1867 to the Virgil Whitney homestead on 
Frederick street, where they still reside. 



Hogg, Charles N.. chief engineer of the Binghamton Fire Department, was born 
in. Seneca county, N. Y.. July 7, 1854, and is the son of David Hogg, who came to 
this country from Scotland in the year 1834 and was for many years one of our busi- 
ness men and highly respected citizens. The greater portion of the life of Chief Hogg 
was spent in Binghamton where he attended the public schools and also the Central 
High School, after which he went West and engaged in railroad surveying in Iowa, 
Nebraska and Colorado, returning to this city in 1885 and entered the employ of 
Lester Bros., boot and shoe manufacturers, then located at the corner of Washington 
and Henry streets. In 1886 he accepted a clerkship in the freight department of the 
Erie Railroad Company in this city and remained with this corporation until his 
duties of chief engineer compelled him to resign his position at the freight office and 
devote all his time to the fire service. He joined the Binghamton Fire Department 
March 13, 1872, and became a member of Crystal Hose Company No. 1, of which he 
was foreman from July, 1887, until July, 1889, and was again re-elected their foreman 
in July, 1890, and held the office until March, 1891, when he was elected first assist- 
ant engineer of the Fire Department, which office he held until March, 1892, when 
he was elected to the office of chief of the Fire Department for two years and at the 
expiration of his term was appointed permanent chief by the fire commissioners. In 
this position the chief knows no rest, no regular hours of service, and is presumably 
on duty day and night unless temporarily relieved after due notice to his assistants 
and the fire commissioners. Thus it will be seen that Chief Hogg is one of the busi- 
est men in the city.'and the cares and responsibilities of his position can only be real- 
ized and appreciated by those who are connected with the fire service. 



McKmney, Sabin, son of Judge Jacob McKinney, the pioneer merchant of Che- 
nango Point, was born in Binghamton, March 7, 1816. After his preparatory course 
in Rev. Peter Lockwood's Classical School, and also in Oberlin College, he entered 
Amherst College in 1888, and was graduated in 1841. He finished his theological 
studies in Auburn Theological Seminary, and Union Seminary in New York in 1844_ 
After supplying the churches in Bath and Vernon Centre he went, in 1846, to Green 
wich, N. Y. In 1847 he married Elizabeth S. Corliss, of Greenwich. He had two 
pastorates, Fredonia and Bergen, and while performing their duties he developed 
chronic sore throat, and became so prostrated that he was unable to serve as pastor 
or preach without great suffering. Therefore, in 1857, he returned to Binghamton. 
where at first he engaged in commission business and afterward became a coal dealer 
for the D.. L. & W. Coal Company, and so continued to the time of his death, July 
18, 1896. His son Charles was partner with him in the coal business. Mr. McKin- 
ney served on the first board of water commissioners, and was school commissioner 
several years, as the history of those branches of municipal government will fully 
53 



834 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

disclose. Of his family of six sons and six daughters, seven survived him. Silas 
McKinney was born in Binghamton, November 2, 1818. He began iiis college course 
in Amherst, and finished it in Union College, where he was graduated in 1842. He 
then began the study of law, but felt called to the ministry. He entered Auburn 
Theological Seminary in 1843, and graduated in 1846. Early in 1847 he married 
Fanny Nelson, and on April 29, following, he and his wife sailed as missionaries to 
South Africa. Mrs. McKinney and a daughter were buried on African soil. Mr. 
McKinney, being entirely broken in health, relinquished his missionary labors in 
1863 and returned to America with his four children. He lived in Vineland, N. J., 
a few years, and died April 21, 1888, at his home, in Auburn, N. Y. He spent his 
last years in his own quiet way working for the Master as he had strength and 
opportunity. 



Gennet, Charles W., treasurer of the Binghamton Savings Bank, is a native of 
Fort Plain, Montgomery county, born September 24, 1848, and is the son of Aaron 
Gennet, who for almost half a century has been identified with the business history 
of Binghamton. In 1851 Aaron Gennet came to the village with his family. Charles 
was educated in the old Binghamton Academy, and also in Lowell's Business Col- 
lege, graduating at the latter in 18G8. On June 19 of the same year he was em- 
ployed as clerk, bookkeeper and teller in the Binghamton Savings Bank, and in one 
capacity or another he has ever since been connected with this solid financial institu- 
tion of the city. On March 5, 1895, he was elected to the board of trustees, and on 
May 7 of the same year was elected treasurer, vice Harris G. Rodgers, who died May 
2, 1895. Mr. Gennet also has been" connected with various other institutions of the 
city. He became a member of Excelsior H. & L. Co. No. 1, in 1868, and his name is 
still on the company's honorary roll, although his active connection with the organi- 
zation ceased in 1888. In February, 1881, upon the organization of the city police 
commission, he was appointed secretary of the board, and still holds that position. 
In September, 1897, he was appointed school commissioner for a term of five years. 
On October 23, 1873, Mr. Gennet married Julia E., daughter of the late Edward Y. 
Park, of Kirkwood. Two children were born of this marriage, one of whom is still 
living. 



Cafferty, Lee M., one of our city supervisors in 1893, 1894 and 1895, is a native of 
the town of Union, and was born December 12, 1854. He was the son of Charles M. 
Cafferty, who for many years was identified with the best interests of the city, he 
having removed here from Union in 1856 to assume proprietorship of the old Che- 
nango House, formerly Peterson's Hotel, which stood where is now the Congrega- 
tional church edifice. Mr. Cafferty was also proprietor of the Exchange and Ameri- 
can hotels, and was one of the most popular landlords in this part of the State. He 
was a city supervisor in 1876. He died in 1877. The Cafferty family were among 
the pioneers of Union, and will be mentioned more at length m the history of that 
cown. Mrs. Charles M. Cafferty was the daughter of Lewis Dubois, and was de- 
scended from one of the pioneers of Vestal. Lucius D. (he is best known in the city 
as " Lute "), and Lee M. Cafferty were the only children of Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. 
Cafferty. Lee was educated in our village and city schools, and also in a college 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 835 

preparatory school at Amenia, Dutchess county. Leaving school, he became clerk 
and bookkeeper in the City National Bank, where he remained about eight years. 
In 1878 he succeeded to the livery business in which his father had been engaged for 
many years. In 1893 he built the pretty little Bijou Opera House on Water street. 
For many years he has been secretary and treasurer of the Binghamton Driving Park 
Association. He is a charter member of the Dolson Club, and is also a member of 
the several Masonic bodies of the city. 



Kane, Selden D., city clerk, was born in the town of Hamlin, Monroe county, N. 
Y., March 27, 1861, and was the son of Dewitt B. and Angeline (Tompkins) Kane, 
his father being a farmer. When Selden was nine years old his parents moved to 
East Hamlin village, where he was sent to the district school. His later education 
was acquired in the State Normal School at Brockport, and also in the Rochester 
Business College, where he graduated in 1883. In the following year Mr. Kane 
went to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and for a year was a teacher in the academic depart- 
ment of the University of New Mexico. He then returned home and taught in the 
schools of Monroe county from 1885 to 1891. In 1892 he came to Binghamton and 
engaged in the jewelry business until 1897, when he sold out and opened a real estate 
sales agency. He was thus engaged until February, 1899, when he was elected city 
clerk. From this last statement we naturally infer that Mr. Kane, during his resi- 
dence in the city, has been a factor in local politics; and such in fact was the case. 
He is a firm and consistent Democrat, careful in making political pledges and faith- 
ful in their performance. He was twice elected alderman of the Fifth ward, defeat- 
ing the strongest candidates of the Republican party at each election. Mr. Kane 
served as member of the Common Council from 1896 to 1899, and during his second 
term was chairman of the finance committee. He resigned the office in January, 
1899, upon his election to the clerkship. On March 6, 1884, Selden D. Kane married 
with Cornelia B., daughter of Samuel Spurr, of Holly, Orleans county; of this mar- 
riage four children have been born. 



Smith, William Sidney, youngest son of Joseph Clark Smith, esquire, of County 
Kerry, Ireland, was born in the year 1820. He came to this country in 1842, almost 
immediately engaging in active business in Binghamton, where he lived up to the 
time of his death in 1889. In the fall of 1842 Mr. Smith entered the drug store of Dr. 
Edwin Eldridge in the Court street building now numbered 55. In 1845 he formed 
a partnership with Dr. Eldridge, who in the meantime had removed to and was 
established in the drug business at the present No. 58 Court street, the same build- 
ing now occupied by Mr. Smith's sons, William and Edward, and which at that time 
rented for $150 a year. This partnership continued three years when Mr. Smith 
purchased Mr. Eldridge's interest and continued the business in his own name. It is 
a fact worthy of note that Mr. Smith remained in the same place of business nearly 
half a century. In 1854 George Dwyer, brother-in-law of Mr. Smith, became partner 
with the latter under the firm name of Smith & Dwyer, and continued until his death 
in 1876, Mr. Smith then taking into partnership his sons George O'D. and William 
T. Smith. On account of Mr. Smith's long and honorable mercantile career, coupled 
with an equable temperament and affable manner, few men in Binghamton were 



836 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

more thoroughly liked and respected. He was up to the time of his death the oldest 
steamship agent in the United States, and also the oldest merchant doing business 
in Broome county. He was appointed by Governor Robinson one of the first board 
of trustees of the Binghamton State Hospital. He also was one of the trustees of 
the Binghamton Savings Bank and of St. Mary's Home. Well qualified for civic 
honors he declined all suggestions of preferment and found in his business and home 
and the companionship of an extended circle of acquaintance the fullest enjoyment 
and satisfaction that an active life can demand. In 1850 Mr. Smith married the tal- 
ented and accomplished daughter of George O'Dwyer, solicitor, of Tralee, Ireland. 
They had six children: Frank M., George O'D., WiUiamT., Edward C, JaneC. and 
Frederick S. Smith. 



Crary, Horace H., was born in the town of Liberty, Sullivan county, N. Y., August 
29, 1824, and died at Binghamton, N. Y., June 10, 1898. Mr. Crary was in lineage, 
character and appearance, a typical New Englander. He was a man of fine physique 
and imposing appearance, standing six feet, four inches, in height, and weighing 
about three hundred pounds. On his paternal side he was of Scotch descent, but 
both his paternal and maternal ancestors were for so many generations residents of 
New England, that they rank as to the manor born. 

In 1800, Thomas Crary, the grandfather of Horace, settled near the village of Lib- 
erty, in what was then the town of Lumberland, in the county of Ulster, but is now 
in the town of Liberty, in the county of Sullivan. He soon after purchased a farm 
about two miles from the village of Liberty, on which some member of the family 
has ever since continued to reside. He represented Sullivan county in the State 
Legislature in the year 1836, was at one time chosen one of the associate judges of 
his county, and was commonlv known throughout the county as Judge Crary. 

Calvert Crary, a son of Thomas Crary and father of the subject of this sketch, was 
born at Liberty, N. Y., August 11, 1798, and spent his life on the homestead near 
Liberty. A prosperous farmer, honored and influential among his fellows, the head 
of a large family, his business and his family fully occupied his time and attention. 
In March, 1823, he married Eliza Hill, and died at the age of eighty years. His 
wife, Eliza, the mother of Horace, died at the ripe age of over ninety years. 

The early opportunities of Horace were not great. Sullivan county was yet largely 
in the back woods. Here and there, scattered through its borders, were small set- 
tlements. Liberty was a thriving little village; Monticello, the county seat, was 
twelve miles distant from Mr. Crary's home; and the nearest point of any impor- 
tance was Newburg, more than fifty miles away. Horace attended the district 
school quite regularly from the time he was five, until he became fifteen years of 
age ; and from that time until he was twenty, attended the same school in the winter 
when there was nothing else with which to busy himself. He had a genius for fig- 
ures, and was standing authority on these questions in school. In the summer time 
he varied working on the farm with cattle droving, speculation, and selling goods by 
auction at the general trainings. Sometimes in the winter he sold game and poul- 
try in the markets of New York city. At that time he could obtain the privilege of 
standing in Washington market during the day and selling his goods, on the pay- 
ment of a sixpence for his stand. At night he could nail his produce up in a box 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 837 

and leave it with a watchman, who took charge of it without extra expense. From 
1840 to 1850, he continued to reside at Liberty, and was engaged in selling goods at 
auction at the general trainings, following them up from day to day, sometimes 
driving twenty miles after the close of the day's work to be ready to open up busi- 
ness the next day at another training. This contmued until 1846, when the general 
trainings ceased. From that time until 1850, he was engaged in the butcher busi- 
ness and in droving, buying cattle and sheep in Central New York and driving them 
to Sullivan county, and buying horses in Ohio and Canada and bringing them East 
and selling them. In his business transactions he early learned to rely upon himself. 
His father's name was good in the surroundmg country for a considerable amount, 
and this credit he loaned to Horace in his business, by endorsement and otherwise, 
but the paper was always taken care of by Horace as faithfully as though it was the 
endorsement of a stranger. Farther than these good offices, he never had any as- 
sistance from home, or elsewhere. 

In 1850 Mr. Crary was elected supervisor of the town of Liberty, and performed 
the duties of the office for the year. In that year he went to Hancock, and in con- 
nection with others, under the firm name of Allison, Gregory & Co., built a tannery 
on Sands creek about two miles above Hancock village, afterward known as the 
Allisonville tannery. Soon after the commencement of the enterprise, one of the 
partners died, and the firm name was changed to Allison, Davidge & Co. The Erie 
railway had just been completed, and had opened up the Delaware valley to the out- 
side world. Crary was now about twenty-six years of age. He felt that the business 
of his life had opened before him, and took hold of it with a pluck and energy that 
never flagged or wavered until many years afterward, when the partial loss of his 
sight called for a halt in the more active efforts of his life. In the woods where the 
bark was peeled, about the tannery and everywhere else where the business interests 
of his firm called him, the effect of his industry, energy and push was felt and the 
business of the firm prospered. 

In October, 1853, Horace H. Crary was married to Polly Burr, of Liberty, N. Y. 
Dame Fortune smiled on Horace Crary at various times and in many ways, but 
never brighter or more propitiously than in the selection of his companion for life. 
For the great success which afterward came to him, both in his business life and in 
his home, his companion is entitled to her fair share of the credit. Of New England 
lineage, a woman of rare abilities, she proved the embodiment of all that could be 
desired as the helpmeet and companion of an active business man. The home built 
by Mr. Crary at the tannery near Hancock, in 1850, was occupied by him and his 
family until October, 1885, and he continued to be interested in the business there. 

In October, 1856, the firm was reorganized under the name of Allison, Crarj- & 
Co., with Walter Horton as junior partner. John Davidge went to Lake Como, in 
Wayne county. Pa., and together with the new firm of Allison, Crary & Co., built a 
tannery there, a one half interest in which was owned by the firm of Allison, Crary 
& Co. 

In 1866 Mr. Crary purchased a one- third interest in land located in Warren county, 
Pa., which had been taken up by Walter Horton and Webb Horton, and November 
1, 1866, the firm of Horton, Crary & Co. was organized, to do business at Sheffield, 
Warren county, Pa. The next year they built the Sheffield tannery and were act- 
ively at work. This venture proved the beginning of a very extensive and success- 



838 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

ful business, which afterward grew to be one of the most prosperous in that State. 
Mr. Crary's youngest brother, Jerry, who had been seriously wounded at the battle of 
Resaca, Ga., in 1864, and who was now so far recovered as to be able to do some 
work, was soon afterward admitted into the partnership, at once took a responsible 
and active part in the management of the growing business interests of the firm, and 
continued one of its most active and trusted members. 

Horton, Crary & Co. bought a controlling interest in the sole leather tannery, 
founded at Sheffield by J. F. Schoellkopf, of Buffalo. With this gentleman, they 
formed an independent partnership, under the firm name of Schoellkopf, Horton & 
Co. Soon after, Horton, Crary & Co. associated with John McNair and C. W. R. 
Radeker and built what was called the Tionesta tannery. They also bought the 
Brookston tannery, situated eight miles from Sheffield, and started under the firm 
name of the Forest Tanning Co. Later, they purchased the Arroyo tannery, at Ar- 
royo, on the Clarion river. Elk county. Pa. The firm built the Tionesta Valley rail- 
road, which opened up connection with the Pittsburg & Western railroad. Later the 
firm bought the Cherry Grove & Garfield railroad, and controlled and operated about 
seventy-five miles of roads and switches, of special service to its own business in 
moving lumber and bark, and of great value to the region through which it runs for 
transporting passengers as well as freight. 

In 1875, H. H. Crary, Wm. H. Garrett, James Horton and Edson Davidge, under 
the firm name of Crary, Garrett, Horton & Co., built a tannery at Westfield, Tioga 
county. Pa. William H. Garrett died in November, 1876. The firm was soon after 
reorganized under the firm name of H. H. Crary & Co. In 1881 H. H. Crary & Co. 
associated with Messrs. W. G. Garrett and L. R. Jackson, built the Harrison Valley 
tannery, at Harrison Valley, Pa., taking the firm name of Walter Horton & Co. 
Horton, Crary & Co. started a leather exporting house at 78 Gold street. New York 
city; and afterward Horton, Crary & Co., H. H. Crary & Co., and Walter Horton & 
Co., under the firm name of Walter Horton & Co., opened the leather house at 107 
South street, Boston, Mass. In 1888 Mr. Crary, in connection with Walter Horton, 
James Horton, Walter G. Garrett, E. G. Davidge and L. R. Johnson, purchased the 
tannery at Salamanca, N. Y., and organized under the firm name of James Horton 
& Co. 

To add to the business interests of Sheffield, about 1875 petroleum was found in 
large quantities upon the premises, and the oil interest became one of the business 
matters of the firms. About the time of the discovery of oil, natural gas was found 
in abundance, and all the light and heat necessary for domestic and mechanical 
purposes about Sheffield and its vicinity, has since been furnished by the gas wells 
located upon the premises. 

Up to the fall of 1876 Mr. Crary was one of the most energetic and active business 
men in the country. His indomitable energy and push were felt in every business 
interest with which he was connected. In all his active business life, from the days 
of his boyhood until the day of the presidential election in 1876, he had never known 
what it was to be incapacitated for business for any length of time. Returning 
home from a hard day's work at the polls, his eyes, until then seemingly perfect, be- 
gan to pain him, and before the beginning of the new year, he was threatened with 
blindness Like a bolt out of a clear sky, this threatened calamity almost unnerved 
him, but soon the old will got the mastery and he resolved to make the best of it and 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 



839 



accomplish what he might be spared to do. Consulting the best oculists in the coun- 
try, he was informed that he must break loose from his direct and active connection 
in his business affairs, and that to do so would be best for him to leave home for a 
time. The winter of 1877 and 1878 was spent in Florida, and in May, 1878, he. to- 
gether with his wife and daughter Emma, now the wife of J. C. Young, of Liberty, 
N. Y., sailed for Europe, where they spent a considerable part of the year. July 4, 
1878, was spent at Interlaken. At Mr. Crary's suggestion, the stars and stripes were 
hoisted above all other flags, and during that anniversary day floated over them all. 
The next season he made a trip to California, and since then has been quite a 
traveler. 

In 1885 he removed to the city of Binghamton, where he resided at the time of his 
death. He never fully recovered his sight, and for that reason was unable to take a 
direct and active part in the bu.siness of the several firms with which he was con- 
nected, but he never ceased to act as counsellor, guide, friend and organizer, and 
there was no time in which his experience, ability and energy was not felt in the 
conduct of the business. 

In the fall of 1892 Mr. Crary was associated with nine tanning firms and the mill- 
ing firm at Hancock. The output of the combined tannery interest was about four 
thousand sides of sole leather daily, requiring two thousand hides, and using about 
one hundred thousand cords of bark per year. The firm of Horton, Crary & Co. had 
acquired a very large export trade, which in 1888, to Europe alone, comprised 
twenty-four and three-fourths per cent, of all the leather which went out of the port 
of New York. The organization of the United States Leather Company, and several 
other companies in the State of Pennsylvania, wrought a great change in the tanning 
business. Mr. Crary and his associates took an active part in bringing about the 
change, and sold out all of their tanning properties to these corporations. The di- 
rect per-sonal control of the men who organized and operated these vast enterprises 
ceased, and their influence and power was exercised only as officers of a corpora- 
tion. 

In 1890 Mr. Crary took an active part in the organization of The Binghamton 
Trust Company, doing business at Binghamton, N. Y., and was, until his death, its 
vice-president, and an active member of the board of directors. He was also a 
member of the board of directors of the City Hospital (the private corporation first 
organized), president of the board of trustees of the Tabernacle M. E. church, and a 
member of the board of directors of the Y. M. C. A. 

His success was not a business success alone, but his influence as a sober, upright 
and industrious business man was felt far and near. Over the young men connected 
with him in business, in his employ, or associated with himself and family, Mr. 
Crary's influence for good was such as few men are able to exert. The success 
which he attained as a business man among his fellows was unquestionably to 
some extent the result of good fortune, but this was always met by an intelli- 
gence, power of organization, self reliance, energy and ability, which made the most 
of fortune's favors, gathered them in, and made them useful to himself and to his 
fellows. 

Mr. and Mrs. Crary had five children born to them, all of whom are living. The 
eldest daughter, Mrs. J. C. Young, resides at Liberty, N. Y. The eldest son, 
Thomas B. , married and resides in the city of Binghamton. The other son, Calvert, 



840 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

who prior to the change was a member of the firm of Walter Horton & Co., at 107 
South street, Boston, married, and still remains in Boston, in the employ of the 
United States Leather Co. One daughter, Grace, married to F. H. Haskins, resides 
in the city of Binghamton ; and the youngest daughter, Mary, married Harold 
Moore, a Methodist minister, Mr. Crary and his wife were members of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal church. Their influence and their means have been widely felt in 
church interests and church charities, both at home and abroad, while their home 
itself was an inspiration and a benediction to all who were so happy as to fall within 
the circle of its influence. 



Weed, Marshall H., was prominently identified with the business history of Bing- 
hamton for a period of more than twenty years. He came to our village from Litch- 
field, Coan., in which locality he was born in 1808, and started a tannery below the 
Rockbottom dam on the north side of the Susquehanna river on the site more recent- 
ly known as the Wilkinson tannery. In the course of a year or two he formed a 
partnership with Colonel Abbott, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work, 
which relation was maintained until about 1850, when Mr. Weed withdrew from the 
firm and started a steam power tannery on a portion of the site now occupied by the 
extensive works of J. B. Weed & Co. Originally Mr. Weed's tannery lot was sixty 
feet wide and extended from Susquehanna street south to the canal ; the present 
tannery plant now operated by Mr. Weed's sons covers about eight acres of land, 
and is one of the most valuable properties in Broome county. The first tannery 
building was erected at a cost of $900; the present finishing building of J. B. Weed 
& Co. probably cost fifty times that sum. Mr. Weed conducted the business until 
1860, when he was succeeded by his sons, and the firm of J. B. Weed & Co., as now 
known, was then established. Marshall H. Weed died in 1866. James B. Weed was 
born in Connecticut in 1838, while his brother, Frederick M. Weed, is a native of 
Binghamton. Both were educated in our village schools, chiefly in the famous Bing- 
hamton Academy. They became partners, successors to their father, in 1860, and 
from that to the present time have been important factors in the history of the city. 
Their tannery on Susquehanna street furnishes employment to about 200 men, and 
in their works at Great Bend are about 100 employees. The total number of their 
employees, in both tanneries, and in their lumbering enterprises in Pennsylvania, 
which are incidental to the general business, aggregates about 500 men. James B. 
Weed was a member of the board of water commissioners from June 1, 1874, to Jan- 
uary, 1890, and trea.surer of the board from June 8, 1874, to January 2, 1890. Fred. 
M. Weed was alderman of the First ward from February, 1875, to February, 1878. 



Swink, Robert L., alderman of the Sixth ward and president of the Common Coun- 
cil, was born at Tammersville, Pa., March 6, 1854. and was the eldest of five children 
of Reuben Swink, who was killed by accident in a saw mill. As a boy Robert was 
sent to the public school of his native town, but after the death of his father it fell to 
him to find employment and thus assist his mother in keeping the family together. 
He worked as a farm hand until he was twenty-five years old and then was employed 
nearly five years as clerk in a grocery store in Gravity, Pa. He was appointed post- 
master of that village under Mr. Cleveland's first administration. Two years later 




EDWARD F. JONES. 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 841 

he became proprietor of a store at South Canaan, Pa., and was also village postmas- 
ter at that place. After two years in business he sold out, and in 1891 came to this 
city, where he was employed in the wholesale department of C. A. Weed & Co.'s 
clothing bouse. He remained with the firm until the fall of 1898, when he succeeded 
to the business formerly carried on by Mr. Fagan at the south end of the Rockbottom 
bridge. Mr. Swink is one of Binghamton's active business men. and takes an ear- 
nest interest in the political affairs of the city. In Pennsylvania he held several 
offices of minor importance, but in this city didnot aspire to an elective office until his 
successful candidacy for alderman in the fall of 1897. At the annual meeting in 1899 
Mr. Swink was elected president of the Council, and in that position has served with 
credit to his party and the city. Of course Mr. Swink is a firm Democrat. On Jan- 
uary 29, 1875, Robert L. Swink was married to Elizabeth Webster; they have five 
children. 



Jones, Edward Franc. 

Born in Utica, N. Y., June 3d, 1838. 

Parents Lorenzo Baldwin Jones and Sophronia Chapman Jones. 

A direct descendant from Lewis and Ann Jones, Roxbury, Mass., 1640. 

Captain Josiah Jones, of Weston, Mass., in Colonial Wars, against the French, 
1690. 

Captain Nathaniel Jones. 

Deacon Nathaniel Jones. 

Phineas Jones, who enlisted as a private four times in the Revolutionary War, 

His father, Lorenzo Baldwin Jones, no notable incidents in life. Born Feb. 18. 
1794. Died Jan. 13, 1877. 

His mother, Sophronia Chapman, born July 20, 1800, died Jan. 29, 1883. Was de- 
scended from William Chapman, New London, Ct., 1657, The line runs, 

William Chapman, John Chapman, John Chapman, Jr., Abner Chapman, Isham 
Chapman, born Oct. 5, 1758, died 1824. 

Through his maternal grandmother he is descended from Rev. Thomas Hooker, 
founder of Hartford, Ct. 

When about four years of age his family moved from Utica to Norwich, Ct., where, 
at the age of five years, he remembers being present at the laymg of the corner stone 
of the LTncas Monument, where Gen. Jackson was present. Nov. 18, 1835, he well re- 
members seeing the president and directors of the Norwich & Worcester R. R. com- 
mence the building of the road with some very fancy pickaxes and shovels. 

Subsequently the family moved to Leicester, Mass., where he attended the district 
school and completed his school education with a few terms at Leicester Academy. 

At the age of sixteen he went to Boston, as a boy in a wholesale dry goods store 
on Milk street, where he received $50.00 for his first year's service. 

On his arrival in Boston he was met at the depot on Beach St. by an older brother, 
and they, taking hold of each end of their little trunk, proceeded through Boylston 
street to the Corner of the Common, and thence diagonally across the Common, around 
the State House to a boarding place in the rear of the reservoir. Most of the time, 
excepting a brief space in Albany, was spent in clerkships in Boston, up to 1850. Al- 
though in the spring of 1847, being out of employment, he thought to seek his for- 



842 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

tune in the West Indies. Taking passage in a brig for Barbadoes, he safely arrived 
there, but finding no employment, went on down to Trinidad, thence to Turk's Isl- 
and, and back to Boston, without special incident. 

In the year 1850 he married Sarah Antoinette Tarbell, daughter of Luther Tarbell, 
of Pepperell, Mass., where'for several years he kept a country store. 

He was a private, Lieutenant and Captain of the Prescott Guards, named after 
Colonel Prescott, the hero of Bunker Hill, whose residence was in Pepperell. He 
was subsequently elected Major, afterward Colonel of the famous Sixth Mass. Regi- 
ment, which, under his command, was the first Regiment in the country to respond 
to the call of President Lincoln for 75,000 men. The Regiment passed through New 
York and Pennsylvania in advance of the N. Y. and Penna. troops, were attacked 
by a mob in Baltimore, arrived in Washington on the evening of April 19th, 1861, 
where the Regiment was met at the station by President Lincoln, who, taking Col. 
Jones by the hand, said, " If you had not arrived to-night, we should have been in 
the hands of the rebels before morning." 

Colonel Jones has been sometimes criticised for not avenging the death of his 
comrades and fighting it out with the mob in Baltimore, which he and his command 
were strongly inclined to do. On this subject. General Jones, in an interview, pub- 
lished some years since, said, " the most important and momentous epoch in my life- 
time was when, after the attack in Baltimore, officers and men gathered around me 
and begged that they might, then and there, avenge the death of their comrades. At 
that moment, when every instinct of manhood impelled me to lead where all would 
follow, the line was sharply drawn between desire and duty, by a telegram from 
General Scott, saying, ' Let nothing delay you.' By my side stood William Pres- 
cott Smith, Superintendent of the Baltimore & Ohio R. R., who appealed, 'For 
God's sake. Colonel, give orders to move, or it will be too late ; the track is now being 
torn up.' The surging crowd of thousands of maniacs, as far as the eye could reach, 
and so dense that their very bodies blocked the wheels of our cars, yelled defiance. 
Every impulse bade me accept the challenge, but I remembered that obedience to 
orders was a soldier's first duty." 

Although not realized at the moment, the fate of a Nation hung trembling in the 
balance. 

Of this occasion, the Rev. Dr. Babbidge, who was chaplain of the Regiment, in an 
interview some thirty years after the incident says, " I wish to speak of the bravery, 
judgment and skill which Colonel Jones exhibited in the memorable passage through 
Baltimore. Unused as I was, and indeed, all our soldiers were, to the rough usage 
of actual warfare, it would not have been strange if something had happened which 
would have. called down upon us the hatred of that vast and murderous mob who 
were waiting for the slightest excuse to tear us limb from limb. Through all the ex- 
citement Colonel Jones was the cool, calm and collected gentleman, respected by his 
men. who had confidence in their commanding officer, who was giving his orders 
without haste or excitement and showing a wonderful executive ability which few 
men have on such occasions. I hope to some time see appropriate mention made of 
his brave and noble conduct on that day, for I think sufficient notice has never been 
made." 

The capital was in imminent peril, and the situation was fully realized by the 
President and Cabinet, as well as General Scott. This is the only instance where 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 843 

the President of the United States and a portion of his Cabinet left their official 
domiciles to extend a welcome. 

It is conceded that the non-arrival of the Sixth Regiment that night would have re- 
sulted in the occupancy of Washington by the confederates. That their possession 
of the capital would undoubtedly have brought recognition from several European 
Governments, and that all of the early battles of the war would have been fought 
north instead of south of the Potomac, and that such an advantage would have been 
gained by the confederacy as to have given success to secession. 

The world has but a faint conception of the critical condition of the affairs of this 
conntry at the time, but history is doing its work. Truth is becoming more and 
more fully revealed. 

The Regiment guarded the capital for a few days, until reinforcements arrived, 
when it was stationed at the Relay House, junction of the Baltimore & Ohio R. R., 
for the rest of its three months terra of service, which expired soon after the battle 
of Bull Run. 

At this critical moment the Government could not replace it, and the safety of Bal- 
timore and Washington demanded that the post should not be abandoned. It will 
be remembered that the Regiment left its home at a moment's call, and it was natural 
that they should be anxious to return. 

The Government asked the Regiment to stay until it could be relieved. Colonel 
Jones made a patriotic appeal to his command, admitting to them that they were 
free to go at the expiration of their enlistment, but he as.sured them that no matter 
what the Regiment did, he should stay on that hill until relieved. The result was a 
unanimous determination to stay, which they did for about a month longer. 

Colonel Jones immediately applied to Gov. Andrew for authority to recruit another 
Regiment. This he was successful in doing, and as a mark of confidence, Governor 
Andrew authorized him to appoint every commissioned officer in the Regiment. 
This was the 26th Mass. Regt., which was attached to General Butler's New Eng- 
land division, organized for the purpose of capturing New Orleans. The Regiment, 
with other troops occupied Ship Island for several months. After the taking of New 
Orleans, Colonel Jones was in command at Forts Jackson and St. Philip, until re- 
lieved on sick feave. 

After partially recovering from a severe and protracted illness and while conva- 
lescing, he was for a long time employed in recruiting, organizing and drilling Mass. 
Regiments. 

He was afterward brevetted Brigadier General of Volunteers. 

On May 7, 1863, he married Susan Annie Brown, of Boston. 

He was a member of the House of Representatives of the State of Massachusetts 
for the session of 1865. 

In October, 1865, he removed from his home in Pepperell, Mass., to Binghamton, 
N. Y. , where he established the Jones Scale Works, which he has successfully con- 
ducted since that time, (34 years). Through his business relations he became known 
all over the world as " Jones of Binghamton " and " Jones He Pays the Freight," be- 
ing the author of the phrase "He Pays the Freight," which has since passed into 
our language, and is generally used to express liabilities of every description. 

He has ever been prominent in all charitable works in his locality. The only mu- 



844 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

nicipal offices he ever held was that of Police Commissioner and President of the Board 
of Park Commissioners. 

In politics up to 1872, he was a Republican. He took a prominent part in the 
Greeley movement, and in that year was a delegate to the Cincinnati Convention, 
and took a very active part in the Greeley campaign. In 1872 and in 1874 he was a 
candidate for Congress, and of course defeated, as his district was overwhelmingly 
Republican. 

In 1885 he was elected Lieutenant Governor of the State of New York for the term 
of three years, and in 1888 he was re-elected for a second term, receiving a larger 
popular vote than had ever been cast for any competing candidate for a State office. 

At the close of his official career he received the universal commendation of having 
served faithfully the people of the State. 

For many years his eyesight has been gradually failing, still he continues at the 
head of his large and prosperous business. 

He is a member of the Order of Founders and Patriots of America, Society of 
Colonial Wars, Sons of the American Revolution, the Loyal Legion, a 83° Scottish 
Rite Mason, I. O. O. F., the Army and Navy Club, Washington, D. C, Ancient and 
Honorable Artillery Co., Boston, and several social clubs. 



Wells, John Stuart, whose name is variously mentioned in the pages of this volume 
as John S. Wells, J. Stuart Wells and Col. Wells, was born in Kirkwood, June 30, 
1822. He was the son of Chester and Polly (Slyter) Wells, and the third of their five 
children. Chester Wells came to this county from Norwich, Conn., in 1812, when he 
was eighteen years old, and was employed by a Mr. Burr, a miller and bridge 
builder. He eventually became a farmer and trader and did much business in the 
village, to which place he removed in 1824 and made his home where his son, Col. 
Wells, now lives. His store was in the building which still stands at the southeast 
corner of Main and Front streets. In 1827 Chester Wells, in company with Wash- 
ington and Franklin Whitney, went to Steuben county, where they were merchants, 
millers and lumbermen. Mr. Wells died in that locality in October, 1828. His 
children were Gertrude, Caroline, John Stuart, Chester and Margaret Wells. 

J. Stuart Wells was six years old at the time of his father's death, and after that 
event he was taken to Marathon and brought up in the family of his uncle, William 
Church, a farmer. Much of his young life was spent in farm work and in attending 
district school. His early associations were with Marathon families, and the pleas- 
ant memories of that period can never be forgotten. It was this in part that im- 
pelled Col. Wells to present the Peck Public Library with $1,000 in cash besides an 
annual gift of $125. 

In the winter of 1839-40, then being seventeen years old, young Wells determined 
to quit farming and return to Binghamton and learn the carpenter's trade, and, if 
possible, to attend school. He informed his uncle of his plans, which were not op- 
posed, and in a few days set out on foot, walking the entire distance of thirty miles 
on a cold winter day. He reached his mother's house (the site of Col. Wells' resi- 
dence) after dark, the most completely tired out boy who ever walked into Bingham- 
ton. After working out and attending school two winters and one summer, young 
Wells learned the carpenter's trade with William Ogden, working under him two 




JOHN STUART WbLLS. 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 845 

years, and later on one year with John Lewis. In 1844 he went to New York and 
worked for four years as journeyman, but in the spring of 1848 he returned to Bing- 
hamton and became partner with Mr. Lewis in contracting and building. A year 
later Mr. Wells decided to do business alone, hence the firm was dissolved. From 
that time to the present Col. Wells has been as closely identified with the growth and 
prosperity of Binghamton as any living man, and during that period of years he 
probably erected more substantial buildings than any other contractor or firm of 
builders. Let us note briefly, as a matter of historic interest, a few of the many 
structures which Col. Wells has built: His first work of consequence was the erec- 
tion of the Erie depot at Susquehanna in 1848, when he and John Lewis were part- 
ners; Christ church edifice he built in 1853; the Oak street brick school house in 
1854; the City National bank building and the Abel Bennett (originally McKenzie's) 
residence in 1855; the county court house (recently burned) and the large J. B. Lewis 
store in 1856; St. Joseph's convent in 1860; St. Patrick's church in 1868; and also the 
First National Bank building, the Congregational church, the Sampson building, the 
county clerk's office, and at least a score of other large structures had we space to 
mention them at length. 

In 1870 Col. Wells retired from active work as a contracting builder, yet he has by 
no means been out of business. In 1856 the firm of Wells & Brigham started a brick- 
yard west of the village. It is still in successful operation. Mr. Wells was one of 
the organizers of the Binghamton Oil Refining Company, and is still connected with 
it. The present firm of Shapley & Wells was formed in 1870. This active business 
life has been rewarded with a deserved competency, while Col. Wells himself enjoys 
the confidence and respect of all our people. He has also been an active factor in 
the affairs bolh of the village and city, and a glance at the several chapters of this 
work will disclose his connection with our political history ; was trustee in 1853, '54 
and '56; was a member of the old fire department and foreman of Rescue No. 3; 
was supervisor in 1855; village president in 1860, and mayor of the city in 1883. It 
is just such men as Stuart Wells who build up prosperous cities. In politics he is a 
firm Democrat, but had his fortunes been cast with the Republican party, the highest 
political honors in the county would have been awarded him. 

On October 18, 1848, John Stuart Wells married Hannah Barnes, a native of Staten 
Island. They have no children. 



Moore, William, our trustworthy and competent chief of police, has been a resi- 
dent of Binghamton, village and city, since 1851, having come herewith his widowed 
mother and two brothers from his native place. Limerick, Ireland, when only two 
years old. He was born July 4, 1849. In youth he attended St. James' Parochial 
School, and at the early age of thirteen years, he began work at shoeniaking with 
Lester Bros , and soon afterward went into the factory of Stone & Knight, where he 
was employed many years. In 1864 he went south and worked with a railroad con- 
struction corps at Norfolk, Va., about one year. In 1865 he returned north and re- 
sumed work in the factory, where he remained until 1876, when he was appointed 
patrolman on the city police force. At that time all policemen were appointed by 
the Common Council, and politics was a controlling factor in retaining a place on the 
police force. In February, 1879, for political reasons only, Mr. Moore was dropped 



846 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

from the force, but about that time his many friends in the city asked that he be 
appointed to a keepership in Sing Sing prison, under Warden Davis, which was ac- 
cordingly done. In 1881 our city police commission was established, and in Febru- 
ary of the same year he was reappointed to the force. He was always faithful to 
every duty, and an ever-watchful guardian of our merchants' interests and property, 
therefore in 1888 he was detailed as roundsman. In the next year was appointed 
assistant chief and served la that capacity until 1899, when he was elected chief of 
police. Further than has been stated. Chief Moore's career, whether as patrolman, 
roundsman, assistant chief or in chief command of our city police force, no comment 
by the writer can add one whit to his honor or to the confidence reposed in him by 
our people. He is in all respects a capable officer, alert to every duty and equal to 
every emergency. No man can do more than this. Mr. Moore's wife, with whom 
he married November 8, 1883, was Ellen Ti'odden. Of this marriage four children 
have been born, three of whom are now living. 



Roberson, Alonzo, was one of the foremost business men of this city many years, 
and was a leading manufacturer in .southern New York. In 1853 when he first came 
here he found work in the woods, cutting timber at $1.12 per day. A little later on 
he worked at his trade, as carpenter, but afterward was an employee in the old 
Marsh & Gilbert planing mill on Chenango street rand after the firm suspended busi- 
ness he finished all work then on hand. Soon afterward Mr. Roberson purchased 
the property, re-established the business and continued it with gratifying success un- 
til 1892,whenhebuiltan entirely new, larger and more modern planing mill, sash, door 
and blind factory on the western border of the city. In 1882 Alonzo Roberson, jr., 
became partner with his father, and has continued the business since the death of 
the latter in the spring of 1899. Alonzo Roberson was known in city industrial cir- 
cles as a straightforward, successful business man, ever active in his own interests, 
yet not unmindful of the obligations of every citizen to the public welfare. In 1876, 
'77 and again in 1884 he was elected alderman, and unquestionably he might have 
been chosen to the mayoralty had he consented to accept the nomination frequently 
urged upon him. But this honor he steadfastly declined, having no ambition for 
political preferment. At the time of his death Mr. Roberson was vice-president of 
the People's Bank, and otherwise was identified with the best interests of the city. 
He was twice married, his first wife being Lydia Titus, whom he married February 
10, 1853, and by whom he had three children, only one of whom is now living. His 
second wife, whom he married September 13, 1870, was Sarah Eliza, daughter of 
Alfred and Mary A. Dunk. Alonzo Roberson, jr., was born in Binghamton, Nov. 
16, 1861. He was educated in the city schools, and at the age of 16 years began 
work in connection with his father's business. At the age of 21 he became partner 
with his father, and the firm name of A. Roberson & Son still stands, although the 
senior partner died in the spring of 1899. Since that time the son has conducted the 
business alone. In local trade circles Alonzo Roberson, jr., is known as an energetic 
young business man, fully competent to successfully operate a factory that furnishes 
employment to 200 wage earners. Mr. Roberson is a member of the Binghamton 
and Dobson clubs and of Protection Hose Company. His wife, whom he married in 
December, 1888, was Margaret, daughter of Andrew Hayes, of this city. 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 847 

Drass, Stephen B.— Binghamton was a village of less than eight thousand inhab- 
itants when Stephen B. Drass, a native of Germany, moved here from Buffalo in 
1862. Mr. Drass was a carpenter by trade and was the principal worker on the • 
First Presbyterian church, built in 1860-62, and on the Inebriate asylum, now the 
State Hospital for the Insane. He started in active business for himself as con- 
tractor and builder in 1869 and now has one of the most extensive building concerns 
in the city, having had at times from eighty to ninety employees. Scores of factories 
and blocks and many residences in all parts of the city, particularly on Front and 
Main streets, attest the skill of Mr. Drass as a builder. Mr. Drass is identified with 
many interests outside of business, has always been a firm Republican ; is an Odd 
Fellow; a member of four Masonic bodies; was chief engineer of the Fire Depart- 
ment in 1876-7; has held numerous firemanic offices— such as those of assistant chief 
and foreman of companies — and is now an active member of Fountain Hose No. 4 
Fire Company. 



Hirschmann, Sigmund J., is one of Binghamton's oldest representative business 
men. In 1858, with his oldest brother, Frederick, he opened a small yet well stocked 
dry goods store on the south side of Court street, between Franklin (now Washing- 
ton) and Water streets. In that year the firm style of " Hirschmann Bros. & Co." 
was first known to the trade in the village; and it has continued practically un- 
changed from that to the present time, although during the long period of more than 
forty years the business of the firm has constantly enlarged until a .single department 
of the present establishment would more than contain the entire stock of 1858. At 
the end of about nine months the firm removed from its original location to the 
southwest corner of Court and Water streets, where now stands the commonly 
known "Arbor Hotel" building. In that location the firm of Hirschmann Bros. & 
Co. (Sigmund J. and Frederick Hirschmann and E. H. Dormaul) did business six 
and one-half years. In 1861 the junior partner removed to Elmira, and the style was 
changed to Hirschmann Bros. In 1S65 the stock was moved to Nos. 15 and 17 Court 
street, a part of the present place of business of the firm. In 1886 the capacity of 
the store was more than doubled by the purchase of the adjoining building (Nos 11 
and 13 Court street, previously occupied by D. M. & E. G. Halbut), to which an ad- 
dition was made soon afterward. Still another addition was made in 1892, by the 
erection of a carpet room 30 x 120 feet in size. The firm at present occupies 28,000 
square feet of floor space, with four street numbers— 11, 13, 15 and 17 Court street- 
comprising unquestionably one of the largest dry goods houses in Southern New 
York. Frederick Hirschmann withdrew from the firm in 1872, and was succeeded 
by Ludwig Hirschmann, who died in Germany in February, 1896. But notwith- 
standing the changes in the personnel of the firm, the partnership name of Hirsch- 
mann Bros, still stands and represents one of the best mercantile interests in the 
city. Sigmund J. Hirschmann, founder in fact and the ever active business man- 
ager of the firm of Hirschmann Bros., was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 15, 1837. 
During his boyhood, following the custom of his country, he was apprenticed to a 
mercantile and commercial house, and thus became educated to business pursuits, 
particularly merchandising and bookkeeping. The education thus acquired was the 
foundation of Mr. Hirschmann's subsequent success in business life, while his actual 



848 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

cash capital comprised a few hundred dollars saved during less than five years' clerk 
ship in mercantile houses in Sj^racuse and New York. In 1854 Mr. Hirschraann 
came to the United States, and about the same time his brother Frederick also came. 
Sigmund worked as clerk one and one-half years in Syracuse, and two and one-half 
years in New York city. In 1858 he and his brother joined their capital, came to 
Binghamton and started in business on Court street, as has been mentioned in a pre- 
ceding paragraph. Such, in brief, is the record of an active business life in Bing- 
hamton, and one which has been rewarded with success. The controlling factors in 
the results thus achieved have been industry, straightforward honesty and temperate 
habits. The writer well remembers Mr. Hirschmann's store away back in the early 
sixties, when the sign of the bee-hive occupied a conspicuous place over the entrance. 
The sign was removed many years ago, but industry has ever been the watchword 
of the house. While constantly occupied with the affairs of business Mr. Hirsch- 
mann has nevertheless taken an earnest interest in the growth of the city, and is 
known as a liberal, public spirited citizen. He was a director of the Gas Company 
previous to its recent sale ; has been a director of the Susquehanna Valley Bank 
more than twenty years, and of the Binghamton Savings Bank since the death of 
Mr. Chapman, whom he succeeded. On October 13, 1865, Sigmund J. Hirschmann 
married Pauline Markstein of Mobile, Ala. Seymour and Edith Hirschmann are the 
children of this marriage. 

Scott, Marcus Williamson,' present president and business manager of the Herald 
Publishing Company, has been a factor in Binghamton history since 1873, his most 
valuable service during that period having been in connection with the city educa- 
tional system, in the capacity first, of principal, then as superintendent, and latterly 
as member of the board of education, with brief intervals, covering a period of twen- 
ty-seven years. 

Mr. Scott is a native of Greene, Chenango county, the son of Garry V. and Abi- 
gail (Williamsoj) Scott, and the youngest but one of their five children. Garry V. 
Scott was a native of Connecticut and came with his father to Chenango county in 
1815, hence the family were pioneers in that region. Garry Scott married Abigail 
Williamson (a native of Westchester county, N. Y.,) and settled in Greene, where he 
was a farmer. In 1847 he removed with his family to the town of Chenango (now 
Fenton), locating at North Fenton, where he afterward lived and died. Marcus 
spent his young life on the farm, working during the summer months and attending 
district school in the winter. He was educated chiefly at the Susquehanna Seminary 
and Madison University. When about twenty-one years old he began teaching 
school, but after a short time he went to Madison, Wis., where he took a commercial 
course of instruction, and thence removed to Kansas. 

In 1859, during the prevalence of the "gold fever" in the western territory, Mr. 
Scott joined a mining expedition to Pike's Peak, and in his journeyings passed over 
the site of the now splendid city of Denver, Col., when not a single habitation 
marked the spot. The mining project, however, did not prove profitable to the am- 
bitious prospectors, therefore at the end of the summer months the party returned 

• This biography was written at Mr. Scott's request a few days previous to his departure for 
California, early in January. All Binghamton was shocked to hear of his sudden death, March 
9, 1900. 



'^f^"'"j 




MARCUS W. SCOTT. 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 849 

east, to Manhattan, Kansas, where young Scott soon afterward was employed as 
deputy postmaster and also as deputy clerk of the U. S. Court. However, in the 
course of a few months these positions were resigned and he returned home and 
taught district school three winters, devoting his time to farm work during the grow- 
ing seasons Having determined to engage in teaching as a permanent occupation, 
he went to Newark, N. J., where he was employed as teacher and principal for a 
period of seven years, but in 1872, with a rich experience in his chosen avocation, 
Mr. Scott came to Binghamton and was appointed principal of the Carroll Street 
School. While here he became thoroughly acquainted throughout the city, while his 
position likewise gave him an extended acquaintance in the county generally. In 
the summer of 1876 he was the successful candidate for the county clerkship and was 
elected at the polls in November following ; and at the expiration of his first term of 
office he was renominated by acclamation and was re-elected for a second term, 
serving in all six years. But before the end of his last term the board of education 
had need of a competent superintendent of public schools to undertake the work of 
re-establishing and placing upon a secure basis the city school system which had be- 
come seriously disorganized by the unfortunate dissensions of preceding years. In 
this emergency the board turned to Mr. Scott (a former member of the board, as the 
civil list shows,) and without a dissenting voice offered him the plaoe. 

Marcus W. Scott was appointed to the superintendency August 7, 1882, and served 
in that capacity until June 19, 1896, a period of almost fourteen years, and one in 
which many advances were made in our educational system. During this period the 
population of the city was more than doubled, necessitating a corresponding increase 
in the capacity of the schools, yet all this work was accomplished by the board of 
education under the advice and direction of the superintendent, while the great ex- 
pense consequent upon the numerous enlargements of school buildings was annually 
paid without the issue of a single bond. Indeed, during this period the indebtedness 
incurred by the erecting of the high school building, amounting to about $100,000, 
was fully paid, and when Superintendent Scott was retired from office in 1896 the 
school property of the cit}?^ was of more than five-fold greater value than when he 
accepted the office in 1882, yet at the end of his service not a dollar of bonded in 
debtedness was left to embarrass the successor superintendent or the next board of 
education. During the same period, too, the standard of efficiency of our system 
was greatly advanced, beginning with a thorough reorganization in 1882 and gradu- 
ally and surely progressing with each succeeding year until the Binghamton public 
schools ranked with the foremost educational institutions of the State and frequently 
were referred to in other States by reason of their advanced standard. 

Throughout this entire period of constant progress Superintendent Scott labored 
earnestly and incessantly for the welfare of the schools and frequently made per- 
sonal sacrifices for their good. His capacity and worth were recognized both at 
home and throughout the State and his counsel and advice were often sought in be- 
half of schools in other localities. At the time of his retirement from office Mr. 
Scott was president of the council of State School Superintendents, the highest and 
most influential educational body in the State. 

Frequently during his incumbency of the office of superintendent Mr. vScott felt 
impelled to resign, thinking that perhaps a change in the head of the school system 
would still further tend to promote the cause of education in the city ; but as fre- 
51 



850 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

quently as the suggestion of his retirement was made, so often were the strongest 
influences of the city brought to oppose it. At least twice his resignation was placed 
before the board, but yielding to the persuasions of the commissioners and a multi- 
tude of friends outside the board, he consented to continue in office. At length, 
however, subtle political influences — intrigues as unwelcome as they were unworthy 
— worked their way into the councils of the board of education and began breeding 
mischief, with final result in the retirement of the superintendent without warrant 
and without excuse. Gladly indeed the superintendent would have resigned his 
office; his record was clean, honorable and in all respects worthy ; but he was now 
secretly attacked by a political force that could not control his action in relation to 
the schools, hence he must be overthrown and deposed to satisfy the greed of a jeal- 
ous, envious clique. Their evil end was accomplished, and on June 19, 1896, Mr. 
Scott was retired from the superintendency ; but the people of the city never lost con- 
fidence in the integrity of their faithful servant, as has been shown in unmistakable 
terms whenever opportunity has been presented. In September following his retire- 
ment from the office he had filled so long and so well he was elected school commis- 
sioner to serve in the councils of the board of education ; and in the following year 
he was appointed to the same office by Mayor De Witt, to serve a term of six years. 

In April, 1898, on the reorganization of the Herald Publishing Company, Mr. 
Scott was elected president of the company and business manager of the publica- 
tions; and in truth it may be said that while the Herald was a prosperous paper un- 
der the old management its greatest success has been achieved under the new and 
its present control. 

Mr. Scott has been a member of the M. E. Church more than twenty years, and 
was chorister in the Centenary Church four years. He is now and for several years 
has been one of the officiary of the Chenango Street M. E. Church. In 1892 he was 
the lay delegate of the Wyoming conference to the General conference of the M. E. 
Church held in Omaha, Neb. 

Mr. Scott has been twice married. His first wife, whom he married July 20, 1875, 
was Myrtis J. Corbett of Corbettsville, in the town of Conklin. The children of this 
marriage were Louie E. (wife of Willard Dibble), Anna May, George M. and Thomas 
C. Scott. His wife died May 9, 1891, and on July 19, 1894, Mr. Scott married Jessie 
G.. daughter of George F. and Martha M. Ells, of this city. 



Stevens, Urbane S., was born at Elk Lake, Susquehanna county. Pa., May 29, 
1841, and was the youngest of seven children of Milton and Cynthia (Smith) Stevens. 
In the spring of 1846 Milton Stevens and his family came to Broome county, settling 
in the town of Chenango (about ten miles north of Binghamton), where both he and 
his wife afterward lived and died. Urbane lived at home on the farm until he was 
twenty-one years old, and received his early education in the district school at Castle 
Creek. In July, 1862, he enlisted in Co. D, 109th N. Y. Vols., and was in the service 
with that regiment two and one-half years. The story of Comrade Stevens' army 
life is told in the history of the regiment itself up to July 30, 1864, when his right 
arm was left on the bloody battlefield of Petersburg, Va. During the period of his 
service Mr. Stevens was wounded twice; first in the furious charge of the 109th at 
Petersburg on June 17, 1864, when scores of loyal Broome county boys laid dov/n 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 851 

their lives for their country. On this occasion Co. D was lying on the earth dodg- 
ing a shower of rebel bullets, and while in that position a shell passed close 'to the 
ground, cutting the uniform clean from Mr. Stevens' back and scraping the skin as 
well m Its passage. The projectile which wounded Comrade Stevens also killed four 
others, three on one side and one on the other, in its murderous course. This wound 
while not dangerous, was exceedingly annoying and for several weeks confined its 
victim to the hospital. When recovered Mr. Stevens immediately returned to his 
company, and soon afterward, on July 30, in the awful Mine Explosion engagement 
before Petersburg, he lost his right arm. In the early part of 1865 he was discharged 
for disabilities and returned home. Soon afterward, however, Mr. Stevens was ap- 
pointed to a position in the quartermaster's department and lived in Washington 
nearly two years. He then came to Binghamton and for about two years was em- 
ployed m xNoyes comb factory. In 1868 Urbane and David W. Stevens and Morris 
P. Blair purchased the Gilmore stables in rear of • Firemen's Hall. Later years wit- 
nessed many changes in the personnel of the partnership, but .since 1868 U. S. Stevens 
has been directly connected with the livery business in' this city. The present livery 
firm of Stevens & Seaman was formed in 1885, and has continued to the present 
time. In 1887 the firm began importing western horses for sale in the markets of 
the east; and since that time has brought to Binghamton more than 1,000 head of 
stock. Urbane S. Stevens has for many years been one of the reliable Republicans 
of Broome county He was alderman of his ward in 1890 and 1891. and was sheriff 
of the county from 1894 to 1897. On February 1. 1870, Mr. Stevens was married to 
Mary A., daughter of Melzer and Lucy Harrington of Binghamton, but formerly of 
Chenango county. Of this marriage three children have been born: Gertrude Ur- 
bane S., jr. (of the 7th Battery, U. S. Vols, in the war with Spain), and Edith 
Stevens. 



Evans, Edwin, steward of the Binghamton State Hospital since 1880, and a life- 
long resident of Binghamton, was born in Binghamton, March 16. 1840. He is the 
son and youngest child of the late Horatio Evans, who was one of the important 
early factors in local history, and was, withal, one of our most upright and respected 
citizens for three-quarters of a century. Reminiscences of the pioneer element of 
the Evans family will be found in another department of the work. Edwin (he is 
better known among our people as Captain Evans) was educated in the village pub- 
lie schools and also in the Binghamton Academy, and was just prepared for active 
business life at the outbreak of the war of 1861-5. In July, 1862, he enlisted as pri- 
vate in Co. D, 109th Vol. Inf , and served with that notable regiment throughout the 
term of its enlistment ; not, however, as private, for he was promoted to the com- 
mand of his company, having fairly won a captain's commission, as the history of 
the 109th will show. After the war Capt. Evans engaged in business in Wellsburg' 
about two years, after which, in company with his brother, John Evans, civil engi- 
neer and contractor, he engaged in railroad construction work about nine years. In 
1870 he became partner with Rodney A. Ford, under the firm name of Ford & 
Evans, in the sale of D. & H. coal in this city, and also carried on an extensive busi- 
ness in selling the company's product generally in this State and New England. In 
1880, when the old Inebriate Asylum was converted by the State into an asylum for 



852 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

chronic insane, Capt. Evans was appointed steward of the institution, and has served 
in that capacity to the present time. In this way, and in many others as well, has 
the Captain been a factor in city history. As a soldier he was always ready for duty, 
and as a public servant of the State he has been faithful to every trust, hence enjoys 
the confidence of all our people. For many years he was prominently connected 
with the Church of the Good Shepard. Capt. Evans' wife, whom he married in De- 
cember, 1865, was Sarah D., daughter of William Moore, one of Kirkwood's respected 
early settlers. John Edwin and Horatio Evans are the children of this marriage. 

Worden, David M. — From Pennsylvania have come many of Binghamton's active 
business men, one of whom is Mr. David M. Worden. He was born near Wilkes- 
barre and came to Binghamton in 1863 when he entered the Broome County bank, 
remaining there four years. After spending two years in New York City he re- 
turned in the spring of 1869 to engage with the Chenango Valley Savings Bank 
where he was employed nine years. Mr. Worden has been in commercial life since 
1891 when he left the office of City Treasurer, having served three years. He had 
previously served in that capacity from 1871 to 1876. The Tabernacle Methodist 
Church has his name on the roll of its charter members, but since residing on the 
east side of the Chenango river, he has been identified with the Centenary Church 
and has been its treasurer for a number of years. Mr. Worden is a graduate of the 
New York Conference Seminary formerly at Charlottesville, Schoharie count\\ 



Darling, Reeves, city treasurer, was born in the town of Tusten, Sullivan county, 
N. Y., June 17, 18G1, and was the .son of William and Susan Darling. His father 
was a farmer and lumberman, to which occupation Reeves gave his attention after 
having acquired a good common school education. In the spring of 1884 he came to 
Binghamton, where three of his brothers had preceded him, and became connected 
with the meat business in which they were engaged. He was (and still is) an active, 
energetic and capable young business man, and soon gained a favorable acquain- 
tance in the city. This fact was fully shown in his election to the office of city treas- 
urer in the spring of 1899. His term began on April 11, of the year mentioned. He 
has always been a Democrat, but in this has not been specially active in politics. 
On October 13, 1891, Mr. Darling married Bessie, daughter of J. Harvey Havens of 
this city. Alderman C. S. Darling is a brother to Reeves. The Darling family con- 
sists of ten children all living; the youngest is twenty-eight and the eldest fifty-two. 
The six brothers weigh eleven hundred and fifty pounds, and the weight of the four 
sisters is six hundred and seventy-five pounds. The Darling family have a reunion 
every year. 



- Lyon, Addison J., began his business career in Binghamton as partner with Ben- 
jamin Dennison in the livery business on Court street. A little later he associated 
with Ransom Hooper, his father-in-law, in the furniture business on Washington 
street. In the early part of 1857, in partnership with Alonzo Gatefield, he was pro- 
prietor of a liquor store, and while so engaged he also became interested in lumber- 
ing and rafting, in company with Beebe Cafferty, the firm's mill being located near 
Hawleyton. Later on Mr. Lyon and Austin W. Tyler carried on a lumbering busi- 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 



853 



ness at "Egypt," south of Red Rock. Pa., which enterprise kept him for a time in 
that locahty. In 1874 he returned to this city and purchased Eli Pratt's half interest 
in the Pratt & Tyler saw mill at the north end of the Rockbottom dam. The firm of 
Tyler & Lyon then established was continued until March 3, 1883, when Mr. Lyon 
became sole owner of the property and business. In the same year the mill was 
burned but was at once rebuilt on an enlarged plan. In 1892 they erected a large 
four story brick building on South street, the structure being occupied as a chair fac- 
tory by Stickley & Brandt. Mr. Lyon continued the business until his death. April 
27, 1894, and was then succeeded by his sons, Walter S., Alfred H. (assistant engi- 
neer of our city fire department), and John A. Lyon. These enterprismg young 
men, under the firm style of Addison J. Lyon's Sons are proprietors of a large lum- 
ber and planing mill business, and thus are material factors in our city history. The 
pioneer of the Lyon family in Binghamton was Isaac D. Lyon, who came from the 
Hudson river valley more than sixty years ago and purchased the western slope of 
the now called Asylum hill. Mr. Lyon built his first dwelling between Court street 
and the railroad, as afterward laid out, but later on erected a more sub.stantial house 
on the site now occupied by the steward's residence on " the hill. " The pioneer cleared 
all the land included by his purchase. His children were Thomas W:, Addison J., 
Rebecca, Lavina, George A., James W. (city fire commissioner), Moses V. (who was 
several years city marshal in Boise City, Idaho), Tamer P. and Eugenia A. Lyon. 



Clark, Thomas Jefferson, was born in Masonville, Delaware county, N. Y., April 
5, 1829, and was the son of Thomas and Polly (Wheeler) Clark. Thomas Clark 
came to Binghamton in 1842, and was a farmer. He lived to be a good old age and 
was much respected in the city. Thomas J. Clark was educated in the schools of 
Masonville, and also in the old Binghamton Academy under Principal Rollo and his 
assistant, Mr. Waldo, Mr. Clark took a special course of study and became a prac- 
tical engineer, but at that time engineering was not specially profitable to a young 
man not yet of age, therefore he learned harness making. He began business for 
himself in 1848 and continued it with success for ten years, when failing health com- 
pelled a change of occupation. Since leaving the shop in 1858 Mr. Clark has not en- 
gaged in any permanent business pursuit, yet during all subsequent j'ears he has 
been a prominent figure both in village and city history ; and he has devoted more 
time and attention to public affairs in the municipality, than perhaps any other per- 
son, and that in connection with positions which yielded no compensation. Fortu- 
nately, however, for Mr. Clark, his work in early life gave him a comfortable com- 
petency. Mr. Clark's official positions have been as follows: town clerk of the old 
town of Chenango, 1850-53; village trustee, 1858-61; school trustee, district No. 3, 
1859-61; deputy provost-marshal and chief clerk 26nh Congressional District, N. Y., 
under Provost-Marshal Edward C. Kattell, 1863-65; school commissioner, 3d ward, 
1866-78, during which term he was president of the board seven years; city super- 
visor, 3d ward, 1867-68; deputy collector of internal revenue, 1874-75; city superin- 
tendent of streets and acting city engineer, 1869-74, during which time he estab- 
lished a uniform system of grades for all streets of the city; member of the board of 
health, 1881-85. Mr. Clark has frequently been offered other places than these men- 
tioned, but has declined them. In this city, and throughout the county generally. 



854 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

he is known as a perfectlj' honest and straightforward business man. No greater 
compliment can be paid any citizen of Binghamton. Politicall}' Mr. Clark is a firm 
and consistent Republican. On December 3, 1851, Thomas Jefferson Clark married 
Julia M., daughter of John De Voe. Mrs. Clark died April 9, 1856. 



Gale, Charles, has been a familiar figure in Binghamton for a period of almost half 
a century. He was born in Binghamton August 27, 1834, in the Rufus K. Park 
frame house (now the Binghamton Driving Park Hotel), and was the son of Captain 
Verdine Ellsworth Gale, a native of Goshen, Orange county, born 1797, and who 
settled in Binghamton in 1820. Captain Gale acquired his title in Colonel Abljott's 
militia regiment, he having commanded one of its companies. His wife was Lu- 
cinda Cuffenay, a niece of General Warren. Captain Gale died March 20, 1869. 
His children were Rufus, Charles, Asa, Sarah, Verdine E., Nehemiah H., Christina, 
George W., Silas H. and Lucia M. Gale. At the age of sixteen years Charles 
started out to make his own way in life. In 1852 he came to the village and learned 
the trade of blacksmithing, at which he has now worked for more than forty-seven 
years. In 1857 he began business for himself, and during the long period in which 
he has thus been engaged his partners, in succession, have been James W. Smead, 
Abner Van Arsdale, Charles D. Rogers, James W. Smead (a second time) and 
Charles M. Cafferty, all of whom were well known in Binghamton history for many 
years. In 1873, then in partnership with Mr. Cafferty, Mr. Gale came to his present 
location on Water street. Since the death of Mr. Cafferty he has done business 
alone. For many years he has been known as an excellent mechanic and has done 
a fair share of work in his line; and his effort in life has been rewarded with a com- 
fortable and deserved competency. Mr. Gale has also taken an active interest in 
many of the measures proposed for the benefit of the city and its people, and occa- 
sionally has been the candidate for the Democratic party for city office. He was al- 
derman of the Second ward in 1884 and '85. He joined the village fire department 
in 1853. On February 25, 1863, Charles Gale married Anna S. Lay, daughter of 
George Gilbert Lay, and granddaughter of Jonathan Ogden, a pioneer m the village. 
Of the marriage just mentioned six children were born, two of whom are now living. 
They are Charles jFrederick Gale, cashier of the Strong State Bank and receiver of 
the Elmira National Bank, and Richard Gray Gale, of this city. 



Lentz, William Frederick, president of Crystal Hose company and senior member 
of the board of fire commissioners, was born in the city of New York, June 10, 1849, 
and has lived in Binghamton since 1856. He is the son of the late Gottleib and 
Frederica (Young) Lentz, and the oldest and only survivor of their four children, 
William F., Charles Otto, Albert Augustus and Theodore Robert Lentz. Gottleib 
Lentz and his wife were natives of the city of Stuttgart, in the Kingdom of Wurtem- 
berg, Germany, and both came when young with their parents to America. Mr. 
Lentz became a skilled mechanic and was a manufacturer of surgical and dental in- 
struments. In 1856 he came with his family to Binghamton, and was engaged in 
business pursuits to the time of his death August 14, 1870. His wife, who was sister 
of the late William F. Young, died February 15, 1877. 

William F. Lentz acquired his early education in our public schools, and chiefly in 




WILLIAM F. LENTZ. 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 855 

the old Binghamton academy. Then for a time he held a clerical position in the 
New York city post-office, but the death of his father in 1870 necessitated his return 
home. In 1872-74 he was employed in the office of the assistant engineer of the Erie 
canal, at Utica, aud while temporarily residing in that city he was a member of the 
famous veteran fire organization, Tiger Hose Co. But i\Ir. Lentz's active connection 
with volunteer fire organizations antedated his membership in Tiger Hose Co. by 
several years. As early as 1860 he was a member of old Phoenix Engine Co., and in 
July of the following year he transferred his membership to Lawyer Hose Co. No. 1, 
the latter ultimately developing into Crystal Hose Co. No. 1, of which Mr. Lentz is 
the oldest living member, and of which he has been president since that office was 
established almost thirty years ago. In 1864 he was elected secretary of Lawyer 
Hose, and in the next year was chosen foreman of the company, serving in that ca- 
pacity until 1871, when he was elected president of Crystal Hose, which office he 
now fills with dignity and pardonable pride. In 1876 he was elected first assistant 
engineer of the fire department and in 1877 and again in 1878 he was elected to the 
more responsible office of Chief Engineer, and served with much credit in each 
capacity. 

Thus equipped with a thorough understanding of the duties both of a fireman and 
the chief officer of a department, Mr. Lentz' selection by Mayor Morgan as one of the 
first members of the newly constituted fire commission in July, 1888, was most for- 
tunate for the best interests of the city as well as of the fire department ; and all 
subsequent incumbents of the office of mayor have shown a just appreciation of com- 
missioner Lentz' unselfish interest in the welfare of the department, for he has been 
reappointed commissioner at the end of each term, his appointment dating first in 
1888, next in 1892, again in 1896, and fourth in 1900. 

For many years "Billy" Lentz — by this familiar title he is widely known — has 
been a member of the Exempt Firemen's Association, and at one time was its vice- 
president. He was one of the founders and now is president and general manager 
of that unique organization, the " Umpville Fire Brigade." 

Mr. Lentz' acquaintance in fireman circles is not confined to Binghamton alone, 
but extends throughout this state and Pennsylvania wherever an interest is felt in 
behalf of the work of volunteer firemen; and wherever he has been known his voice 
always has been raised in the advocacy of the best and the noblest principles of 
friendship and brotherhood among firemen. Socially, he not only is popular through- 
out the department and the city, but he is also respected, and his counsel and advice 
frequently are sought and followed. Politically, Mr. Lentz makes no positive declara- 
tions, though naturally he leans toward Republicanism; and notwithstanding the 
frequent mention of his name in connection with political positions of trust, he never 
has yielded to the temptations of office and become the candidate of any party, evi- 
dently preferring his present position, enjoying the confidence and esteem of all our 
people. 

Mr. Lentz is not actively engaged in business pursuits, yet the demands upon him 
in connection with his property interests and the affairs of the fire department, oc- 
cupy much of his time. He is a member of several social and fraternal organizations, 
and is also a member of Spring Forest Cemetery association. William F. Lentz 
married Alida B., daughter of the late John N. and Mary A. Bogert, of this city, but 
formerly of New York. 



856 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

Schnell, Joseph, has been identified with business interests in Binghamton for a 
period of more than thirty-five years, yet it seems hardly possible that it was away 
back in 1864 when he returned from the army and took charge of the Western Union 
telegraph office at the Erie railway station. With the exception of about three 
months spent in New York, Mr. Schnell was connected with the local telegraph 
office until 1874, when he purchased the drug store on the west side of the Chenango 
previously owned by C. H. Webster, sr. Since that time he has been one of our city 
druggists and active business men. Joseph Schnell was born in Clearfield borough, 
Pa., March 30, 1842, and lived in that part of the State until he came to this city. 
He became a druggist's clerk in 1856, and while so employed mastered the art of 
telegraphy, which was greatly to his advantage in later years. On April 17, 1861, 
he enlisted in the old Bellefonte Fencibles, one of the notable commands recruited 
in Central Pennsylvania during the early months of the war of 1861-5. At the end 
of his three months' terra of enlistment Comrade Schnell at once re-enlisted, and was 
soon detailed to service in the U. S. Military Telegraph Corps and assigned to duty 
at division headquarters. However, without referring to his army life and experi- 
ences, which were arduous and at times hazardous, it is sufficient to say that Mr. 
Schnell was connected with the telegraphic branch of the service, and faithfully and 
willingly performed every duty required of him. In 1863 he was detailed to provost- 
marshal duty at Williamsport, Pa., and remained in that city until mustered out in 
1864. He then came to Binghamton, as has been stated, and has since been a factor 
in our city history. His connection with local institutions has been commendable. 
As district supervisor of the U. S. census of 1890 his business and executive capacity 
were fully shown, and his work was especially commended at Washington. He has 
been appointed for the same work for the 12th U. S. census for 1900. Mr. Schnell 
is regarded as one of our best and most loyal citizens, and one whom it is a pleasure 
to honorably mention in these annals. 



Johnson, Charles B., was born in Binghamton, October 28, 1839. He is the son of 
the late Thomas Johnson, and grandson of Dr. Charles Britten Johnson who came 
to live in the village about 1828, and of whom mention is made in the medical chap- 
ter of this work. The subject of this sketch was educated in the old Oak Street Dis- 
trict School, Binghamton Academy and Susquehanna Seminary, and while a portion 
of his business life has been spent in other cities no present resident of Binghamton 
has a more distinct memory of early scenes, events and characters in local history. 
He began his business career as boy clerk in Rexford's drug store. When about 
seventeen years of age he went to San F'rancisco, where he lived two j-ears, and then 
came to Chicago and was clerk in a wholesale drug house. Two years later he was 
in Galena, 111., but at the outbreak of the war of 1861-5 he was appointed field agent 
of Adams Express Company, serving at various stations of the army until the fall of 
Vicksburg, soon after which, and while on the Yazoo river, he was so severely sick 
with the fever that he was compelled to return home. He then served as clerk in 
the provost marshal's office and for a 3'ear following the end of the war he was in the 
Adams Express office in Richmond, Va. Returning then to Binghamton, Mr. John- 
son was employed in the local office of the Merchants Union Express Co., and still 
later by the Continuous Oil Refining Co. For the next five years he was employed 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 857 

by Judge Phelps to take charge of the Binghamton Gas Works. In 1874 he became 
partner in the hardware firm of Carter, Porter & Johnson, doing business in the 
Bennett block on Washington street. In 1879 Mr. Johnson sold his interest in the 
firm and was not afterward activelj' engaged in business until he went west as super- 
intendent of a coal mining company in Colorado. He returned home in the course 
of a few months, was out of active employment owing to broken health for over five 
years and then became traveling salesman for M. W. Bosworth & Co., grain dealers. 
In 1886 he entered the firm of Wideman & Co., shoe manufacturers, but withdrew at 
the end of a year and became senior partner in the firm of Johnson & Lamb, manu- 
facturers of ladies' fine shoes. In 1894 Mr. Johnson became sole owner and has 
since continued the business. Thus has Charles B. Johnson been a factor in Bing- 
hamton history, and in this chapter it becomes a pleasant dutj' to briefly mention 
the part he has taken in business affairs. He is interested in Binghamton and its 
future growth and prosperit3% having observed its development from an unimpor- 
tant inland village to a large and growing city. On May 24, 18S4, Mr. Johnson mar- 
ried Mrs. Ruth C. Lewis, by whom he has two daughters. Mrs. Johnson is the 
mother of two sons by her hrst marriage. 



Johnson, David M., local superintendent of the Bradstreet Company, has been a 
resident in the city since 1882, and during that time has acquired an extensive ac- 
quaintance among our business men. He is a native of Norwich, Conn, and was 
born September 19, 1860. His business career was begun as cashier and soon after- 
ward bookkeeper in a dry goods house in Norwich, and when be came to this city in 
1882, with Fowler, Dick & Walker, he was an employee in the office of the firm. In 
1884 he went to Easton, Pa., but returned in 1886 and was employed in the office of 
Sisson Bros. & Welden, remaining there until July, 1895, when he was appointed 
manager and superintendent of the Bradstreet agency in this city and vicinity. Mr. 
Johnson's time is well occupied with the duties of his office, yet he is not wholly un- 
known in local political history, having served one term as city civil service commis- 
sioner. But he is perhaps best known in Masonic circles as one of the most active 
craftsmen of Binghamton. He has been a Mason since 1883, and since December, 
1888, has served as secretary of Binghamton Chapter, No. 139, R. A. M. He was 
elected secretary of Otseningo Lodge, No. 435, F. & A. M.,in 1889, and is still in 
office. On June 25, 1894, he was elected secretary of the four Scottish Rite bodies of 
the city and has been annually re-elected to the present time. On September 21, 1897, 
'at Boston, Mass., Mr. Johnson was made an honorary thirty-third degree Mason. In 
March, 1884, Mr. Johnson married Margaret Simpson of Conklin. 



Bookstaver, Jacob Edgar, patent solicitor, real estate dealer, and building and loan 
operator, has been numbered among our active business men since 1883. He is a 
native of New Brunswick, N. J., and is a descendant of Jacob Buchstaber. who came 
from Germany m 1730, during the Colonial period and settled in what is now Orange 
county. Through his maternal grandmother Mr. Bookstaver is of French-Huguenot 
and English descent, and many members of the family, on both sides, have attained 
to high places in professional, business and political life. His father. Rev. Jacob 
Bookstaver, died in 1848, and Jacob E., his youngest child, was reared in the family 



858 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

of his grandfather, Judge Booraem. He was educated in the public schools and also 
the Rutgers College grammar school, of New Brunswick, after which he took a 
business course in the famous Eastman College at Poughkeepsie. He then engaged 
in insurance, real estate, and building and loan business in New Brunswick, and at 
the same time gave considerable attention to journalism, at which he showed marked 
ability; but impaired health compelled him to temporarily lay aside this work and 
find rest and strength in travel in the south and west. His health being in a meas- 
ure restored, he returned to New Brunswick and resumed editorial work and at the 
same time read law with James H. Van Cleef, of that city. In 1883 he married, and 
soon afterward came to this city, where he became partner with Deacon Richard 
Ely, doing a general insurance business. Later on he purchased the Ely interest 
and conducted the business alone, but eventually sold out and devoted his attention 
to real estate and building and loan business, and also to patent work in the capacity 
of patent attorney. Mr. Bookstaver is a thorough Binghamtonian, and is a factor 
for much good in our city. 



Moore, Andrew, was one of the pioneers in the vicinity of Binghamton, but the 
exact locality of his first settlement is not now known. About the year 1800 he lived 
on the site of the present Clapp farm, south of the river and just east of the city 
limits. He was a son of Major Moore, the latter an old Revolutionary patriot. In 
Andrew Moore's family were eight children, the sons being John C, Frank and 
George. The daughters were Emeline, who married Solomon Orcutt; Elma, who 
married Alonzo Kattel, and Harriet, who married Cornelius De Witt. John C. 
Moore was one of the prominent men and a life-long resident of Binghamton. He 
was born in 1806, and died in 1864. In early life he studied medicine, intending to 
become a physician, but having a special dislike for surgery he changed his coxirse 
and taught school. He was first elected county clerk in 1840 and served until 1844; 
was again elected in 1846, and served to 1849. In 1825 Mr. Moore made an accurate 
and interesting pen map of Binghamton, showing its views, streets, dwellings and 
public buildings. It is one of the most interesting relics of old times in the village 
now in existence, aud is the property of Mr. Moore's daughter, Mrs. Ralph S. Dar- 
row. Mr. Moore married Betsey M. Severson; their children were Louisa, John A., 
George and Charles Moore. Ralph S. Darrow was born in Connecticut in 1840 and 
came to Binghamton when only a boy, with the family of his father, Asa B. Darrow. 
Ralph was left an orphan at the age of eleven years, and his subsequent life and 
splendid success was an evidence of what can be accomplished by a youth of spirit 
and determination Mr. Darrow was in the wholesale grocery trade with Mr. Way, 
but afterward dealt extensively in hay, having four presses in different places in this 
locality. He died December 13, 1889. His wife, with whom he married September 
30, 1864, was Louisa Moore. Mr. Darrow was a leading member of the Centenary 
M. E. church, and for many years was its Sunday school superintendent. 



Mersereau, Theodore T., was prominently identified with the business history of 
this city for a period of almost thirty years. He was not only a factor in business 
history, but every measure proposed for the public welfare found in him an earnest, 
liberal supporter. He sought no political station, would accept none, yet he was an 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 859 

ardent and loyal Republican. Mr. Mersereau was born in the town of Owego, March 
23, 1840, the son of Joshua Mersereau and the grandson of Lawrence Mersereau and 
thus was descended from one of the most respected and prominent families of Union, 
for the surname Mersereau has been inseparably associated with the best history of 
the latter town for more than a century. At the time of Theodore's birth his par- 
ents were living in Campville, in the town of Owego. When about twelve or thir- 
teen years old our young man went to Brooklyn and attended a school taught by his 
uncle, Lawrence Mersereau, whom all residents of Union well remember. Later on 
Theodore came to Binghamton and acquired a business education in Lowell's Col- 
lege, after which he was employed as clerk and bookkeeper in the old Bank of Bing- 
hamton, now the City National Bank, but gave up his position for a clerkship in the 
treasury department at Washington, which he secured through the friendship of 
Daniel S. Dickinson, who knew the capacity of the young man and his sterling, hon- 
est qualities. However, in 1865, Mr. Mersereau returned to Binghamton and became 
partner in the farm of M. T. Morgan & Co. In 1869 Mr. Morgan retired from the 
firm, upon which the succeeding partners, George Craver and Mr. Mersereau, con- 
tinued business for thirteen years under the style of Craver & Mersereau. This firm 
was dissolved about 1882, and in the following year Mr. Mersereau became partner 
with E. W. Conklin, under the firm name of Conklin & Mersereau, dealers in wool, 
seeds and produce. This firm was in business at the time of Mr. Mersereau's death, 
February 4, 1892. It is thus seen that Theo. T. Mersereau was an active business 
man in Binghamton nearly thirty years, and throughout that period he was ever 
noted for his straightforward honesty and integrity. He began his business career 
with small means, and that the result of his own industry and perseverance. He 
was rewarded with success and richly deserved all the success he achieved. In his 
death Binghamton lost one of its best business men and most respected citizens. 
Mr. Mersereau was not a church member but was a liberal supporter of Christ church. 
His wife, whom he married June 7, 1870, was Annie E. Perry, sister of the late 
Charles B. Perry and also of George S. Perry, of this city. 



Landfield, Jerome B., came to live in Binghamton in 1889, then being past the 
middle age of life and having spent many years in active and profitable pursuits. 
At that time he had determined to retire from active business and locate in this city, 
where all the surroundings were congenial, and where his children might have the 
advantages of our High Scnool and life in a prosperous, growing municipality; but in 
less than a year Mr. Landfield found himself naturally drifting again into business 
enterprises, the owner of considerable real estate and bank stocks, as well as being a 
large shareholder in two street railway lines. In 1890 he became owner of the " Or- 
phans' Home" line, and also of the commonly known " Meagley " line of street rail- 
way, both of which afterward were consolidated with the Binghamton Street Rail- 
road Company, in the latter corporation Mr. Landfield being president, director and 
a large stockholder. Subsequently, as is fully narrated in another department of 
this work, the B. S. R. R. Co. was consolidated with the Binghamton Railroad Com- 
pany, by which all the lines of street railway in this city were united under a gen- 
eral system, with Mr. Landfield vice-president of the incorporated company. Still 
later, he was one of the organizers and incorporators of the Binghamton, Lestershire 



860 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

and Union Railroad Company, and has been its president to the present time. In 
1890 Mr. Landfield was one of the incorporators of the Binghamton Trust Company 
(the history of which will be found in the chapter relating to " Financial Institu- 
tions"); was at one time its treasurer and now its vice-president. He is also in 
various ways interested in other enterprises in the city, and although his residence 
here covers a period of hardly more than a half-score years, he is regarded as one of 
our public-spirited, progressive citizens. Mr. Landfield came to our city in 1889 with 
an excellent business and public record, and, indeed, was not then an entire stranger 
in Broome county. He is a native of Hancock, Delaware county, born November 6, 
1827, the .son of Clark and Hannah (Thomas) Landfield, his father being a merchant, 
farmer and lumberman. At the age of twelve years Jerome began work, but did 
not neglect his studies (he was educated in the Delaware Literary Institute and Delhi 
Academy), and after his school daj's were ended he himself taught three winter 
terms of school. He then began lumbering and gradually drifted into mercantile 
pursuits, having a store at Harvard, Delaware county. In 1858 he became proprie- 
tor of an " upper leather" tannery and also of a flouring mill, with which enterprises 
he was connected until 1865. In this year he sold his interests in Delaware 
county and removed to Newark Valley, where he became a partner with John Dav- 
idge and George H. Allison in an extensive tannery business. During the twenty- 
five years of Mr. Landfield's residence in Newark Valley the personnel of the firm 
changed twice. The original partnership style was Allison, Davidge & Co., but 
afterward was changed to Allison & Landfield, and still later to Davidge, Landfield 
& Co. ; but under whatever name the tannery may have been operated, it was for 
many years the leading industry of Newark Valley and was a profitable investment 
for its owners. In 1889 Mr. Landfield sold his interest in the tannery to his partners 
and removed to Binghamton. Mr. Landfield is a thorough Republican, and has 
been a factor in the political history of at least three counties in the State. During 
the war of 1861-5, he was deputy provost-marshal under Provost " Sam " Gordon, of 
Norwich, and in November, 1863, he was elected to the Assembly from Delaware 
county. Ten years later, while living in Newark Valley, he represented Tioga 
county in the Assembly in 1873 and again in 1874. Mr. Landfield was postmaster at 
Newark Valley for fourteen years. He was county superintendent of the poor in 
Tioga county, and also supervisor of the town of Newark Valley. In fact, he has 
held all minor offices from con.stable up. In Broome county, and particularly in this 
city, he takes an earnest interest, political and otherwise, in all that pertains to the 
welfare of our people, yet he never has yielded to the persuasions of his party asso- 
ciates and become a candidate for public oflfice. Mr. Landfield has been twice mar- 
ried. His first wife was Mary Elizabeth Kanouse, daughter of Uzziel, and grand- 
daughter of Rev. Peter Kanouse, of Deckertown, N. J. Three sons, none of whom 
are now living, were born of this marriage. Mr. Landfield's second wife was Helen 
M. Rogers, daughter of Henry A. and Emma (Willard) Rogers of Chenango Forks, 
and a descendant from one of the pioneer families of Broome county, and of Revo- 
lutionary stock. Jerome Landfield, jr., and Grace H Landfield are children of the 
marriage last mentioned. 



Hopton, Edwin Franklin, proprietor of the well known meat market, 108 Court 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 861 

street, has been a resident of this city since 1885, and during that period has become 
recognized as one of most enterprising and successful young business men. For two 
years he has been president of the local Retail Butchers' association, and on August 
13, 1898, was elected vice-president of the eastern division of the National Associa- 
tion of Retail Butchers. No less prominently has Mr. Hopton been identified with 
our history in other ways. He is a devoted member of the Lutheran church, one of 
its deacons, and secretary of the church council. He was assistant superintendent 
of its Sunday school for a period of six years, and has been superintendent for the 
last three years. He is a valuable member of Calumet lodge, I O. O. P., and during 
his residence in the city has risen to the position of District Deputy Grand Master 
the highest office in the county. Edwin F. Hopton was born in Lancaster. Pa., 
March 25, 1861. He was educated m the Lancaster public schools, after which he 
received an excellent commercial education in Trimmer's Business college. He 
learned the confectioner's trade under J. C. Spaeth, of Lancaster, Pa., and for a 
faithful apprenticeship and devotion to his employer's interest, was awarded a gold 
medal. The medal bears the date of May 27, 1882, and appropriately marks the 
beginning of Mr. Hopton's real business career. Previous to coming to this city he 
worked in Philadelphia, New York, Bridgeport, (Conn.), and Newark, N. J. Ifi 
January, 1885, he became an employee in Lloyd & Shrimpton's (afterward Lloyd & 
Gardner's) wholesale confectionery establishment, taking charge of the manufactur- 
ing department. He held that position thirteen years and on March 1, 1898, pur- 
chased the Heller market, of which he is now proprietor. Thus has Mr. Hopton 
been a prominent factor in our city history for a period of fifteen years. The state 
of Pennsylvania has mdeed furnished Binghamton with a good proportion of excel- 
lent business men, and they are worthy of honorable mention in these pages. In 
1884 Mr. Hopton married Elizabeth Single, of Lancaster, Pa. He has a pleasant 
home, made more enjoyable by two daughters, Alice and Jessie Hopton. 



Jackson, Edwin Eliphalet, was born in Cazenovia, Madison county, in June, 1830, 
and came to Binghamton in 1852. He was one of the first wholesale merchants of 
the village, doing business with William E. Taylor under the firm name of Taylor & 
Jackson — a name in trade circles that all our older residents will remember. Mr. 
Jackson afterward was a member of the wholesale firm of Jackson, Denton & Marks, 
aijd still later was partner with Byron Marks, junior member of the firm last men- 
tioned. He was a school commissioner in 1862-64, alderman of the Second ward in 
1869; assessor in 1875, and deputy collector of internal revenue from October, 1875, 
to July, 1883. He died in March, 1895. Mr. Jackson's wife was Nancy L , daughter 
of Richard Mather and granddaughter of Mason Whiting, both of whom are promi- 
nently identified with early Binghamton histor3\ Edwin E. Jackson, of New York 
city, is the only survivor of six children, born to Edwin E. and Nancy L. Jackson. 



Haskins, Fred H., junior partner in the dry goods firm of Hills, McLean & Has- 
kins, was born in New Britain, Conn., April 1, 1859. He was the older of two chil- 
dren of Henry and Lucy (Cowles) Haskins, both native New Englanders, but who 
removed to Broome county in 1865. About 1868 Mr. Haskins purchased from Dr. J. 
Edward Turner a portion of the asylum property, which he developed into a market 



862 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

garden, and which is now a valuable tract of land. For many years Henry Haskins 
has been one of our most respected citizens. Fred lived at home until he embarked 
in mercantile pursuits in 1894. He was educated in our city schools, and is known 
as an industrious and capable young business man. On April 26, 1894, he married 
Grace A., daughter of the late Horace H. Crary, 



Nelson, Benjamin H., senior partner in the banking firm of B. H. Nelson & Son, 
came to Binghamton from Barryville, Sullivan county, in 1867. He is a native of 
Sullivan county, born January 22, 1837, and spent his early life in that vicinty, doing 
business as lumberman and merchant. For a period of about six months during the 
last year of the war of 1861-5 he was employed by the government in the commis- 
sary department, but returned north after peace was restored. On coming to this 
city in 1867 Mr. Nelson engaged in the grocery business on Court street about two 
years, after which he became traveling salesman for McKinney & Co., wholesale 
grocers. Three years later he sold goods "on the road" for S. Mills Ely, but at the 
expiration of two years he started a wholesale and retail grocery store on the North 
Side, being one of the first merchants in that now busy locality. The grocery busi- 
ness was eventually discontinued and a wholesale fruit .store replaced it. Mr. Nel- 
son was in trade until 1890, when he opened a private banking house at the north- 
west corner of Chenango and Eldredge streets. It is said among business men that 
Mr. Nelson has been one of the most earnest developers of the North Side, and has 
by his efforts contributed in a large degree to the growth and prosperity of that in- 
teresting portion of the city. He has erected and is now the owner of several large 
business buildings, the first of which was that at the corner of Chenango and Dou- 
bleday streets, followed by that at the northeast, and still another at the northwest, 
corner of Chenango and Eldredge streets. He has also built several desirable resi- 
dences, and has been Ihe owner of still others, in the same locality. Indeed, his 
interest in the North Side has been as earnest as it has been commendable, and the 
entire city has benefited by his work. Mr. Nelson is a Republican, and although 
often urged to accept nominations for public office he has frequently declined. For 
more than twenty years he has been a trustee of the North Presbyterian Church. 
On February 26, 1866, Benjamin H. Nelson married Julia Helen Bross, of Johnson's. 
Orange county. Two children were born of this marriage, one of whom — George R. 
Nelson — is now living. 



Kent, Arthur E., city passenger and ticket agent for the D., L. & W. Railroad 
Company, is a native of Binghamton, born September 18, 1868, and is the son of 
the late Erastus W. Kent, the latter for many years a prominent business man in the 
city. Usebe Kent, grandfather of Arthur, is remembered as an old sheriff of the 
county, and a representative of one of our old substantial families. Arthur E. Kent 
was educated in the Pine Street School, and the B. C. H. S. , after which he became 
a practical shirt cutter, and as such was in the employ of Clinton McHenry, the 
shirt manufacturer, from 1885 to 1889. In August of the latter j^earhe was appointed 
night ticket agent of the Erie Companj'- in this city, and left that position in July, 
1892, to accept the more desirable post of city passenger agent of the Lackawanna 
Company at Buffalo. On November 11, 1895, he was transferred from Buffalo to 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 



863 



this city, and has since acceptably performed the duties of city passenger and ticket 
agent for the company in this city, much to the gratification of our people, as Mr. 
Kent is a native as well as an active progressive young man. On October 9, 1895. 
while living in Buffalo, Mr. Kent married Elizabeth Anderson Cormack. 

Harding, George L., wool and hide dealer, manufacturer of fertilizers and high 
grade poultry foods, has been a factor in city history, industrial and political, for a 
period of almost twenty years. He is a native of Binghaniton and was born Novem- 
ber 12, 1856, in the old Harding homestead at the head of Court street. His father 
is Lowell Harding, who came to our then village from Med way, Mass., in 1839, and 
began his business career as a shoemaker, working for J. B. Abbott & Son and also 
for Aaron Williams. He began dealing in wool and hides in 1841, and from that 
time until 1892 he was an active business man in the village and subsequent city. 
From 1858 to 1863 Lowell Harding operated a tannery on the north bank of the Sus- 
quehanna river, just below the old Tompkins bridge. George L. Harding was edu- 
cated in our city schools, and also in institutions of still higher grade in the cities of 
Dresden and Hanover, Germany. He lived abroad about two and one-half years, 
then returned home and in 1876-7 went to New York where he was engaged on the 
staff of the New York World. Then for three years he carried on a job printing 
business in the city, after which he went West and with his brother Franklin founded 
and published the Wood River Miner. In connection with this enterprise these 
young journalists built the first cabin on the site of Hailey, now the county seat of 
Alturas county, Idaho. While in the West, to avoid the severities of winter in 1881, 
Mr. Harding went to Salt Lake City and took the position of assistant paymaster of 
the Denver and Rio Grande Construction Company, returning, however, to his 
newspaper work at the end of five months. In the winter of 1882 he returned to 
this city and engaged in business with his father, continuing until 1892 when the 
latter retired from active life. George L. Harding's subsequent career has been 
mentioned in preceding paragraphs, and he is now numbered among our successful 
business men. He began the manufacture of fertilizers in 1893, and in 1896 he put 
on the market his now celebrated high grade poultry food. He is a firm Republican, 
and as such represented the Seventh ward in the Common Council from February, 
1893, to February 1895, serving as chairman of the committee on finance and educa- 
tion. On May 26, 1886, George L. Harding married Julia Monroe, of Unadilla, of 
which marriage two children have been born. 



Haskin, William J., senior partner in the firm of W. J. Haskin & Co., dealers in 
nursery stock, also of the firm of Haskin & Luce, manufacturers of the " Empire 
Laundry Blue," and of the Haskin Medicine Company, has been a resident and act- 
ive business man of this city since 1887. He is a native of Canada, born m Leeds, 
Ontario, July 18, 1856. He was brought up on a farm and was given only a limited 
opportunity to acquire an education, hence is a self made man. In 1878 he came to 
Centre Lisle, and for a time was employed as salesman for the nursery firm of J. 
Hammond & Co , of Geneva. After three years he formed a partnership with Na- 
thaniel B. Woodworth, under the name of W. J. Haskin & Co., and began business 
for himself. In 1887 the firm removed its seat of operations to this city, and has 



864 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

since become known as one of the largest and most reliable concerns of its kind do- 
ing business in this section. Haskin & Luce began the manufacture of the Empire 
Laundry Blue in November, 1898, while the Haskin Medicine Co. dates its organiza- 
tion from the spring of 1899. Mr. Haskin is a Republican, but seeks no political 
preferment. He is a devoted member of the M. E. church, his membership therein 
dating back nearly twenty-five years. Mr. Haskin married Alice E., daughter of 
Nathaniel B. Woodworth, of Lisle. 



Lord, Alfred A., dealer in gentlemen's furnishings at No. 99 Court street, has been 
a business man in this city since April, 1893. Previous to that time, and after he 
was mustered out of the U. S. service in June, 1865, he was engaged in the manu- 
facture of whips in the flourishing village of Windsor, in this county. In Windsor 
Mr. Lord was an active figure both in public and business life. For five years he 
was president of the board of education, and for seven years he was commander of 
S. L. Judd Post, No. 377, G. A. R. Moreover, Comrade Lord is a native of Broome 
county, born near Nineveh, August 31, 1845, and is the son of the late Alonzo G. and 
Betsey (Austin) Lord, both natives of Connecticut, and settlers in this county in 1835. 
Alfred was given a fair common school education, after which he turned his atten- 
tion to farm work. He was thus employed at the outbreak of the war of 1861-65, 
and on October 16, 1861, then being only sixteen years old, he enlisted in Co. E. 90th 
N. Y. Vol. Inf. His subsequent army experiences were both severe and interesting, 
and form an important part of his life's history. He served one year at Key West, 
where he had yellow fever in its worst form. He served at the siege of Port Hudson 
and also at the battle at Coxe's Plantation (July 13, 1863) where he was wounded and 
captured by the enemy. A few days later he was released on parole, but later on 
was exchanged, and was discharged from service February 9, 1864. The very same 
day he enlisted in his old company and regiment and again returned to the field in 
the Shenandoah Valley. At the battle of Cedar Creek (October 19, 1864) he was 
again captured and afterward was confined in the horrible Pemberton prison, also at 
Salisbury, N. C. (four months) and Libby prison at Richmond before his final release 
on parole, March 13, 1865. On June 19, 1865, he was mustered out of service and 
returned to his home terribly broken in health and a mere skeleton weighing only 
sixty-five pounds, the results of starvation, typhoid fever, scurvy and other diseases 
contracted in confederate prison. From the.se army afflictions Comrade Lord has 
never fully recovered, yet he has labored manfully and successfully in the later fields 
of business life and action; and to-day he is numbered among our best and most 
loyal citizens. On September 26, 1866, Mr. Lord married Sarah Taj'lor, of Center 
Village. Four children were born of that union, one of whom, George E. Lord, is 
now in business with his father. His wife died May 10, 1891, and on April 26, 1893, 
Mr. Lord married Amelia, widow of the late Charles E. Brownell. 



Stilson, Manville S., grocer, doing business at No. 390 Chenango street, was born 
in Mayfield, Fulton county, February' 10, 1852. At the age of twelve years he left 
home and started out to make his own way in life, and while Mr. Stilson has not 
accumulated a large fortune or gained a high position in public life, he is neverthe- 
less as honorable a business man as we have in our city. His efforts in life have 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 865 

been rewarded with a fair degree of success, and whatever he has accomplished has 
been the result of his own industry and perseverance. On leaving home young Stil- 
son went to Ontario county, where he did boy's work on a farm. He afterward 
came to Brisben, Chenango county, where he was an employee in a saw and shingle 
mill. He then went to Bennettsville and managed the large farm of the late Abel 
Bennett, of this city. In the fall of 1882 Mr. Stilson came to Binghamton, and on 
January 1, 1883, opened a grocery store at No. 390 Chenango .street, where he has 
been in successful business for seventeen years. In 1880 Mr. Stilson married Elvie 
A. Stilson, of Bennettsville. 



Seaman, Fred E., junior partner in the well known livery firm of Stevens & Sea- 
man, and also partner in the firm of Stevens, Seaman & MofEatt, dealers in western 
horses, was born in the town of Ithaca, April 25, 1859. He is the son and the eldest 
of three children of Oliver W. and Ellen Seaman. Oliver Seaman was a blacksmith 
in the town of Ithaca previous to 1864, and m that year removed to Castle Creek, 
this county, where he now lives. Fred was educated in the Castle Creek District 
School, and also in Whitney's Point Academy, but at the age of fifteen years he 
started out to work for himself and to make his own way in life. His starting capi- 
tal was a rugged constitution and a willingness to work. For six years he was a 
farm hand, after which he went to the pine woods of Florida, where he worked in a 
mill about four months; then he returned north and again took up farm work in this 
locality, also in Orleans county, but later was employed in Patten Bros.' market. He 
was always industrious and saved his earnings, and thus was able to buy out the 
livery business formerly carried on by John Foote. In 1885 Sheriff Stevens became 
his partner and from that to the present time the firm of Stevens & Seaman has been 
known in city business circles. The firm of Stevens, Seaman & Moffatt annually 
imports many western horses and finds ready sale for them in local and eastern mar- 
kets. The business has proved successful, and the gratifying results are well 
deserved. 



Gaige, Arthur H , the South Side druggist and one of the oldest active firemen in 
the Binghamton fire department, was born in Wright, Schoharie county, January 27. 
1854, but came to this city from Albany county with his father's family in 18G9. Eg- 
bert M. Gaige, the father, (the greater part of whose early life was spent in Schoharie 
county) opened a grocery store on the south side, in the locality then best known as 
" Brighamville," in 1873, and was in trade until 1892. He erected the first large 
brick business block on the South Side, and was otherwi.se prominently identified 
with the growth of that part of the city. Served in two boards of school commis- 
sioners and' was a member of the board of aldermen in 1888-9. When Arthur was 
fourteen years old he left school and began work as clerk in his father's store in 
Rensselaerville, Albany county, and on coming to Binghamton in 1869 he was em- 
ployed in C. J. Brownell's drug store, remaining there until 1874. He then went to 
Morris, 111., working one year as druggist's clerk, and thence removed to Sycamore. 
111., where another year was spent in like employment. In the spring of 1876 he re- 
turned to this city and opened a drugstore at the southeast corner of De Russey and 
South Main streets, thus being the pioneer druggi,st on the South Side. In 1882 he 
55 



86G FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

removed to his present location at the northwest corner of De Russey street and Ves- 
tal avenue (formerly South Main street). In 1870 Mr. Gaige became a charter mem- 
ber of Independent Hose Co. No. 5, but two years later transferred his membership 
to Excelsior H & L. Co. No. 1, in which organization his name is still on the active 
roll. For many years he has been one of the company's trustees. He has been a 
member of Calumet Lodge, I. O. O. F., about fifteen years, having passed all the 
chairs, and is also a P. C. P. of Binghamton Encampment and a member of Canton 
Binghamton, of the same order. He is a Redman, a member of Pawnee tribe. 



Osborn, Emerson, one of the leading photographers and perhaps the oldest repre- 
sentative of that art in the city, was born in Middlebrook, Schoharie county, Sep- 
tember 1, 1843, and was less than two years old when his father, Orris Osborn, set- 
tled in Colesville. The family is descended from sturdy New England stock and 
some of its ancestors gained enviable prominence in the war of the Revolution. (See 
sketch of Dr. A. J. Osborn in Medical chapter). Emerson Osborn spent his young 
life on his father's farm in Colesville, and was educated in the district schools and 
also the famous old Binghamton Academy. He afterward taught two or three win- 
ter terms of school, but soon left the farm, came to Binghamton and learned photog- 
raphy with A. B. Tubbs, whose name was once well known in village history. In 
March, 1865, Mr. Osborn began work with A. Hickox, and continued with him until 
the fall of 1870. Mr. Cobb then succeeded Mr. Hickox in business, and Mr. Osborn 
having become a skillful and practical operator, was retained by Mr. Cobb and re- 
mained with him until the winter of 1885, when he himself became proprietor of the 
gallery, succeeding Well. G. Singhi. Mr. Singhi was regarded as the best photo- 
graphic proprietor in the city in his time, yet Mr. Osborn has always maintained the 
reputation of the gallery previously established by his predecessor. Indeed, he has for 
many years been looked upon as one of the most competent and experienced photo- 
graphic operators in this part of the State. He has a prominent standing in Odd 
Fellow circles, having passed through all the chairs in the lodge, the Encampment, 
the Canton and the Rebekahs. He also enjoys the pleasant distinction of having 
been the only male past N. G. of the local Rebekah Lodge, I. O. O. F. His mem- 
bership in Calumet Lodge dates back more than twenty-five years. On December 
24, 1863, Emerson Osborn married Hannah E. Whitham, by whom he has had five 
children. 



Hapgood, Chester M., pioprietor of a general dry goods and furnishing store on 
the North Side, began his business career in this city in 1898, and has taken a posi- 
tion among our best citizens. Although a young man Mr. Hapgood came to Bing- 
hamton with an excellent business experience, and whatever he has undertaken he 
has successfully accomplished. He was educated in the Clinton Grammar School 
and the Buffalo College of Pharmacy, intending to enter the drug trade, and after- 
ward for three years he was employed in the wholesale homeopathic pharmacy of 
Halsey Bros., at Buffalo. Early in 1898 he went to Rahway, N. J., and engaged in 
the manufacture of tent poles and stakes, having a government sub-contract for that 
work. In August of that year a disastrous fire destroyed his plant, entailing serious 
loss. He then started out in quest of a good business location and soon decided to 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 867 

open a store on Chenango street, on the North Side. Subsequent results have 
shown the wisdom of Mr. Hapgood's choice of location, and Binghamton has thereby 
secured another good business young man. Mr. Hapgood was born September 9, 
1873, and is the son of Addison D. Hapgood, formerly of Jamestown and now of 
this city. , 



Dunham, Rev. Samuel, pastor of the West Presbyterian church, is a native of 
Southington. Hartford county, Conn., born February 8, 1835, and is descended from 
an old New England family whose ancestry in America dates from the early years 
of the seventeenth century. Samuel acquired his early education in the common 
schools and also in the Southington Academy, where he prepared for college. He 
entered Yale in 1855, but was soon afterward compelled to relinquish .study by rea- 
son of an affection of the eyes. The next year, however, he returned to the college, 
completed his course and graduated with honors in 1860. Having determined to en- 
ter the ministry, our young Yale graduate next entered Union Theological Seminary, 
where he remained two years and thence went to the Theological Seminary at An- 
dover, Mass., where he was graduated in 1863. He was licensed to preach 
February 3, 1863, by the Essex South Association at Salem, Mass., yet pre- 
vious to that time he began ministerial work as stated supply in the West 
Brookfield Congregational church. He was ordained and installed pastor of the 
church October 4, 1864, and served in that capacity until the latter part of 
1869, when on account of impaired health he was granted a six months' leave of ab- 
sence from pastoral work. However, a few months of European travel gave re- 
newed strength, and in November, 1870, he became a stated supply to the pulpit of 
the First Congregational church of Norwalk, Conn., remaining there two years. In 
November, 1872, Mr. Dunham was invited to Binghamton by the society of the 
West Presbyterian church, and from that time he has indeed been a factor for good 
in the history of both the church and the city. On November 24 he was called to 
the pastorate, and five days later he accepted the call and became the head of the 
church. In April, 1873, he was installed pastor, and now for a period of more than 
a quarter of a century he has been a part of the history of the church. His work, in 
season and out of season, has been for the welfare of the charge committed to his 
care under Divine guidance, and the splendid results achieved have been his great- 
est reward. He has witnessed the growth of the church from an original member- 
ship of sixty-five persons to a present total of more than seven hundred and fifty 
members; he has seen the old brick chapel outgrown, its material enlargement in 
1886 and finally the erection of a new, larger and more beautiful stone structure in a 
more desirable location, and in this grand result he has been a leading worker, con- 
tributing largely of his time, his influence and his means. This elegant earthly 
temple of the Lord is erected as a memorial to a loving and devoted helpmeet — "the 
model pastor's wife"— as Sarah M Dunham was known throughout our city. Pre- 
vious to the public dedication of the new edifice (October 16, 1899), provision was 
made that, upon his retirement from the active duties of his pastorate, Mr. Dunham 
shall be retained as "Pastor Emeritus" during the period of his natural life. In the 
spring of 1890, Mr. Dunham's people generously granting him a leave of absence, he 
spent five months in Oriental travel, including Egypt, Palestine. Syria, Turkey and 



868 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

Greece, ending with a trip across the continent and through England, Scotland and 
Ireland; the church, meantime, continuing his salary and providing for the supply 
of his pulpit. The history of the church is written in another chapter of this work. 
Sarah Maria Clark was born in Harwinton, Conn., June 18, 1839, and was the daugh- 
ter of Asaph and Clarissa (Wilson) Clark. She married Samuel Dunham, October 6. 
1863, and four interesting children blessed the marriage, and gave promise of use- 
fulness in all the walks of life, but the Master entered the household and bore them 
all away; and in less than one short year after the death of the youngest child the 
mother, too, was called from earth to eternal rest. Sarah Clark Dunham died April 
9, 1894. The children were Samuel Clark Dunham, born June 10, 1866, and died 
February 21, 1887; Clara Langdon Dunham, born July 28, 1869, and died October 
11, 1870; Chauncey Wilson Dunham, born January 9, 1872, and died October 8, 1875; 
and Luther Langdon Dunham, born July 29, 1874, and died June 14, 1893. 



Rogers, John B., treasurer of the Binghamton Railroad Company and junior part- 
ner in the cigar manufacturing firm of Smith & Rogers, is a native of Broome coun- 
ty, born in Barker, April 14, 1865, the son of Theodore S. Rogers, grandson of John 
B. Rogers (for whom he was named) and great-grandson of Simeon Rogers, the lat- 
ter the pioneer of the family in the county and a patriot of the Revolution. In 1867 
Theodore S. Rogers removed with his family from Chenango Forks to Binghamton 
and has since been identified with the business history of the city. • John acquired 
his early education in the city schools, after which he began work as clerk for Carter 
& Babcock, wholesale and retail dealers. Later on he was for several years in the 
employ of Crocker & Ogden, also general hardware merchants, after which he had 
charge of the Binghamton branch factory of Frank Miller & Sons, manufacturers of 
proprietary goods. During a portion of the latter period of employment, Mr. Rog- 
ers was "on the road" selling goods for Miller & Sons, and he also sold cigars for 
Reynolds, Rogers & Lay. He then acquired a knowledge of the cigar business in 
general that stands in good stead in his present connection with the firm of Smith & 
Rogers. In 1890 he left the road and became assistant treasurer of the Binghamton 
Railroad Company (as now known). In 1892 he was elected treasurer of the com- 
pany, which position he still holds. He is interested as stockholder in the city con- 
solidated street railroad companies and also in the Binghamton, Lestershire and 
Union Railroad Company. The partnership of Smith & Rogers was formed 
January 1, 1900. In city business circles Mr. Rogers is known as an ener- 
getic, capable and straightforward young man, worthy of the confidence of our 
people and deserving of all the success he has achieved. On May 31, 1894, John B. 
Rogers married Louise, youngest daughter of the late Judge Horace S. Griswold. 
Two children have been born of this marriage. 



Whitmore, John T., has been a prominent factor in Binghamton history for a 
period of more than half a century, having been identified with some of the city's 
best business interests. Mr. Whitmore was born in Morris count3% N. J., in 1830, 
and when two years old came to Binghamton with his father, Thomas B. Whitmore, 
once a well known meat dealer in the village. In 1852 John T. Whitmore opened a 
meat market and was engaged in that business until 1880. In 1881 he became iden- 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 



869 



tified with the Bolles Hoe and Tool Company. He continued in that capacity until 
August 1, 1887. when he was elected president of the company, which position he 
now holds. Mr. Whitmore for many years has taken an earnest interest in the wel- 
fare and growth of our city, though never for his own personal advancement. In 
1842 he and John T. Robinson were torch boys in the original Fountain Bucket Com- 
pany, and as such had the honor to wear the first uniform made for that company in 
the village. The style of " suit" was afterward adopted as the company's uniform. 
Mr. Whitmore also was one of the first board of aldermen under the city charter of 
1867, and represented the First ward in the Common Council in 1867, '68, '70 and '71. 
Mr. Whitmore is a firm and consistent Democrat. 



Wheeler, Fred B., director, general manager and assistant secretary of the Bing- 
hamton Gas Works, has been a factor in our city history since 1898. Mr. Wheeler's 
connection with the local gas supply company antedated his residence here, and he 
was called to the position of general manager from the fact that the local system re- 
quired an engineer of acknowledged experience and skill to direct its alTairs. That 
Mr. Wheeler possesses these qualifications is shown in the fact that after he was 
graduated from Yale College (1885) he was appointed assistant superintendent of the 
Derby Gas Company, holding that position more than two years, and was then in 
the same manner connected with the Holyoke (Mass.) Gas Company. Still later he 
was made superintendent of the East Chester Gas Company, of Mt. Vernon, and 
served as such five years. He was for one year manager of the Mohawk Gas Com- 
pany, of Schenectady, followed by about two and one-half years as superintendent 
and afterward general manager of the Consolidated Gas Company of Long Branch, 
N. J. From the latter city he came to Binghamton in May, 1898. Mr. Wheeler is a 
practical and scientific engineer and a mathematician of high standing in engineer- 
ing circles. He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the 
American Gas Light Association, and also of the Western Gas Association. In 
Free Masonry he is a member of the subordinate bodies and also of Otseningo Con- 
sistory, A. A. S. R., a trustee of Kalurah Temple, N. M. S., and a governor of the 
Craftsman's Club. He is also a member of the Dobson Club. 



Cunningham, Pierre W., is one of Binghamton's old residents and an influential 
member of the Democratic party. He came here thirty years ago. Mr. Cunning- 
nam was born in New York city and was graduated from the New York University. 
On coming to Binghamton he engaged in the drug business which he carried on for 
twenty-one years at No. 146 Washington street. Notwithstanding his business in- 
terests, Mr. Cunningham has for twenty-five years been actively engaged in politics; 
was two terms overseer of the poor, and for twelve years was secretary of the Dem- 
ocratic County Committee. Though he retired from business some two years ago, 
Mr. Cunningham has by no means lost interest in the business and political activi- 
ties of Binghamton where his influence is still felt. 



Thatcher, Samuel N.— a pupil of Faff; W. S B. Matthews of Chicago; William 
Mason; P. P. Bliss; Bassini; O'Neil and Parker at the New England Conservatory 
—located in Binghamton in 1871 when he began his most successful career as m- 



8t0 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

structor upon the piano, pipe organ and violin. Mr. Thatcher was one of our first 
music teachers and for a number of years taught also in neighboring towns making 
frequent driving tours of two or three days. Many of Binghamton's most prominent 
musicians, notably a majority of the church organists, have been Mr. Thatcher's pu- 
pils. Not only as a teacher, a tuner and dealer in musical instruments has Mr. 
Thatcher been prominent, but also as a singer, having given his services as choir 
leader and tenor singer in the North Presbyterian church for a number of years. 
Mr. Thatcher is a G. A. R. man and was a musician in the army. He is a charter 
member of the New York State Music Teachers' Association and has always served 
on the tuning committee, much of the time as chairman. Mr. Thatcher came from 
Harford, Pa., where he was born November 1, 1829. His wife, whom he married 
September 23, 1854, was Eleanor J. Barton, daughter of Ephraim A. Barton, an 
early settler in Windsor and at one time a resident in Binghamton. 



Didier, Jacob A., proprietor of the attractively appointed Opera Cafe, opposite the 
Stone Opera House on Chenango street, has been a resident of Bmghamton about 
seven years, although he first came to the city in 1889. Mr. Didier is comparatively 
a young man, yet as a compounder and dispenser of cafe refreshments he enjoys 
considerable celebrity, having been in business either as proprietor or employee 
nearly twenty years and in almost as many important cities in the country. He was 
born in Albany, April 21, 1865, and when five years old removed with his father's 
family to Gloversville, where the latter was a contractor and builder. At the age of 
sixteen years " Honest Jake," as he is best known among his many friends and ac- 
quaintances, went to Detroit and was employed in the cafe connected with the Rus- 
sell House. Two years later he went to work in Chicago for Chapin & Gore, and 
still later dispensed "good cheer" in the famous Continental Hotel in Philadelphia. 
In 1883 he returned to Detroit and became proprietor of Recreation Park saloon, but 
in the next year came to Syracuse, where he worked for a time for A. G. Courtney 
and later in the Vanderbilt House. In 1889 he came to Binghamton and worked in 
the Crandall House bar, but soon afterward went to St. Paul, Minn , remaining only 
a few months, and then returned to this city. He was employed successively by 
such popular proprietors as J. D. Stratton, Mott E.Boss and the Crandall House, 
but in 1893 he opened the Opera Cafe, a popular and well managed resort for men. 
The proprietor himself is a quiet and companionable gentleman and takes an earnest 
interest in all that pertams to the welfare of the city. In 1887 Mr. Didier married 
Anna, daughter of the late Jacob Fess, of this city. One daughter has been born of 
this marriage. 



Wales, Charles S., owner and proprietor of "The Wales," the only well equipped 
commercial hotel on the North Side, is a native of Union, born December 9, 1863. 
He is a son of Charles Wales, a veteran landlord of the city, whose proprietorship of 
the once famous Chenango House dates back to 1869. Mr. Wales still lives in the 
city on the north side in which busy locality he and his sons have been important 
factors in business life. Charles Wales built the "North Side" Hotel in 1884 and 
was its proprietor until 1889, when his sons A. G. Wales (now sheriff) and Charles 
S. Wales succeeded him in business. In 1894 A. (t. Wales became deputy sheriff 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 871 

(and was elected sheriff in November, 1896), upon which C. S. Wales became sole 
proprietor of the hotel, the name of which was changed to " The Wales" in Febru- 
ary, 1899. Mr. Wales is one of the active young business men of the north side, and 
his popularity as a landlord is shown in the fact that his hotel is generally filled with 
guests. Its capacity is forty rooms. On November 28, 1883, Mr. Wale-; married 
Alice, daughter of Ira Gardner of Conklin. They have two children. 



Williams, Charles R., senior partner in the dry goods firm of C. R. Williams & 
Son, doing business on the North Side, has been identified with mercantile life in 
Binghamton since 1863. He is a native of New Milford, born September 11, 1839, 
and is a son of the late Solomon R. Williams, a Susquehanna county farmer for 
many years, but who died in this city. At the age of fifteen years Charles started 
out to make his own way in life, working as a clerk a few years and afterward learn- 
ing the tailor's trade in Marathon with his brother. He worked as journeyman tail- 
or in Marathon and New Milford, but in 1863 he became clerk in the dry goods store 
of I. N. Hine & Co. in the then village of Binghamton. After ten years with that 
firm he engaged with D. M. & E. G. Halbut, in whose employ he remained eight 
more years. In 1881 he became partner in the firm of Hills, McLean & Williams, 
one of the largest dry goods stores in the southern tier. Mr. Williams was the only 
member of the firm who was known to our people, and his name in the concern cer- 
tainly had a beneficial effect, for his acquaintance was both extensive and favorable 
among the people of the county. In June, 1895, Mr. Williams withdrew from the 
firm, and in November, 1897, opened a large and well stocked general dry goods 
store on Chenango street ; and we may here remark that not all the buyers living on 
the North Side find it necessary to trade with the large department stores " down 
town." Indeed, it is not necessary to go further than C. R. Williams & Son's store 
to find almost any desired article in the dry goods line. Mr. Williams is prominently 
connected with the Centenary M. E. church, having been a member since 1863 and 
an officer since 1870. On September 7, 1861, Mr. Williams married Almira Johnson, 
of Marathon, by whom he had four children. 



Doolittle, Joseph E., senior partner in the firm of Doolittle& Smith, proprietors of 
the well known Troy Steam Laundry at 152 State street, has been a resident in this 
city since 1890. But Mr. Doolittle is a descendant of one of the pioneers of Coles- 
ville, his great-grandfather having settled among the Indians in that part of the 
county during the early years of the present century. Mr. Doolittle was born in 
Colesville in 1858, and is the son of Stephen and the grand.son of John Doolittle. He 
lived in his native town until 1883, when he went to Lyons. Kansas, and worked 
two years in a pottery. He then returned home and soon afterward came to Bing- 
hamton. His first business in the city was proprietor of a towel supply, which he 
has conducted to the present time. In 1892, in partnership with George H. Smith 
he purchased the Troy Steam Laundry, re-established it upon a paying basis, and 
made it one of the best establishments of its kind in the city. Mr. Doolittle is an 
enterprising young business man and a factor for good in Binghamton. His wife, 
whom he married in 1881, is Mary J., daughter of the late Marvin Frear. formerly 
of Harpersville and afterwards of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle have three 
daughters. 



S72 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

Bishop, George A., surgeon dentist in this city for a period of thirty years, is a 
native of Binghamton, born March 2, 1847, and is the son of the late Beriah Bishop, 
the latter a carpenter by trade and an old resident of this vicinity. Nathaniel 
Bishop, father of Beriah and grandfather of George A., was one of the pioneers of 
Chenango, having settled near Kattelville (or Cape Street, as once known) early in 
the century. Beriah Bishop died in 1873. George A. Bishop spent his young life in 
the vicinity of Binghamton and attended the old Ashery District School. In the fall 
of 1861 he " ran away" from home and enlisted in Capt. Jay's Co. F, 27th N. Y. In- 
fantry, joining the regiment in camp on the Potomac opposite Washington. After 
McClellan's campaign on the peninsula. Comrade Bishop was taken ill with fever 
and was sent to the general hospital at Philadelphia, where he was honorably dis- 
charged for disabilities June 4, 1862. He then returned north and spent the next 
year at home, regaining health and strength, and on December 25, 1863, he enlisted 
in Co. E (Capt. Milo B. Eldridge, and afterward Capt. Bristol). 137th N. Y. Vol. Inf. 
With this regiment he again went to the front and shared the successes and hard- 
ships of that famous Broome county command in Sherman's historic " March to the 
Sea." In the engagement at Lost Mountain, June 15, 1864, Comrade Bishop re- 
ceived a serious bullet wound in the head, and again was sent to the hospital. On 
May 18, 1865, at Nashville, Tenn., by orders of Major-Gen. Thomas, he was honor- 
ably discharged from service. He then returned home and soon afterward became 
a dental student under Dr. Eli Sweet who was practicing dentistry in Whitney 
Point. Having become fully proficient in the art. Dr. Bishop began practice in this 
city in 1872, in partnership with Thomas J. Wheaton, who is still well remembered 
by our older residents. Dr. Wheaton removed to Wilke-Barre, Pa., in 1874, since 
which time Dr. Bishop has been in constant practice in this city to the present time. 
For a period of sixteen years his parlors were located over Sears' book store on 
Court street, but in 1890 he removed to the busy north side, No. 233 Chenango 
street. Dr. Bishop is not only one of the oldest and best dentists in the city, but 
he is numbered among our best citizens. He served ten years as school commis- 
sioner, and was president of the board of education two terms. He also served six 
years as member of the city board of health and otherwise has been an important 
factor in city history. He was master of Binghamton Lodge No. 177, from Decem- 
ber, 1887, to December, 1890, and is also a member of the Binghamton Chapter and 
Malta Commandery. On May 17, 1866, George A. Bishop married Elizabeth Spohn ; 
of this marriage six children have been born, of whom four are now living. 



Mead, Cyrus, was born in the town of Roxbury, Delaware county, N. Y. At the 
age of nineteen he entered into co-partnership with his uncle, Chauncey Keator, in 
the business of general merchants, under the firm name of Keator & Mead. He was 
first appointed postmaster during Millard Fillmore's administration and continued 
business in the town of Roxbury for six years, at the end of which time the firm was 
dissolved. In 1851 Mr. Mead opened a store at Margaretville, Delaware county, and 
in 1861 was again appointed postmaster, in which office he continued during both 
terms for which Abraham Lincoln was elected, and also during both terms of Gen- 
eral Grant. On account of ill health he resigned the office of postmaster in 1873 and 
retired from active mercantile business, thereafter devoting his time to his real 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 873 

estate interests and securities. In 1877 he removed from Margaretville to Pough- 
keepsie, where he spent three years, coming to Binghamton in 1880. Since his resi- 
dence here he has devoted most of his time to the care of his numerous investments 
and real estate. He has been a Mason for forty years. 



Buckland, William O., was born in Coventry, Chenango county, October 16. 1862, 
and was the son of Selden L., and Clarissa L. (Gilmore) Buckland. His early edu- 
cation was acquired in the district schools, and at the age of twelve years he began 
to make his own way in life. In the fall of 1874 he came to Binghamton and learned 
the trade of cigar making. After working several years as a journeyman, he went 
into business with William Clark, under the firm name of Buckland & Clark, and put 
the famous " Druggist" cigar on the market. After about three years Mr. Buckland 
sold his interest in the business, and in April, 1893, became partner with William 
Slattery in a wholesale and retail tobacco business, under the style of Slattery & 
Buckland. This is one of the largest tobacco jobbing firms in the city, and con- 
nected with it is a cigar factory employing several workmen. Both partners are 
young and active business men, successful in their endeavors, and worthy of all the 
success they have achieved. Mr. Buckland is a prominent Mason, and recently pre- 
pared a concise history of the craft in Binghamton. He is one of our best types of the 
self made man of the present day, for whatever success has rewarded his efforts has 
been wholly the result of his own energy and perseverance. On June 6, 1886, Mr. 
Buckland was united in marriage to Emily Race of this city. 



Willey, Albert L. , has been a resident of Binghamton since 1894, yet by his exten- 
sive operations in real estate in Lestershire, and also in this city, he has taken a 
prominent place among our most energetic and successful business men. Mr. Willey 
is a native of Freeville, Tompkins county, born January 18, 1855, and is the son of 
the late Samuel B. Willey, a farmer of Dryden. Previous to coming to Bmghamton 
Albert L. Willey was a farmer, merchant and general dealer in produce and stock, 
with a seat of business at Freeville. In 1894 he exchanged a Schuyler county farm 
for a livery stock in the city, which transaction brought him to the city, thereby in- 
creasing our force of good business men. In less than two years the livery was sold, 
after which Mr. Willey embarked in general real estate enterprises. His name be- 
came especially well known in the spring of 1898 in connection with the purchase of 
the Allen tract of twenty-seven acres of land in Lestershire, which he subdivided 
into 168 lots. Of this number 110 lots were sold in 1898, a record rarely equalled in 
this locality even by our old and bold operators. In the spring of 1899, in company 
with Frank W. Boyce, Mr. Willey purchased the Cook tract in Lestershire (seven- 
teen acres in extent), which was subdivided and of which more than fifty lots have 
already been sold. Taken altogether, it is doubtful if this record of sales has ever 
been equalled in the history of this city or of its enterprising suburb of Lestershire. 
The results of both of these ventures have been entirely satisfactory to their pro- 
moters, and attest the business capacity both of Mr. Willey and Mr. Boyce. Mr. 
Willey married Helen E. Willey, widow of Samuel E. Willey. brother of the subject 
of this sketch. By her first marriage Mrs. Willey had two sons— Horace N. Willey, 
principal of the Union school at Tioga Centre, and F Ray Willey. merchant at 
Freeville. Mrs. Willey's maiden name was Helen E. Head. 



874 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

Dunham, Martin A , who for the past six years has acceptably filled the important 
office of Great Chief of the Records, I. O. R. M. , was a native of Barker, this county, 
born February 22, 1858, and was the youngest of six children of Lewis and Lydia A. 
(Fuller) Dunham. During Martin's youth his father was a farmer, but about 1870 he 
moved to Whitney's Point and engaged in the meat business. Martin was sent to 
school at the academy, but before many years had passed he left his books and be- 
came a butcher and practical meat cutter, doing business with his father. Four 
years later under the firm name of Dunham & Son. they started a grocery and pro- 
vision store in Whitney's Point, and continued it three years. In 1880 Martin A. 
Dunham became a student at the Kingston Seminary, and in the early part of the 
next year was appointed to the charge of the M. E. churches at West Exeter and 
Schuyler's Lake, Otsego county. He remained on this charge three years, and was 
then appointed to the pastorate of the church at Chenango Forks, but at the end of 
a single year physical disability compelled his retirement from the pulpit. He then 
returned to Whitney's Point and engaged in a general meat business in partnership 
with his brother, Edwin Dunham, but at the end of one year he came to Bingham- 
ton and purchased an interest in a similar business in the city. After five years he 
sold out and for the next year was employed as salesman and in the office of the 
Binghamton Pork Packing Company. la 1892 he leased the Parlor City laundry and 
operated it one year. In 1893 he was elected Great Chief Keeper of Records of the 
Improved Order of Red Men, of this State, and has been annually re-elected to the 
present time. In 1896 and 1897, Mr. Dunham was one of the city supervisors. He 
is an earnest Republican though not specially active in politics. On December 30, 
1879, Martin A. Dunham was united in marriage to Jennie Young, of Triangle. 
They have two children by adoption. 



Wentz, John E., city assessor since 1895, has been an almost life-long resident of 
Binghamton, and has in many ways been identified with the growth of the city. He 
was born in Springville, Susquehanna county. Pa., April 10, 1829, and in 1838 came 
with his father's family to the village. At the age of eighteen years he began work 
as carpenter apprentice under Lewis & Wells, and afterward followed the trade until 
1854, when he removed to Upper Lisle. From the latter place, in 1868, he went to 
Englewood, N. J., where he was a member of the firm of Wentz & Bennett, contrac- 
tors and builders. In 1871 Mr. Wentz returned to this city and was identified with 
building operations in this locality until 1880, when he went to Pennsylvania and be- 
came an oil producer in the Bradford district; but he gradually returned to his old 
avocation and began building. In the years 1883, '84 and '85 Mr. Wentz, under a 
contract with a company of mining operators, built nearly 500 houses in a single 
locality called Peale, Pa. ; and from this fact he was afterward frequently referred to 
in that region as " the Father of Peale." In 1887 Mr. Wentz returned to Bingham- 
ton and resumed building. His time was thus employed until 1895, when he was 
elected city assessor to succeed Capt. Bray, and re-elected in 1899 for a term of four 
years. Mr. Wentz is a Republican of more than forty years' standing. While liv. 
ing in Upper Lisle he was supervisor of Triangle in 1860 and again in 1862, in the 
latter year being chairman of the board of supervisors. He was elected alderman of 
the Twelfth ward in 1890, and in the same office represented the Thirteenth ward in 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 875 

1891, '92, '93 and '94, resigning January 14, 1895, on his nomination for the assessor- 
ship. From 1892 to the time of his resignation Mr. Wentz was president of the Com- 
mon Council ; and while it is contrary to the policy of this work to comment upon the 
career of any of our city officials, both candor and fairness compel the statement 
that Mr. Wentz was one of the best presiding officers ever chosen by the council. 
Mr. Wentz' wife is Charlotte, daughter of the late John Burghardt, of Triangle. 
Their children were Lottie, who married Dr. R. T. Davidson, of Brooklyn, N. Y., 
and is now dead; Mary, wife of James Lauder, of the firm of Isaac Lauder & Son, 
and John Emory Wentz, who died in 1873. 



Springer, Henry G., junior member of the grocery firm of Collins & Springer and 
also one of the most active young business men of the Fifth ward, is a native of Port 
Crane, this county, born October 1, 1869. He is the son of Edmund T. Springer, 
the latter a native of Colesville and a descendant of one of the substantial old fami- 
lies of that town. Henry was brought up to farm work, living at home and attend- 
ing school until 1883, when he came to the city and was employed as a clerk in Wra. 
H. Mosher's grocery store on Court street. In August, 1891, Mr. Springer in part- 
nership with James E. Collins, who also was a former employee of Mr. Mosher, went 
into business on De Russey street, under the firm name of Collins & Springer. The 
firm is now doing business at the corner of De Russey street and Vestal avenue, and 
enjoys a good share of the public patronage; and what is more, the confidence and 
respect of the entire locality. Mr. Collins served one term as supervisor, but Mr. 
Springer has not sought political honors. On October 4, 1893, Henry G. Springer 
married Bertha D. Edson, of Bingham ton, by whom he has two children, Roy H. 
and Ray E. 



Aldrich, Charles D., who has been city assessor since 1887, and for several years 
chairman of the board, is a native of Binghamton, born February 13, 1849, and is the 
son of Solomon Aldrich, the latter a life-long resident of Broome county. Charles 
was educated in the Binghamton public schools, but early turned his attention to 
farm work, having the management of several large farm tracts owned by his father. 
He was also at one time associated with his father in the real estate business, under 
the firm style of S. Aldrich & Son. In this way he became well acquainted with real 
estate values in general in the city, which fact led to his nomination by the Republi- 
can city convention in February, 1887, for the office of assessor. He was elected at 
the polls and has been re-elected at the expiration of each term to the present time. 
Mr. Aldrich is the owner and occupant of a portion of the old " Dr. Gandolfo farm." 
now known as "The Acorns," on the Hawley ton turnpike (Pennsylvania avenue). 
The tract formerlv comprised about ninety-five acres of land, eighty acres of which 
was sold by Solomon and Charles D. Aldrich for the purposes of a Commercial 
Traveler's Home. 

Hallock. Frederick M., deputy collector of internal revenue for the 21st district of 
New York, was born in Collinsville. Lewis county, November 2, 1840, and in 18oJ 



816 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

came to Binghamton and was employed as clerk in the store of Kelley, Hallock & 
Cook (Mr. Hallock of the firm was the late Wallace B. Hallock, brother of Fred M. 
Hallock). In 1862 the young man left the store and enlisted as first lieutenant, Co. 
A, 137th N. Y. Vol. Inf. After about one j-ear's service with the regiment, Lieut. 
Hallock was ordered to duty on Gen John C. Robinson's staff, as aid with the rank 
of major, where he served until he was mustered out of service, June 19, 1865. For 
about three years following his return from the service Major Hallock was in busi- 
ness in Saginaw, Mich., after which in 1869, he came to this city and established the 
firm of Hallock Bros. & Co., continuing until 1879. The next ten years were spent 
in the Pennsylvania oil fields, but much of the time since 1890 Mr. Hallock has been 
identified with business interests in this city. His appointment as deputy collector 
of internal revenue for the 21st district of New York, dates from October 1, 1898. 



Felter, Darwin, superintendent of the city water works for the last twenty-five 
years, came to Binghamton to live in 1853, and from that time to the present he in- 
deed has been an important figure in local history. Mr. Felter came here when 
Binghamton was a village of hardly more than 5,000 population and has witnessed 
and been a factor in subsequent splendid growth and development into a city of 
nearly 50,000 inhabitants. At the age of about eighteen years Mr. Felter began 
work as an apprentice to the trade of millwright, and at the end of four years was a 
competent, skilled workman. He then started out to make his own way in life. He 
erected mills, tanneries and other factory buildings in southern New York and north- 
ern Pennsylvania and in other localities, making his home and seat of operations in 
New Milford, in the neighboring county .of Susquehanna, but in 1853, having in that 
year married the daughter of one of Binghamton's old families, he came here to live. 
He continued work at his trade of master millwright until 1875, when he was ap- 
pointed superintendent of the city water works, the system then being in such condi- 
tion that the .services of a skilled mechanic were absolutely necessary. Mr. Felter 
at once accepted the position and straightforward set about the work of building up 
and extending the water system to keep pace with the rapid growth of the city, and 
while the management of many departments of our municipal government at times 
have been seriously criticised very little fault has ever been found with the water 
supply system. The board of water commissioners is chosen from our active busi- 
ness men, who serve without compensation, hence devote very little time to the af- 
fairs of the office. Thus the actual duty of keeping all branches of the system in 
perfect running order has generally devolved on the superintendent, and the results 
of the last quarter of a century have shown that duty has been faithfully and satis- 
factorily performed. Mr. Felter has for many years taken an interest in the general 
affairs of the city outside of his present official connection. He was a member of the 
old fire department, serving with Independent Engine Co. No. 5, and he now is a 
member of the Exempt Firemen's Association. Politically he is a Republican and 
twice was elected supervisor of the Fifth ward. He also is a member of Otseningo 
lodge, F. & A. M., and Binghamton Chapter, R. A. M. Darwin Felter was born in 
North Blenheim, Schoharie county, September 17, 1828. His first wife was Sarah A., 
daughter of William S. Beard, one of Binghamton's worthy citizens for many years. 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 877 

Mr. Felter's second wife was Margaret S. Stannard, formerly of Elmira. Mrs 
Nellie E. Monroe and William D. Felter are childen of Mr. Felter's first marriage. 



Nichols, Rev. Gideon Parsons, D. D., whose official connection with the First Pres- 
byterian church in this city began in November. 1881, and has continued to the pres- 
ent time, and during whose pastorate the church has increased in strength and in- 
fluence far beyond its growth in any like period in preceding years, is descended 
from substantial New England ancestry, the only child of Abiel and Jerusha (Knight) 
Nichols. He was born July 30, 1837, and prepared for college at the Geneseo acad- 
emy, in Livingston county, N Y. He then entered Union college, and was grad- 
uated in 1860, taking the degree of M. A., soon after which he taught Latin and 
Greek in Warnerville academy, Schoharie county, where he remained two years. 
But our young teacher had previously determined to enter the Presbyterian ministry, 
and had devoted much time to earnest thought and preparation to that end. He 
then became a student in the Princeton Theological seminary, where he was grad- 
uated in 1865; and at Rochester, N. Y., in the fall of the same year he was ordained 
a minister of the gospel. His first charge was at Victor, Ontario county, where he 
remained three years, then accepting a call to the Olivet Presbyterian church of 
Chicago, but soon afterv^rard removing to Milwaukee in response to a pastoral call 
from that city. Here he united the Old and New School Presbyterian churches and 
added still further to their strength by receiving the membership of a troubled Con- 
gregational church. However, in 1881, Dr. Nichols yielded to the persuasions of the 
First Presbyterian church of this city and became its pastoral head in November of 
that year. That pastorate, extending over a period of almo.st twenty years, is not 
yet ended, and all our people are earnestly desirous that it may not end for many 
years to come, for through the Christian life, teachings and leadership of Dr. Nichols 
as the head of the mother society of Presbyterianism in Binghamton other churches 
of the same denomination have been established, while all Evangelical societies have 
been benefited by his kindly influence and advice. One of Mr. Nichols' recent 
biographers has truthfully said: " His reputation extends to all the churches, and 
his ministry has been of constant, increasing good and edification among the people 
of this city." On June 22, 1871, at Rochester, N. Y., Gideon Parsons Nichols and 
Delia B. Nichols were united in marriage. Their children are Robert Hastings, 
Margaret Parsons, Henry James, Content Shepard and James Knight Nichols, all 
of this city. 

Bean, Chauncey, first became identified with the business history of this city in 
1868, when the original firm of Marks & Bean (Byron Marks, Robert Hooper, Jere- 
miah Bean and Chauncey Bean) started a wholesale grocery and provision house. 
In the course of a few years Mr. Marks retired from the firm, and was soon followed 
by Mr. Hooper, after which the business was continued by Jeremiah and Chauncey 
Bean under the partnership name of Bean & Co. Still later Jeremiah Bean retired 
from active business, upon which the present firm name of Bean & Co. was estab- 
lished. Chauncey Bean retired in 1885, yet he still retains an interest in the busi- 
ness of the house of which he was one of the founders more than thirty years ago. 
The present active members of the firm of Bean & Co. are Irving W. Bean, nephew. 



878 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

and Arthur J. Bean, son of Chauncey Bean. Chauncey Bean was born in Solon, 
Cortland county, October 29, 1818, the son of Josiah Bean, the latter being a sturdy 
New Hampshire Yankee by birth and a pioneer farmer in Cortland county, N. Y. 
In Josiah Bean's family were six .sons and six daughters. When about eighteen 
years old Chauncey left the home farm and became a clerk in the store of his brother 
Jeremiah, remaining with him five years. In 1841 he went into business with John 
S. Dyer, the firm being Dyer & Bean, general merchants, at Willett, Cortland 
county. In 1850, the store at Willett having been sold, Mr. Bean became partner 
with his brother Jeremiah at Cincinnatus, carrying on a large country store under 
the firm name of J. & C. Bean. In 1856 this business was sold, and in the next year 
Chauncey Bean removed to Ottawa, 111., where he did business eleven years, then 
sold out and at the request of his brother came to Binghamton in 1868 (Jeremiah 
Bean having removed here with his family in 1867) and became partner in the firm 
of Marks & Bean, as before mentioned. Chauncey Bean is the only survivor of the 
old firm, and indeed is one of our city's oldest business men. Although now practi- 
cally retired from active pursuits, his interest in the welfare of the city has never 
abated, and every measure proposed for the public good finds in him an earnest sup- 
porter. In 1845 Mr. Bean married Jane E., daughter of Justin Morgan, of Brim- 
field, Mass. Of this marriage four children were born: Arthur J. Bean, of the firm 
of Bean & Co. ; Frank, who died in infancy; Mary, who married Charles M. Jarvis, 
president of the Berlin Bridge Co., East Berlin, Conn., and a native of this city; and 
Sarah J. Bean, wife of Rev. Archibald Hadden, pastor of the First Congregational 
Church of Muskegan, Mich. For many years Mr. Bean has been a member and of 
his means liberal supporter of the Congregational Church. 



Lyons, Daniel, at nineteen years of age began his business career in Binghamton 
with a cash capital of fifty cents. He first entered the store of the late Paul Pitts, 
but left him two years later to learn the trade of cabinetmaking under Chester 
Wells, brother of ex-Mayor J. Stuart Wells, and finished his trade at Schenectady. 
Returning to Binghamton, he was successively an employee in the grocery store of 
Erastus Ross; proprietor of the same business; proprietor of a commission, general 
merchandise and auction house; and jobber in notions, hosiery, crockery, etc. As 
town clerk Mr. Lyons began his official career when Binghamton was only a village. 
He was a member of the first board of aldermen of the city of Binghamton, was re- 
elected and during the first year of his second term served as president of the board. 
He was fire marshal for two years, and is now an exempt fireman ; was also railroad 
commissioner for the city. Mr. Lyons was a member of the board of education for 
more than sixteen years, and part of the time was its president. In 1884 he was the 
Republican candidate for mayor. Mr. Lyons helped to found the Church of the 
Good Shepherd, of which he is now a warden. He is a trustee of the House of the 
Good Shepherd and is akso a trustee of the Barlow Industrial School. He is an Odd 
Fellow, and a member of Otseningo Lodge, F. & A. M., and is a charter member of 
the board of trade. When Mr. Lyons' father, who was widely known as Deacon 
Lyons, and who finally settled in Great Bend, first passed through Binghamton 
there were but three houses here, two on the west side of the Chenango river and 
one — a hotel — where is now the Misses Hyde's School. Mr. Lyons married the 
daughter of the late S. J. Olmstead, who settled here in 1839. 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 879 

Aldrich, Solomon, was born in the town of Union, December 19, 1822. one of 
thirteen children of Charles Aldrich, the latter being descended from Vermont Revo- 
lutionary stock and a pioneer on Coxe's manor in Tioga county. Charles Aldrich 
made the first brick manufactured in Binghamton, working for Gen. Whitney. In 
1840 Solomon Aldrich learned the carpenter's trade with Stephen Baxter, and'in the 
following year began work for himself; and from that time to about 1870 he was 
actively engaged in contract work in Binghamton. During the same period he en- 
gaged extensively in buying and selling real property, and continued the latter pur- 
suit after his building operations were discontinued. It is probably true that during 
the sixty years of his active business life Mr. Aldrich erected as many if not more 
buildings than any other contractor in Binghamton, and the county records will dis- 
close the fact also that he has been the owner of as many parcels of land as any 
dealer in the county. Mr. Aldrich was twice married, his first wife being Eliza Ann, 
daughter of Captain Coles Bloomer, of the town of Union and afterward of Bing- 
hamton. Four children. Coles B., Charles D., Lewis C. and Eliza Ann Aldrich were 
born of this marriage. His second wife was Josephine L., daughter of Solomon 
Orcutt. 



Talbot, James L. , is a native of Binghamton and is one of eight children of Joseph 
and Emily Talbot. All, save one, of these sous and daughters are settled in this 
immediate vicinity ; all are grown toman's and woman's estate, and are earnestly 
engaged in some honest avocation in business life. In 1862 James L. Talbot enlisted 
in the 114th N. Y. Vol. Inf., and served with that regiment throughout the war. 
Since 1866 he has been a prosperous contractor and builder in different places, but 
most of the time in Binghamton. In 1877-8 he served on the committee of twelve 
appointed by the New York State Senate to erect a §2,500 monument to the memory 
of the dead of the 114th Regiment. Mr. Talbot has been an active figure in city 
politics; is a firm Republican, and a full believer in honest political methods. 
For two years he represented the Fifth ward in the Common Council, and was chair- 
man of the committee on city buildings and property ; and it was largely due to his 
influence that the new city hospital was located in the Fifth ward. He was one of 
the leading spirits of the movement which resulted in the performance of city work 
by the day rather than by contract. Mr. Talbot is a member of Binghamton Lodge 
No. 177, F. & A. M., and also of Watrous Post, G. A. R. 



Bayless, John, who for more than thirty years has been identified with the busi- 
ness history of this city and also of Broome county, is a native of the town of Conk- 
lin. Broome county. He is the son of the late Gen. John Bayless, who for many 
years was a prominent resident of Conklin, and whose later life was spent in this 
c^'ty, where he died in 1873. The pioneer of the Bayless family in Conklm was Sam- 
uel Bayless, who came from New Jersey during the early years of the century, and 
who was descended from John Bayless of New Jersey, the latter being one of the 
grantees named in a deed from the Indians which carried title to 200,000 acres of 
land between the Raritan and Harlem rivers. John Bayless (of this city) left the 
home farm in Conklin when he was twenty years old, and thereafter spent several 
years in Kansas, engaged in several successful enterprises. About the beginning of 



880 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

the war of 1861-5 he returned to Conklin and went into the lumber business at Cor- 
bettsville and still later became interested in several acid factories as generally 
known. He removed to this city in 1869. For many years Mr. Bayless has been 
business partner with Jehiel W. Berkalew, of Kirkwood, the firm having acid fac- 
tories near Deposit and Gulf Summit ; and for more than twenty-five years he was 
partner with E. A Beman, of this city. Mr. Bayless and his son George built the 
pulp and paper mill, now known as the Bayless Pulp and Paper Company. Mr. 
Bayless with Mr. Berkalew built the Rossville acid factory, which was one of the first 
industries of its kind in the region. In fact, he is one of the earliest acid manufac- 
turers in the country, his first factory ranking about third in order of construction. 
Mr. Bayless also has been and is connected with several other business institutions 
in the city. He is a director of the City National Bank, one of the trustees of the 
Binghamton Savings Bank, and also is a member and treasurer of che board of water 
commissioners of the city. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church and for 
several years was treasurer and trustee of the society. Mr. Bayless' s first wife was 
Amanda, daughter of Sewell Corbett, the latter for many years one of Conklin's fore- 
most men. George C. and Franklin J. Bayless are sons of the marriage just men- 
tioned. Mr. Bayless's j^resent wife is Addie, daughter of the late Ira Corbett, who 
also was for years a prominent figure in Conklin history. One daughter has been 
born of the marriage last mentioned. 



McCall, Charles W., D. D. S., is a native of Franklin, Delaware county, born Au- 
gust 24, 1850, the son of Dr. Simeon Howell and Martha (Squire) McCall. Dr. 
McCall, the father, was for many years a prominent figure in Binghamton history 
and is remembered as one of our most worthy former citizens. He was educated for 
the medical profession at Woodstock Medical college, and began his career at Frank- 
lin, Delaware county, thence removing to Batavia, where in connection with his 
practice he had charge of a sanitarium. However, after five years practice Dr. 
McCall studied dentistry with Dr. Fellows, of Albion, and -in 1854 came to Bingham- 
ton and opened an office. In 1855 he became partner with Dr. A. D. Turner, the firm 
continuing until 1861, when Dr. McCall formed a partnership with Dr. Hoal Hodge, 
the style being Hodge & McCall, a name known in Binghamton almost twenty years. 
The partnership, however, was dissolved in 1870, after which Dr. McCall practiced 
alone until 1877, when he became professionally associated with his son. Dr. Charles 
W. McCall, the latter then having recently entered the profession. This relation 
was continued until the death of the senior member, Decembr 10, 1882. Charles W. 
McCall was educated in the Binghamton schools, chiefly in the old academy, but on 
account of an injury to one of his eyes, he left school at the age of fourteen years and 
began work as clerk. At the age of eighteen years he began the study of dentistry 
with Hodge & McCall, continuing two years. He then went to South Orange, N. J., 
where he opened an office for general practice, devoting, however, onlj^ one-half of 
each day to actual work, the other half day being occupied with attendance at a 
coure of lectures at the Medical college. University of New York, and afterward with 
one year's attendance (a full course) at the New York Dental college. He was grad- 
uated in 1876, standing fourth in a class of thirty, which indeed was an excellent re- 
cord when we consider that the young graduate maintained himself throughout his 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 



881 



university and college course by devoting half of his time to actual work After 
naving graduated Dr. McCall continued practice a short time in South Orange and 
in 1877 returned to Binghamton and engaged in bu.siness with his father Upon the 
death of the latter, the son succeeded the firm and since has continued professional 
work in this city. Like his father, Dr. Charles W. McCall takes an active interest in 
the affairs of the Sixth Judicial District Dental society, having twice been its presi- 
dent and several times one of its censors. He has been one of the trustees of the 
Barlow School of Industrial Arts since the board was established, and also was a 
charter member (and has been president) of the Dobson club. On April 7. 1880 
Charles W. McCall married Elizabeth Lyon, daughter of D. V. Mandeville, of this 
city. John Oppie McCall, now a student in Yale, is the adopted son of Dr and Mrs 
McCall. 



Doubleday. Rev. William Thomas, son of the late Dr. Ammi Doubleday. was 
born in Binghamton, March 28, 1818, and is one of the oldest living natives of the 
place. In 1818 Dr. Doubleday lived at the southwest corner of Court and Washing- 
ton streets, as now known. He was one of the foremost men in the village for many 
years, and possessed considerable means as well as a strong influence among our 
early village people. William attended several select schools in the village, notably 
that at the corner of Franklin (now Washington) and Park (now Hawley) streets, 
also in the second story of a frame building standing near where is now G. E. Hall's 
confectionery store; also at the southeast corner of Main and Front streets; also in 
the " Masonic Temple" building on the west side of Front street, about where now 
stands Lewis S. Abbott's residence. At the age of fifteen years William was taken 
by his father to Amherst, Mass., where he entered the Academic School. The late 
William M. Ely accompanied them on the trip and was also a student in the same 
school. Dr. Doubleday drove the entire distance with a double team of horses. In 
1834 young Doubleday was a student in Amherst Academy, and from the close of 
that year until 1836 he was in Amherst College. In 1836 he entered Yale College 
and was graduated in 1838, hence is among the oldest living alumni of that cele- 
brated institution. He then determined to enter the Presbyterian ministry and in 
the fall of 1839 entered Union Theological Seminary, where he remained, with a 
year's absence, until 1843. In August following he accepted a call from the church 
at Bainbridge, Chenango county, .and from that time until his retirement from the 
pastorate in 1878 Mr. Doubleday was a faithful worker in the service of his Master, 
although during the long period he was frequently compelled by ill health to tempo- 
rarily discontinue his labors. It is not thought necessary in this sketch to follow in 
detail the itinerary of his several pastorates, yet it is proper to mention that he was 
either supply or pastor of the churches at Bainbridge, Truxton, Gilbertsville and 
Delhi in this State. In December, 1863, he went to the church at Goshen, Conn., 
but poor health compelled his early retirement from that field. In October, 1871, he 
removed to Vineland, N. J., for entire rest and change of climate. His health being 
in a measure restored, Mr. Doubleday was able to preach occasionally, but in 1878 
he returned to Binghamton, where he has since lived in quiet and permanent retire- 
ment. On May 14, 1844, Mr. Doubleday married Frances M., daughter of Francis 
and Eliza Doremus of New York city; the children of this marriage were Susan 
56 



883 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

Oaldwell (now deceased), and Frances C. Doubleday. Mrs. Doubleday died in 
April, 1882. 



Dunn, George W., more frequently known among the public men in New York 
State and also throughout his widely extended social and political acquaintance as 
Colonel Dunn, is a native of Broome county, born in the old town of Chenango, No- 
vember 27, 1840. He is the son of the late John and Isabella (Black) Dunn, an early 
family in this locality. His father was a native of Albany county, and his mother 
was descended from sturdy New England stock. Colonel Dunn (thus shall we men- 
tion him in this sketch although his military title was not acquired until the closing 
years of the Civil war) spent his early life in the town of Chenango and the village 
of Binghamton, where he was educated in the district schools, the Susquehanna 
Seminary and also in a business college ; he was just prepared for active business 
life when war was declared between the North and the South. In May, 1861, he en- 
listed in Co. C, 27th N. Y. Vol. Inf., and was appointed sergeant. At the first Bull 
Run battle he was taken prisoner, and was thus held at Richmond, New Orleans 
and Salisbury until June 1, 1862, when he was paroled. He then returned to the 
Union lines and was afterward exchanged. 

Notwithstanding that Colonel Dunn's health was seriously affected by his confine- 
ment in southern prisons, he soon returned to army life. During the summer 
months of 1862, the 109th Regiment of Infantry was raised in Broome, Tioga and 
Tompkins counties, Broome furnishing the greater number of men. For this com- 
mand Colonel Dunn recruited Co. D, and was elected its captain, his commission, 
however, dating from October 10. The regiment was mustered into service August 
27. The arduous service of the 109th began in May, 1864, in the Wilderness cam- 
paign, and was continued almost without even temporary relief until the final sur- 
render in 1865. At Spottsylvania Captain Dunn was wounded, though not seriously. 
On July 14 he was promoted major, and after the terrible mine explosion at Peters- 
burg, Va., July 30, Colonel Catlin having lost a leg and Major Stillson also being 
wounded, the command of the regiment devolved upon Major Dunn. For meritori- 
ous service as line and field officer Major Dunn was afterward advanced to the rank 
of colonel by which title he has ever since been known. On May 8, 1865, in accord- 
ance with general orders authorizing the retirement of officers who had served con- 
tinuously for three years, he was honorably discharged from service. 

Soon after returning home Colonel Dunn engaged in business in Elmira, but at 
the end of one year he joined a mining expedition to Honduras, Central America. 
The tropical climate, however, had a serious effect upon his health, compelling his 
return north in the fall of 1866. In 1868 he was appointed superintendent of public 
documents published by Congress, at Washington, and remained in that position 
until he was elected sheriff of Broome county in the fall of 1875. 

From the date of his election to the office of sheriff to the present time, Colonel 
Dunn has been a resident of our city, and it may truthfully be said he indeed has 
been an important factor in Binghamton history throughout the period. After the 
expiration of his term as sheriff, he became prominently connected with the consoli- 
dation of our leading daily papers, the Republican and the Times, and upon the re- 
organization of the publishing company then effected he was chosen treasurer and 



.-p^^ \'^ 



% 




GEORGE W. DUNN. 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 883 

business manager. This relation was continued until his appointment to the city 
postmastership December 20, 1881. He served until August, 1886, and during his 
term (in 1884) a free delivery system was established in the city under his supervi- 
sion. After the appointment of his successor. Colonel Dunn engaged in the real 
estate busmess in partnership with the late Peter K. Burhans, and at the same time 
he also became interested in several manufacturing enterprises. Indeed, in this re- 
spect the colonel has been a factor for good in the industrial history of the city for a 
period of twenty years, although his part in such enterprises has been such as to 
draw no attention to himself. In this connection we may mention that he now is or 
at some time has been president of the Binghamton General Electric Company; vice- 
president of the Bundy Manufacturing Company; director of the Susquehanna Val- 
ley Bank; trustee of the Chenango Valley Savings Bank; director and vice-president 
of the Strong State Bank; director of the Binghamton, Lestershire and Union Rail- 
road Company, and of the Binghamton Wagon Company. Incidentally, it may be 
stated that Colonel Dunn was at one time manager of the Equitable Accident Asso- 
ciation ; president of the board of trustees of the now known Binghamton State Hos- 
pital; and also member of the city excise and police commissions. 

On March 13, 1889, Colonel Dunn was reappointed postmaster and served until 
November 6, 1893. He was clerk of the Assembly in 1894, and on February 16, 1897, 
was appointed by Governor Black to the office of State railroad commissioner, which 
position he now holds. 

It must be seen from what is stated in preceding paragraphs that Colonel Dunn 
has been for twenty-five years an important figure in Broome county political his- 
tory and in the business history of our city nearly the same length of time. It seems 
hardly necessary to here state that he is an undeniably stalwart Republican and that 
all our people know him to be as loyal to his party as he is loyal to his friends. His 
time and his purse have been unstintedly devoted to the promotion of the party wel- 
fare, and the honors he has received from city, county and State appointing powers 
are only the deserved reward of party service and fealty. For many years he has 
been annually chosen as delegate to Republican State Conventions, and likewise has 
served as member of the State committee and also as county committeeman at 
large. 

On November 15, 1870, George W. Dunn married Sarah M., daughter of the late 
Wiley and Maria (Gilmore) Thomas, of Chenango. One daughter, Mabel E. Dunn, 
was born of this marriage. 



Paige, Clinton Freeman— better known in business and Masonic circles as Colonel 
Paige— became a factor in Binghamton history in 1861. in connection with the ex- 
tensive lumbering, milling and farming operations then carried on by Hazard Lewis; 
and from that time to the present Colonel Paige has been closely identified with the 
best history of the city although milling and lumbering enterprises have been re- 
placed with other pursuits. About 1863 Colonel Paige engaged in a general fire in- 
surance business, and in later years became associated with the late Joseph B. Chaf- 
fee, and also with John B. Babcock. the latter now a resident in Philadelphia. The 
old firm of Paige & Chaffee, and also Paige, Chaffee & Babcock. was long known in 
local insurance circles and formed an important element of city business interests. 



884 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

For more than thirty years Colonel Paige was general agent and adjuster for the 
Imperial Insurance Company of London, in the States of New York and Pennsyl- 
vania, but retired from the company's service in 1896, having then been in some 
branch of active business for a period of almost fifty years. 

Mr. Paige was born in Dryden, Tompkins county, September 10, 1837, and was 
the eldest of three children born to Dr. Daniel D. and Lavina (Ballard) Paige. 
When fifteen years old Clinton was left an orphan, after which he went to Cortland 
to live with his uncle, Horatio Ballard, by whom he was educated in the old Cortland 
Academy, and with whom he read law. He was admitted to practice in 1848 and 
soon afterward went to Syracuse, where he became connected with the Syracuse and 
Binghamton Railroad Company, holding the position of secretary during the con- 
struction period and for about two years after the road was completed. About 1856 
he was elected superintendent of the road and served in that capacity until he came 
to Binghamton in 1861 and engaged in business with his father-in-law, the late Col. 
Hazard Lewis. 

Colonel Paige's Masonic record forms an interesting element of his career and is 
worthy of more than incidental mention for he stands among the highest craftsmen 
in the whole country, and has been honored many times with elevation to positions 
of distinguished prominence in the fraternity. Briefly noted, his Masonic record has 
been as follows : March 24, 1853, was made a Mason in Syracuse Lodge No. 102; 
June 7, 1853, became a charter member of Central City Lodge No. 305, and was its 
first junior deacon, then senior deacon, and in December, 1855, became its master, 
continuing in that office until 1860; June 17, 1853, was made R. A. M. in Central 
City Chapter No. 70, and became a captain of the host and king; June 8, 1858, re- 
ceived the degrees of R. & S. master in Central City Council No. 13; December, 
1861, affiliated with Binghamton Chapter No. 139, and within two weeks was elected 
high priest, continuing in that office ten years; December 16, 1853, was knighted in 
Utica Commandery No. 3; March 17, 1856, became a charter member of Central City 
Commandery No. 25, K. T., was its first commander and so remained until Decem- 
ber, 1861 ; April 17, 1863, affiliated with Malta Commandery No. 21, and on the same 
day was elected commander, continuing until 1871. Grand Lodge record: 1856, 
junior grand deacon; 1857, grand marshal; 1858-9, junior grand warden; 1860-61, 
senior warden; 1862, deputy grand master; 1863-4, M. W. grand master; 1865, 
unanimously re-elected grand master but decHned longer service. In 1875 and '76 
Colonel Paige was grand captain of the host in the Grand Chapter of the State. A. 
A. S. R. record: June 4, 1862, received degrees from 4th to 32d in the Supreme 
Council of N. M. J., and on the following day received the 33d degree and from that 
time to October, 1864, was the deputy for the State of New York, when the union of 
the Supreme Councils was effected ; October 20, 1864, was elected an active member 
of the Supreme Council, ad vitam; 1867-73, was grand minister of state; 1873, was 
elected grand secretary general and has ever since held that position by unanimous 
re-election ; 1867, Otseningo Lodge of Perfection was chartered with 111. Bro. Paige 
first senior grand warden, and so continued until elected master; 1867, Otseningo 
Council, Chapter of Rose Croix and Consistory, were chartered with Bro. Paige first 
deputy master of council, first senior grand warden of chapter, and first commander- 
in-chief of the consistory, continuing commander-in-chief of the latter body to the 
present time, and also being the presiding officer of the other bodies in the interim. 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 885 

In the A. A. S. R. Bro. Paige has been representative of the Supreme Council of 
England and Wales, and also of New Granada, and an honorary member of the Su- 
preme Council of Mexico and Canada. He is an honorary member of Holland Lodge 
No. 8, and Independent R A. Chapter No. 2. of New York city; Binghamton Lodge 
No. 177, and Otseningo Lodge No. 435. of Binghamton, and also of Clinton F. Paige 
Lodge No. 620, of Otto, N. Y. This record of membership and prominence is rarely 
equaled in the annals of Free Masonry in this State. 

On June 19, 1855, Clinton F. Paige married Caroline, daughter of Hazard Lewis, 
of Binghamton. The children born of this marriage were Lewis Ballard, Jane (now 
Mrs. Ross) and Edith (now Mrs. Comstock) Paige. 



Beach, George S., was born in Hartford, Conn., January 24. 1837, and is a de- 
scendant from the family of Thomas Beach, the latter being one of three brothers 
(Richard, John and Thomas) who emigrated from England to America in 1638. 
Thomas was granted land in Milford, Conn., in 1652, and died there in 1662, leaving 
five children. His grandson, John, removed with his family in 1738 to Goshen, 
Conn., where he became a man of prominence. He was chosen moderator of the 
first town meeting in Goshen in May, 1757; was deacon in the church; was appointed 
" prosecutor of encroachers on public lands," and remained in civil office until his 
death in 1773, in his eighty-third year. 

Col. Miles Beach, son of John, and grandfather of George S. Beach, was an officer 
in the revolutionary army, served throughout the war, and afterwards settled in 
Hartford. John Beach, son of Miles, and father of George S , was born in 1792. 
He engaged in the manufacture of wire, in wh'ch business his son was associated 
with him. George S. Beach came to Binghamton in 1860, and now lives in the home 
then purchased by him at " Sunnyside," on Mt. Prospect. On January 24, 1860, Mr. 
Beach married Caroline Elizabeth Lawyer, daughter of the late Jacob Lawyer of 
Binghamton. Three children were born of this marriage: Mary Danforth ; George 
William, a practicing physician and surgeon in Paris, France ; and Clarence Edward, 
manager of the Star Electric Company of Binghamton, in whose works on Front 
street about thirty workmen are employed. 

The pioneer of the Lawyer family was Johannes Lawyer, who was born at Dur- 
lach, on the Rhine. He came to this country in 1709, settled in Schoharie county in 
1711, and died in 1763. He left four sons, Jacob Frederick being the ancestor of 
the branch of the family of whom we write. John, son of Jacob Frederick, had 
twelve children, and five of his sons (John, jr., Jacob, Abram, Lambert and David) 
served in the American army during the revolution. Jacob Lawyer, jr., son of Jacob, 
and grandson of John, was born in Fultonham, Schoharie county, in 1806. He mar- 
ried Magdalene Banks in 1826, came to Binghamton with his family in 1839, and died 
here in 1842, aged thirty-six years, leaving four children: Margaret Jane (now Mrs. 
Asa B. Parsons, of Conklin), William S. and George L. Lawyer (of the Binghamton 
Democrat), and Caroline Elizabeth (now Mrs. George S. Beach). His widow sur- 
vived him forty-nine years, dying in 1891, aged eighty-two years. 



Sullivan, James, senior member of the contracting and building firm of Sullivan & 
Badgley, has been a factor in the growth of this city, and of Lestershire for a period 



886 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

of more than twelve years. The firm just mentioned was organized sixteen years 
ago, and became identified with Lestershire history in 1889. Since that time the 
firm has erected twenty-one prominent buildings in the village, among which may 
be mentioned the splendid combined municipal building, fire station and firemen's 
club. For several years Sullivan & Badgley have maintained business offices in this 
city and by their works here have contributed largely to local prosperity, evidences 
of which may be seen in the construction of the West Presbyterian chapel, St. Mary's 
church, the Binghamton Savings bank building, and other large structures. In ad- 
dition the firm has constructed many large public buildings in other localities, and 
is justly entitled to recognition among the successful contractors in southern New 
York. Mr. Sullivan, of the firm, is in other respects identified with city history. He 
deals extensively in real estate, and has purchased and plotted eight tracts of land, 
comprising about 300 building lots, in Binghamton and Lestershire. He is a director 
of the Home Mutual Loan and Savings association, also of the Binghamton Building 
company, and a member of the board of managers of the city hospital. Mr. Sullivan 
was born in Windham, Bradford county. Pa., in 1852, and came from Owego to this 
city in 1888. He is a practical mason by trade and thoroughly understands every 
detail of building construction, hence his success as contracting builder. Mr. Sulli- 
van's family consists of a wife and three children. 



Johnson, George F. , general superintendent and resident manager of the Lester- 
shire Manufacturing Company, is a native of Milford, Mass., born October 14, 1857, 
and is the son of Frank A. and Sarah J. Johnson, both of whom now live in Lester- 
shire. The father himself is a practical shoemaker, and to that occupation his sons 
were brought up after leaving school. In Milford, George became a thorough 
workman, and when in 1882 he was employed by Lester Bros. & Co., of this city, as 
foreman of their "treeing" and packing department, the firm knew a competent 
workman had been secured. From 1882 until the organization of the Lestershire 
Boot and Shoe Company, which was the outgrowth of the firm of Lester Bros. & Co., 
Mr. Johnson continued in charge of the treeing and packing department, and in 
1892, soon after the Lestershire Manufacturing Company succeeded the former con- 
cern, he was advanced to the position of general superintendent. Then the com- 
pany employed less than 300 workmen in all departments, but during the years fol- 
lowing, under his management the capacity of the plant has been several times in- 
creased, and the works now employ an aggregate of about 1,600 workmen and pro- 
duce about 18,000 pairs of boots and shoes per day. 

In 1894 Mr. Johnson became a stockholder in the company and subsequently added 
to his interest in the works and acquired considerable real estate in the village, still 
maintaining, however, his residence in the city. In the early part of 1900 he suc- 
ceeded by purchase to all the real estate in Lestershire formerly owned by Henry B. 
Endicott, and rented by the Lestershire Manufacturing Company, and at the same 
time became the owner of nearly one-half of the company's capital stock. Lester- 
shire and Binghamton business men know that the wonderful success achieved by 
the company in a great measure has been due to the excellent business capacity and 
foresight of the superintendent and manager — George F. Johnson. (For a more de- 
tailed narrative of the company's history and Mr. Johnson's connection therewith, 
see the chapter relating to Lestershire). 




GEORGE F. JOHNSON. 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 887 

Kennedy, William P., civil engineer, railroad contractor and present member of 
the firm of Bennett & Kennedy, wholesale and retail dealers, first became a factor in 
Binghamton history when he with associates built twelve miles (from this city west- 
ward) of the now known D. L. & W. railroad. Since that time he has resided in 
this city. Mr. Kennedy is a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, born in 1844. 
His early education was acquired in the common schools and the Christianna (Penna.) 
academy. He fitted himself for civil engineering and continued in that profession 
four years, until the collapse of the proposed St. Croix and Lake Superior railroad, 
in which enterprise he occupied the position of principal assistant engineer. After 
one year's service as contractor's clerk on the Lehigh and Susquehanna railroad, he 
engaged on the work of construction of the Union Pacific railroad in the capacity of 
auditor and cashier. Still later he engaged in contracting, continuing at intervals 
to the present time. The extension of the D. L. & W. railroad brought him to Bing- 
hamton, to engage in building the section of road above mentioned. In the same 
connection he also built some miles of the westerly part of the road, and in subse- 
quent years he and partners have made a greater portion of the road's heavy im- 
provements, including the Factoryville tunnel and filling the Buffalo "trestles." 
For several years past Mr. Kennedy has been business partner with Fred Bennett, 
in his railroad contracts as also in the handling of coal, etc. He has been a member 
of the Binghamton Board of Trade since its incorporation, and for four years past 
one of its trustees. He is a member of the Binghamton and Dobson clubs, and a 
member of Christ church. 



Mable, Frederick J., was born in Croyden, England, March 9, 1856, and is the son 
of the late Charles Mable, who came to America with his family in the fall of 1869, 
and settled in this city. Mr. Mable died in 1872, and his wife died in 1882. Fred- 
erick acquired his early education in England, and soon after coming to Binghamton 
he was employed as clerk and timekeeper for George Smith, a master painter whose 
place of business was on Commercial avenue. One year later he worked for Augustus 
Wiley, and still later for the firm of Smith & Wiley, but during the period of these 
several employments, young Mable learned the painter's trade, and learned it well. 
In fact, in 1876 he became one of the firm of Stone, Sullivan & Mable. succeeded in 
1877 by Sullivan & Mable, the latter firm dissolving in 1878 and Mr. Mable continu- 
ing business alone until 1887, when he entered the firm of Lawrence & Mable, dealers 
in paints and painter's supplies. This firm continued until 1890 and then dissolved, 
upon which Mr. Mable came to his present location on State street, and established 
himself as general contracting painter, paper hanger and decorator, employmg a 
number of men. Mr. Mable is a thirty-second degree Mason (Binghamton Lodge 
and Chapter. Malta Commandery, Otseningo Consistory, and Kalurah Temple. A. 
A. A. O. N. M. S.) For twenty years also he has held an Odd Fellow membership. 
For many years he has been a member of the Centenary M. E. church, and for twelve 
years a member of its official board. On June 10, 1885, Frederick J. Mable married 
Belle, daughter of James H. Dunn, of this city. Four children, three of whom are 
living, have been born of this marriage. 

Carpenter. William E., a member of the city board of street commissioners, senior 



888 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

partner of the firm of W. E. & E. D. Carpenter, general coal dealers, has been a 
resident of Binghamton since the summer of 1875, when he began " running bag- 
gage" on the D. L. & W. road between this city and New York. Mr. Carpenter, 
however, was a "railroad man" for almost thirty years, and is recognized as having 
been one of the veterans of the Lackawanna system. He was born in Lenox town- 
ship, Penna., August 27, 1850, and was brought up on a farm. On April 1, 1869. he 
was first employed by the D. L. & W. company in the capacity of first helper in the 
freight house, but the youngster had no idea of remaining permanently in the freight 
handling department, hence during his unoccupied hours he learned telegraphy. 
He was kept in the freight house less than a year and a half, and then was employed 
two and one-half years as train dispatcher in Scranton, but failing health compelled 
him to drop office work. In 1872 he was made conductor of a coal train ; in 1875 
was promoted to baggage master between New York and Binghamton. and in 1878 
he was made passenger conductor and run the first " night line" between the points 
mentioned. In August, 1891, Mr. Carpenter was offered the "run" on the new 
branch between Alfred and Montrose, and accepting the offer he was on that line 
until March 4, 1897, when he resigned his position, and in partnership with his 
brother established a general coal office on the north side. Mr. Carpenter is a firm 
Democrat. His appointment to the street commission dated in February, 1899. 
He is a thirty-second degree Mason, having a membership in all the Masonic bodies 
of the city, and also in Kalurah temple, of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of 
the Order of Railway Conductors, and is secretary and treasurer of the local branch. 
At Foster, Penna., on February 10, 1873, Wm. E. Carpenter married Elva E. Bell, 
daughter of Truman Bell, a merchant and farmer, and one of the most highly re- 
spected and prominent men of Lenox township. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter have one 
daughter, Nellie B. Carpenter. 



Welden, Benjamin F., secretary of the Sisson Bros.-Welden company, the latter 
the succes.sor to the dry goods firm of Sisson Bros. & Welden, is a native of Bing- 
hamton, born February 28, 1875, and is the son and elder of two children of the late 
James K. and Mary Sisson Welden. He was educated in the city schools and also 
at St. John's Military school, at Manlius, N. Y., having graduated at the latter in- 
stitution in 1893. He came at once into the employ of Sisson Bros. & Welden, and 
upon the death of his father in 1895, he thereafter represented the estate in the firm. 
On March 7, 1900, the Sisson Bros.-Welden company was incorporated and Mr. 
Welden was elected its secretary. He is one of our city's active young business men, 
and seems to have inherited many of the best traits of his grandfather, the late Ben- 
jamin F. Sisson (one of Binghamton's pioneer merchants), for whom he was named, 
and also of his father, the late James K. Welden, who was an active factor both in 
the business and political history of the city for many years. Mr. Welden is the 
present master of Otseningo lodge, F. & A. M., youngest master in the State, a 
thirty-second degree Mason, and a member of Kalurah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. 



Loveland, Charles H., wholesale and retail druggist on Upper Chenango street, 
is a native of this city, born June 23, 1867. He is the son of the late Mordecai Love- 
land, who is remembered as one of Binghamton's old substantial- residents, having 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 889 

come here about 1850 and for many years carried on a carriage and wagon making biisi ■ 
□ess. Charles was educated in the city schools, and began his business career as 
clerk for James McDougall, druggist, in the old "Medical hall" at No. 55 Court 
street. Later on he was employed in the wholesale drug store of Corbin & Son for 
three years, after which he went to Kansas City, Mo., and was similarly employed 
about two years. He then entered the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, where he 
was graduated in 1891. In the spring of the same year he established a drug store 
on the North Side, where he has ever since been in business. In 1893, in company 
with his brother, William H. Loveland, he started a drug store at the corner of 
Court and Liberty streets, and two years afterward removed the stock to the Barlow 
block, corner of Court and Rutherford streets. This business was afterward bought 
by William H. Loveland, and was removed to the corner of Chenango and Henry 
streets. On April 1, 1898, soon after the Corbin & Son failure, Charles H. Loveland 
organized and fora year and a half was the active business manager of the Elk Drug 
company. In 1899 he sold his stock in the company and since that time has devoted 
his time solely to the management of his store on upper Chenango street, where he 
does a successful wholesale and retail business. On June 36, 1895, Mr. Loveland 
married Edith, daughter of John Hungerford, of Princeton, Ills. 



Kendall, Thaddeus Richmond, who is remembered by our older residents as senior 
partner in the firm of Kendall, Harrison & Co., was engaged in active business in 
Binghamton for a period of about twelve years. He was born in Mt. Vernon, N. H., 
November 27, 1811, and was descended on both sides from substantial New England 
Revolutionary stock. During his youth his parents removed from New Hampshire 
to Montreal, Canada, and thence to Vermont. His early education was acquired 
chiefly in the famous University of Vermont, at Burlington, where he was graduated. 
He read law with the distinguished George P. Marsh, of Burlington, and after being 
licensed to practice, located in Sumter county, Alabama. In the south Mr. Kendall 
practiced law for a time, and afterward drifted into mercantile pursuits and dealing 
in cotton. After his marriage he lived many years in Mobile, until two years after 
the Civil war, when he removed with his family to Keokuk, Iowa, thence to Concord, 
N. H., and to this city in the latter part of 1869. In the following year he engaged 
in business with A, S. Gaskin and the late William E. Taylor, manufacturing tobac- 
co and cigars under the firm name of A. S. Gaskin & Co., the style, however, chang- 
ing to Kendall, Harrison & Co., when James Harrison succeeded to Mr. Gaskin's 
interest in the business. Subsequently his son, George W. Kendall, came into the 
partnership, replacing Mr. Harrison, upon which the name of the firm again was 
changed, but throughout the entire period of more than twelve years, under 
whatever name, Thaddeus Richmond Kendall was the capitalist and head of the 
house, and was an extensive employer of labor, and was, as well, one of the most 
respected men in the city. The firm was dissolved by the death of its senior mem- 
ber in September, 1883. Although a man of strong political convictions, Mr. Ken- 
dall did not take an active interest in public affairs after his return from the south, 
but devoted himself wholly to business and the comfort of his family. He was a 
member of the First Presbyterian church of this city. In August, 1842. Mr. Kendall 
married Mary A. Hutchins, daughter of James Hutchins, a cotton planter of Sumter 



890 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

coun'y, Alabama. Of this marriage four children were born, two of whom — George 
W. and Mary Kendall, both of this city — are now living. 



Morgan, Major Chauncey, who is mentioned in another department of this work 
as the pioneer printer of Binghamton, was the brother of Major Augustus Morgan, 
and like him, was entitled to be addressed as Major. Both were sons of a Revolu- 
tionary patriot — Gaius Morgan — and both have descendants still living in Bingham- 
ton. Chauncey Morgan came originally from Connecticut, to Steuben county, and 
thence to Binghamton, in 1812. He was a practical newspaper man, combining the 
fortunate qualities of editor, publisher and compositor. Indeed, he was one of the 
few editors in his time who could (and he frequently did) stand at the "cases" and 
" set up " his editorials from memory alone. After living several years in Bingham- 
ton Mr. Morgan removed to Oxford, and in 1840 returned permanently to this place. 
His business life was devoted entirely to newspaper work. He possessed splendid 
ability, yet he never became wealthy. His wife was Elizabeth N., daughter of Will- 
iam John Bessac. The father of the legal profession in Orleans county was Benja- 
min L. Bessac, a nephew of Mrs. Morgan. Major Morgan's children were Charlotte 
A., who married John J. Youmans, and who alone of Major Morgan's children is 
now living; Henry Augustus, Catharine Sophronia, who married Joseph Barlow; 
and Harriet Elizabeth Morgan, who died young. Major Chauncey Morgan died in 
1859. 

John J. Youmans was for many years a prominent figure in Binghamton history. 
He came here from Unadilla in 1839, was an architect and builder, and was closely 
identified with the growth of the village soon after its incorporation. He was one of 
the founders of Spring Forest Cemetery Association, and for many years was super- 
intendent of the cemetery. Mr. Youmans died in this city January 5, 1883. His 
wife, whom he married in 1840, was Charlotte A. Morgan. Their children were 
Robert and Frederick Youmans, both of whom are now dead. 



Bardwell, Darwin L., superintendent of schools of this city, is a native of Shel- 
burne, Mass., born March 30, 1860. His early education was acquired in the district 
schools, and he prepared for college at the Greenfield High School. He entered 
Amherst College in 1879, and was graduated in 1883. He then began his career as 
teacher, his first engagement being in a large district school in Champaign, 111., 
where he remained one year. The next year he taught Latin and Greek in a pri- 
vate academy at Greenwich, Conn., after which, for a period of five years he was 
prmcipal of the Union School at Greenport, Long Island. In 1890 he was appointed 
to the charge of the department of science in the State Normal School at Cortland, 
where he remained seven and one-half years. At the end of his term of service 
Prof. Bardwell was appointed by the Regents to the position of inspector of acad- 
emies in the State ; but about the same time was offered the position of institute con- 
ductor by Mr. Skinner, State superintendent of public instruction. This offer was 
accepted, Prof. Bardwell thereafter engaging in institute work until he was called to 
the superintendency of our city school system in March, 1899. On December 28, 
1885, Darwin L. Bardwell married Alice, daughter of John Babb, of Champaign, 111. 
Two sons have been born of this marriage. 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 891 

Sherwood, William H., was born in Fairfield county, Conn., December 10. 1829. 
but in 1835 his father, Amos O. Sherwood, removed to Wayne county. Pa., where 
William was brought up, educated and began his business career. He worked on 
his father's farm and soon after having attained his majority he began lumbering on 
his own account ; first on a one hundred acre tract and later on a nine hundred acre tract 
of land, both of which ventures proved successful and gave him a fair start in life. 
In 1866 Mr. Sherwood purchased the Thorn tannery in Maine village, and in that 
year he first became a factor in Broome county history. For about twenty-one years 
he carried on a successful tanning business in Maine, and during much of the same 
period he also conducted a large general store in the village. After the bark supply 
was exhausted Mr. Sherwood discontinued the tannery, disposed of his mercantile 
interests and removed his family to Bingbamton, but in the meantime he had pur- 
chased a tannery property in Jerdeu Falls, town of Crogan, Lewis county. With 
this enterprise he was connected about nine years and then sold out to the United 
States Leather Company, whose agent Mr. Sherwood then became, in the capacity 
of superintendent of tanneries. After two or three years Mr. Sherwood resigned 
his position and returned to this city, where he has since lived in comfortable retire- 
ment. While living in Maine Mr. Sherwood served three terms as supervisor, but 
in the city he has not taken an active part in political affairs. In September, 1850, 
Mr. Sherwood married Donna Maria Clark, of Preston, Wayne township. Five chil- 
dren were born of this marriage, four of whom are still living, viz. : Ferdinand, of 
the firm of C. E. Hathaway & Co., produce dealers; Ina, wife of Edson B. Rich; 
Elva, wife of O. C. Kingsley ; and Lalah, wife of F. H. Beach. 



Waite, James E., became an active factor in Binghamton history in 1885, when he 
removed to the city and started an extensive lumber dealing business at the corner 
of Wall and Ferry streets, on the site where he soon afterward erected a large fac- 
tory building. However, Mr. Waite was a prominent character in county history 
many years before he came to live in the city. He was born in Orange county, Sep- 
tember 17, 1837, the son of Herman V. Waite, who came to Binghamton in 1853 
and engaged in mercantile pursuits two years before removing to Port Crane. 
James was educated in the old Binghamton Academy, soon after which he began his 
business career with his father. In 1869 he engaged in lumbering in Windsor, and 
the history of that town shows he was generally identified with local annals, and rep- 
resented the town five terms in the board of supervisors. The same office he also 
held two terms while living in Fenton, as the chapter relating to that town will show. 
In connection with his milling enterprises, Mr. Waite engaged in lumbering opera- 
tions in Tioga and Potter counties, Pa., where he still retains large land and lumber 
interests. In 1885 he took up a residence in this city, and at once engaged in active 
business, as has been stated. In the city, as in Fenton and Windsor, he has been a 
known factor in political history and represented his ward in the board of supervis- 
ors six terms (See City Civil List); and it may be said with truth that James E. 
Waite was one of the safest and most influential members of that body. It is hardly 
necessary to state that Mr. Waite is a thorough Republican. He is still engaged in 
business and owns several desirable parcels of real estate in the city. He is a mem- 
ber of Windsor Lodge, F. & A. M., and of Malta Commandery, K. T. (of this city); 



892 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

and also is a member of Pawnee Tribe, I. O. R. M. Mr. Waite's wife, whom he 
married September 10, 1868, was Sarah J. Brezzee, by whom he has two children, 
Arthur J. and Helen Waite. 



Ingraham, William John, D. D. S., is a native of St. Charles, Mo., born June 28, 
1873, and is the son of William H. Ingraham, who for many years has been employed 
as chief engineer at the pumping station of our city water supply system. When 
William J. was about two years old his parents removed from Missouri to this State, 
and settled in this city about 1875. He was educated in our public schools, and was 
graduated at the B.C. H. S. in 1894. He then studied dentistry with Dr. H. D.Whitmarsh 
and later took a three years' course in the dental department of the University of 
Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, where he was graduated, D. D. S., in 1897. He at 
once began practice in this city and now is numbered among Binghamton's active 
young professional men. 



Green, George E., is perhaps one in many thousands of the present generation 
who have practically participated in the " hard knocks" associated with the life of a 
backwoodsman. He is a native of Broome county, and the first fourteen years of 
his life were spent in a log house entirely surrounded by woodland, at the outset a 
clearing sufficient only to permit the erection of a log house of a truly primitive style, 
and the log shed in which the oxen were stabled, but before he left the old home, 
more than 100 acres had been cleared and improved as farm land. The old house 
still stands, being located in a neighborhood known as Ballahack in the old town 
of Port Crane (now Fenton) 

Mr. Green first became a factor in city history in 1877, when he was employed as 
clerk in Jerome Shaw's grocery store. Main and Edwards streets, having formerly 
been employed by James E. Waite in his general store and lumber camp at Tusca- 
rora, N. Y. His employment with Mr. Shaw was of brief duration and his next en- 
gagement was as traveling salesman for S Mills Ely & Co. Mr. Shaw one day re- 
marked to a friend concerning his former clerk: "That youngster will some day be 
one of the best business men in Binghamton." So it has proved, for to-day George 
E. Green is one of our city's foremost men. and it is doubtful if any citizen of Bing- 
hamton enjoys a wider acquaintance than he. 

Mr. Green soon found an opportunity to better his position by entering the employ 
of Ford & Evans, general coal dealers, working in the office and traveling on the 
road. He built up an extensive bituminous coal trade for the firm, and soon after 
Major Edwin Evans was appointed steward at what is now the Binghamton State 
Hospital, the firm of Ford & Green naturally succeeded the old membership. Four 
years later Mr. Green succeeded to the proprietorship of the wholesale coal business, 
and the firm of Ford & Green was dissolved. The office was then located at 74 
Court street, and soon afterward Mr. Green opened offices in the Perry building di- 
rectly representing the Berwind- White Coal Mining Company of Philadelphia and 
New York, as exclusive sales agent for the State of New York and Canada. The 
first bituminous coal sold by Mr. Green was produced by this firm, whom he has rep- 
resented, directly and indirectly, for upwards of twenty years. It is unquestionably 




v'^8^^^*^^3Pi!SSwP 




GEORGE E. GREEN. 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 



893 



true that Mr. Green enjoys the largest bituminous coal trade of any dealer in the 
State, the business being conducted under his personal supervision. 

Mr. Green and Harlow E. Bundy in 1889 brought to this city a small manufactur- 
ing plant, which is now one of the greatest industries of this section— the Bundy 
Manufacturing Compan3^ manufacturers of workmen's time recorders, etc., which are 
known the world over. Offices are maintained in the principal cities of the United 
States, and the British Bundy Company, with offices in London, is directly conduct- 
ed by the Bundy Manufacturing Company, of which Mr. Green has been president 
since its organization. 

The Binghamtou Cigar Company is conducted solely under the direction of Mr. 
Green, Hon. R. A. Ford owning an interest in same. Mr. Green is the treasurer of 
the Harris Safety Company of New York and Chicago, manufacturers of the Harris 
system of fire escapes, fire alarms, and fire extinguishers. He is vice-president and 
director of the New York Casualty Company of New York, and one of the directors 
of the Security Mutual Life Association of this city, and principal stockholder and 
director in the Doremus Machine Company of New York, also stockholder and di- 
rector in the Hollenbeck Saddle Company of Syracuse, and is interested in other 
business enterprises, among which is the Home Magazine of New York, of which he 
is .sole owner and which is conducted under his direction by Mr. J. K. Adams as 
business manager and Arthur T. Vance as editor. 

Besides his real estate interests in Binghamton and Broome county, he has large 
interests in Bufi^alo and Erie county. Mr. Green has frequently been entrusted with 
business responsibilities of unusual magnitude, and is at present the chairman of a 
board of trustees in New York city charged with the settlement of an estate exceed- 
ing half a million dollars. 

In the political history of the city, Mr. Green has been a conspicuous figure for a 
number of years, and in the councils of the Republican party, both in county and 
State politics, he has enjoyed a special prominence. He is, and has been for many 
years the chairman of the Broome County Republican Committee. In 1887 he was 
elected alderman of the Third ward, and in 1888 was elected president of the Com- 
mon Council. In his representative capacity as alderman. Mr. Green was the lead- 
ing spirit of a movement which led to the marked public improvements in the city, 
and it was during his term of office that our present admirable sewer system was 
established, improved pavements adopted and constructed, and the full-deck bridge 
across the Chenango river at the foot of Court street was projected. This was only 
a small beginning of a work that was carried on to still greater extent in later years, 
all of which gave the city an enviable prominence among the municipalities of the 
State. 

In 1889 Mr. Green was the Republican candidate for the mayoralty, though not 
of his own seeking. He was defeated at the polls, through the treachery of dis- 
gruntled members of the party, who were undoubtedly jealous of the rising promi- 
nence of the new young leader. 

In 1893 he was again nominated for the same office and was elected by an over- 
whelming and unprecedented majority, and thereafter by re-election Mr. Green was 
mayor of the city five years consecutively, and we might well say almost the first 
real incumbent of the office who gave to the public interests the same careful atten- 
tion that a prudent man will give to his own personal concerns. Indeed George E. 



894 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

Green was — and we say it without hesitation — the best mayor Binghamton ever had, 
and for his services our people owe to him a lasting debt of gratitude. 

Of all the improvements and reforms accomplished during his term we have no 
space for detailed mention; hence allusion to a few must suffice. The adoption of 
the appointive system of school commissioners, in place of the previous elective 
method which was rapidly drifting our school management into the foulest mire of 
politics, secured for the measure an opposition both widespread and bitter. The 
mayor himself was the chief object of wordy assault on the part of the so-called lov- 
ers of the "sacred ballot" system; but now when all passion has subsided, it is 
doubtful if any of the honest opponents of the appointive system would desire a re- 
turn to the old method. 

All of our citizens will remember Mr. Green's earnest endeavors to secure a via- 
duct at Chenango street over the various railroad tracks. The State Legislature 
readily enacted a law ordering the construction of the viaduct ; but the subject was 
referred for confirmation to a vote of the taxpayers, and by the strenuous opposition 
of corporate interests and some local and sectional prejudices, the project was de- 
feated at the polls. The plan as then proposed stipulated that the city should bear 
only twenty per cent, of the cost of said viaduct. After a few years have elapsed, it 
seems to have been almost the unanimous opinion of our citizens, including 
many of the strongest opponents of the viaduct when proposed by Mr. Green, 
that a similar plan should now be put through without delay. Fortunately, 
by reason of subsequently enacted State laws, which received the strong sup- 
port of Mr. Green, and because of the favorable action of the State railroad 
commissioners, of whom Col. George W. Dunn of this city is a member, the 
viaduct will be built; but the plan will be no better, if indeed as good, as the one 
originally proposed, and our citizens must necessarily, under the State law, pay 
twenty-five per cent of the cost, this being the most favorable law that could be 
secured. 

Among the marked improvements may be mentioned the new municipal building. 
It required force and almost arbitrary power, to raze to the ground the old Fire- 
men's Hall and erect thereon the present beautiful and adequate municipal building. 
The plan of securing architectural designs and awarding contracts for the construc- 
tion of the building has frequently been referred to by experienced judges as one of 
the most exemplary systems that could possibly be adopted to prevent jobbery and 
corruption. 

The present city hospital, a most magnificent institution, not yet fully understood 
and prized at its true value by our citizens, is a tribute to Ex-Mayor Green, who at 
first fought single-handed and alone in favor of such an institution to be controlled 
and maintained solely at the expense of the city taxpayers. 

The modern bridges across the Chenango river at Ferry and De Forest streets 
were the outcome af his incessant and vigorous work. The fight to do away with 
the old and dangerous suspension bridge and to erect instead a modern structure 
was one of the hardest and most bitter in the annals of our city and was finally ac- 
complished by the co-operation of the Common Council with Mr. Green's plans, 
and he personally paid the expenses of the experts whose reports in showing the 
true character of the suspension bridge at just the right moment caused the taxpay- 
ers to vote in favor of the improvement. 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 895 

The Central fire station, new hose rooms, and additions and improvements to the 
old ones were adjuncts to his admmistration as mayor. 

The plan whereby sewers may be constructed under direction of the city authori- 
ties and by the employment of citizens of Binghamton only, and which system has 
thus far demonstrated a great saving to the taxpayers and the employment of many 
citizens at good wages, was first proposed by Mr. Green and the plan only put into 
successful operation after he had repeatedly vetoed actions of the Common Council 
to award sewer construction on the old contract system. 

Many further improvements and reforms in municipal government were the direct 
outcome of his careful and studious research and practical application. Mr. Green 
has traveled widely and devoted a large part of his life to the study of municipali- 
ties and the methods most practical and beneficial to true municipal progress. 

Mr. Green was an early member of the Commercial Travelers Home Association 
of America and when mayor took a special interest in securing the home building 
for our city, and with equally devoted co-workers, he labored earnestly and success 
fully to that end, it being conceded that his speech at the Syracuse convention (held 
in Alhambra Opera House), secured the unanimous vote of said convention in favor 
of the Binghamton site. In 1894 he was elected president of the Home Association 
and served in that capacity until 1899, then declining re-election, but still serving on 
the board of managers, and assuring the public that the home, in the interest of 
which he has spent many thousands ot dollars, will yet be completed. 

Mr. Green is prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of Otseningo Lodge 
F. & A. M., Malta Commandery, Knights Templar, Otseningo Consistory and Kalu- 
rah Temple, Knights of the Mystic Shrine. He was a charter member of Wamsutta 
Tribe No. 37, Improved Order of Red Men, andjrose from one degree to another, in 
that fraternal order, until he reached the highest position within the gift of the 
members of the State of New York— Great Sachem— and from that continued to pro- 
gress until he was unanimously elected Great Incohonee of the Great Council of the 
United States, which position he now holds, Mr. Green is a member of other fra- 
ternal and social organizations in the city of Binghamton and elsewhere. 

George Edward Green was born in the town of Kirkwood, Broome county. August 
30 1858 the son of James D. and Frances (Wisner) Green, who soon after his birth 
moved to the town of Port Crane, now Feuton. On February 37. 1880, George E. 
Green married Sara E. Cole. One daughter, Frances Gertrude Green, who died 
April 25, 1897, at the age of fourteen years, was born of this marriage. 



Aldrich, Moses B., surgeon dentist of this city since 1892, is a native of Thompson 
Pa., and was born September 23, 1842. He was the son of Horace Aldrich and the 
grandson of Major Aaron Aldrich, the latter a sturdy New Hampshire \ ankee and 
an early settler in northern Pennsylvania. Moses B. Aldrich spent ^^ young life m 
Pennsylvania and was educated m the Jackson village high school, and also in Prof^ 
Hawley's select school in Gibson. On August 5, 186 , ^e -listed in Co.J,UU, 
Penn. In 1864, on account of disabilities, he was transferred to the Vet^ f " ^1° P'; 
and afterward served as clerk for Gen. Auger, and still later Gen. Hooke He .^ 
also on detached service during the Ohio riots. He was 7^^-- J^ J^^^f ^'f ^: 
at Cincinnati, Ohio. Returning thence to the north Comrade Aldrich became a 



896 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

tal student in the office of Dr. Thomas J. Wheaton, who is well remembered by all 
our old residents, and in 1872 began practice for himself in Marathon, N. Y., where 
he remained more than twenty years. In December, 1892, he returned to this city 
and has been in active and successful practice in his profession. In Marathon Dr. 
Aldrich was town clerk, justice of the peace, chief engineer of the fire department, 
member of the academy board, and two years president of the village. In this city 
he has been less active in municipal affairs, and devotes himself wholly to profes- 
sional work. However, he is prominently connected with our Masonic and Grand 
Army organizations, and generally with the be.st interests of the city. On June 28, 
1876, Dr. Aldrich married Clara, daughter of Orson H. Smith, of Marathon, by whom 
he has two children. 



Cornell, William T., became sole proprietor of the general undertaking business 
on Chenango street, on the North Side, in April, 1895, succeeding the firm of J. C. 
Cornell & Son. John C. Cornell was one of the oldest funeral directors and under- 
takers in this county, having established the business at Port Crane thirty years ago. 
In 1878 he removed to Castle Creek and lived there five years. He next located in 
Port Dickinson, where he did business in the village, and also in the city until 1888, 
when he established undertaking rooms on the north side, his son being associated 
with him under the firm name of J. C. Cornell & Son. In 1895, as above mentioned, 
the son, William T. Cornell, succeeded the firm; under the present and conservative 
methods strictly followed by his father, William T. Cornell became thoroughly con- 
versant with all the details of undertaking in general. The new proprietor used 
modern methods, completely revolutionized the business and set an example which 
has in a measure been imitated by others. He can display to the caller thirty-five 
different styles of burial caskets, ranging in price from the cheapest to those which per- 
sons of wealth alone can afford. More than that, the equipment of the entire estab- 
lishment, which is far more extensive than appears to the passers-by on Chenango 
street, has been entirely remodeled and renewed. The applicant for Mr. Cornell's 
services can now select the finest casket, the most beautiful burial robes, and the 
most elegant funeral car that ever appeared in any city in interior New York. All 
appointments are in full harmony, and the best possible service and attention are 
here obtainable. It is no more than the exact truth to say that William T. Cornell 
is proprietor of the best undertaking rooms, and director's supply auxiliaries, that 
modern enterprise can offer; and all this splendid condition is the result of energy 
and good business judgment. Mr. Cornell now ranks among Binghamton's foremost 
business men, and certainly has become an important factor in city history. His 
wife, whom he married June 1, 1886, is Etta M., daughter of Walter M. Holt of Port 
Dickinson ; they have one daughter. 



Hubbard, Andrew W., whose large grocery and provision store is one of the busy 
centers of trade on the North Side, has been in business in this city since 1885. He 
was formerly a farmer in Colesville, in which town his father, Clark Hubbard, set- 
tled in 1869. The family came from Walpole, Cheshire county, N. H., where both 
Clark and Andrew Hubbard were born, the latter in February, 1851. About 1873 
Andrew Hubbard began farming for himself in Colesville, and was so engaged until 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 897 

1885, when he sold his farm and came to the city. Mr. Hubbard has been twice 
married. His first wife was Margaret, daughter of Luther Edwards, of Colesville. 
She died in 1884, and in 1887 Mr. Hubbard married Stella, daughter of Edmimd Os- 
trom, the latter being recalled as an old resident and prominent business man of this 
city. Mr. Hubbard is an enterprising, prudent and successful busmess man, of such 
quality as New England has always furnished to this city. He is prominent in fra- 
ternal circles, being a member of Otseningo Lodge, F. & A. M., Hinghamton Chap- 
ter, R. A. M., and Malta Commandery, K. T. He also is a member of Parlor City 
Lodge, No. 702, I. O. O. F. 



Green, Almeron D., is a native of Broome county, having been born a little above 
Port Dickinson, where he lived until removing to Binghamton in 1864. He married 
the daughter of the late Brazilla Kent. After twenty years of familiarity with the 
furniture business, he became a partner in the well-known firm of Severson, Culhane 
& Green, succeeded by the firm of Culhane & Green. The latter firm handles a large 
retail furniture trade, carrying about thirty thousand dollars worth of stock. 

Mr. Green has confined himself very closely to the management of his busijess, 
letting few outside interests interfere and it is, no doubt, to this steady application 
on his part and that of his partner, that much of the success of the firm is due. 

Mr. Green has been an Oddfellow for twenty-five years. 



Culhane, James, came to Binghamton in 1847 and his son, James J. Culhane, the 
subject of our sketch, was born here in 1856. Like his partner Mr. Green, Mr. Cul- 
hane had become thoroughly familiar with the furniture business before he went into 
trade for himself in 1885. In June, 1898, the firm of Culhane & Green entered their 
new store at No. 161 Washington street, where their fine retail stock of furniture is 
most advantageously displayed. 

Mr. Culhane is an active Democrat, having been alderman of the Eighth ward 
since January 1, 1898. He holds the responsible position of treasurer of Division 
Number 1 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and is also county treasurer of the 
same order. 

Mr. Culhane married the daughter of Philip Roach. 



Gaylord, Willis H., practical heating and ventilating engineer, came to Bingham- 
ton in 1881 to construct the heating and ventilating system in the Asylum for Insane 
persons (now Binghamton State hospital). Two years later his employers. Bates & 
Johnson, of New York, established a branch of their house in this city, with Mr. 
Gaylord in charge. The business was continued until 1888, when the present firm 
of Gaylord & Eitapenc was formed. Mr. Gaylord is a native of Holyoke, Mass., 
born September 17, 1863, but spent much of his young life in Geneva, N. Y., where 
his father, John Gaylord, was a contractor and builder. In 1878 Willis went to New 
York and learned the trade of scientific heating and ventilating with W. H. Warner, 
and afterward was employed by the firm of Bates & Johnson, which succeeded Mr. 
Warner. Since 1881 Mr. Gaylord has been an active factor in business circles in our 
city, and is known as a skilled workman in his special line as well as an enterprising 
citizen. The large fine brick and stone building at the corner of Lewis and State 
57 



898 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

streets was built by Gaylord & Eitapeuc. Mr. Gaylord's wife, whom he mar- 
ried April 15, 1882, was Mary H. Stintsman, of Wilkesbarre. They have four 
children. 



Brockway, Abner M., assistant superintendent of the Binghamton Railroad com- 
pany, came from Trumbull county, Ohio, to this city in 1885, and for about a year 
was an employee in Lester Bros. & Go's, shoe factory. In 1890 he entered the ser- 
vice of the Street Railway company, serving as conductor until 1893, when he was 
advanced to the position of assistant superintendent, which he still retains. 



Brown, Robert, or as more familiarly known to his many friends in this city. Colo- 
nel Brown, is a native of the old town of Lisle (,the portion thereof now known as 
Barker) and was born February 26, 1822. He was the son of David Brown, who 
came from Connecticut in 1811, and settled in the northern part of Broome county. 
David Brown was employed as a clerk in a lumber mill in Lisle, and was an apt account- 
ant. His wife was Eliza Sutherland, by whom he had seven children, all of whom, 
except one, grew to maturity. They were Reuben, John, Lot, George, Robert, Ru- 
fus and Franklin Brown, but only Robert and Rufus are now living. Robert was a 
farmer and lived in Barker and adjoining towns until he entered the army. He was 
supervisor of his town in 1857 and 1858. On September 9, 1861, he enlisted in Co. F, 
89th N. Y. Infantry, and on the organization of the company he was elected captain. 
He served three years in the army and was continuously on active duty, never shirk- 
ing and not afraid to face any danger, He was exceedingly kind to his men, and 
never asked them to go where he would not lead them. He was mustered out of ser- 
vice October 20, 1864, after which he returned to Barker. In the fall of 1866 he was 
elected sheriff of the county, served three years and was then deputy to Sheriff Mar- 
tin during the latter's incumbency of the office. Then he was elected constable and 
served about fifteen years in that office. In 1887 he was elected city assessor and 
has been re-elected at the end of each term to the present time; and occasionally he 
was about the only successful Republican on the ticket. This fact attests both his 
popularity and competency. To all our citizens he is known as Colonel Brown, 
which title came to him through his connection with a regiment of militia which ouce 
had an existence in the county. On January 12, 1845, Colonel Brown married Jane 
Holiday of Barker, by whom he had four children: Henrietta, M. Fillmore, Charles 
and Edith Brown. M. Fillmore Brown, the only surviving child of this marriage, 
was one of the leading lawyers of the city bar previous to his removal to Genesee 
county, where he now lives. His office is in the city of Buffalo. 



Westcott, Harvey, began his business career in Binghamton in the early spring of 
1858, and from that time to the present day he indeed has been an active factor in 
the history both of the village and city. He was born near Milford Center, Otsego 
county, November 10, 1831. At the age of twelve years he started out to make his 
own way in life, and to-day all his former business associates, thousands of em- 
ployees and equally as many of our best citizens can attest the truth of the fact that 
his career has been abundantly successful and that honesty and fair dealing have 
been his characteristics. Mr. Westcott h^s been one of the most extensive employ- 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 899 

ers of workmen in this city, and it is unquestionably true that he has trained 
more successful business partners than any other manufacturer ever in Binghamton. 
Moreover, he never had a partner who invested a dollar in business at the outset, 
while one of them on retiring from the firm took out no less than $48,000 after a part- 
nership of about ten years' duration. 

In March, 1868, the firm of Westcott, Benedict & Co. leased the old Congdon hall 
(the third floor of the building next west of the McNamara building, on the south 
side of Court street) and one ground floor, and began the manufacture of cigars, em- 
ploying about fifteen workmen. (Thirty years later the firm of H. Westcott &• Co. em- 
ployed 500 cigar makers.) The several firms in which Mr. Westcott was a member 
— and always the senior member — during the thirty years of his active business life, 
were known, in succession, as Westcott, Benedict & Co., H. Westcott & Co., West- 
cott, Wise & Kent, Westcott & Kent, and H. Westcott & Co., the last firm comprising 
Harvey Westcott, Fred W. Grummond and FredH. Westcott. This firm went out of 
business in 1890, since which time Mr. Westcott and his son have devoted their atten- 
tion to the care andmanagementof their real estate interests. Thus, for more than forty 
years has Harvey Westcott been an active factor in Binghamton history, always ear- 
nestly engaged in his personal affairs, yet devoting a full share of time to the public 
interests, though not in any way calculated to draw attention to himself. He was 
one of the founders of the Binghamton City Hospital, and he also gave to the city 
and county the splendid clock in the dome of the court house. 

Mr. Westcott began his business career in Fair Haven, Vt, where he worked for a 
short time on a farm. He then traveled on the road for a paper manufacturing 
house, and later with a cigar and confectionery firm. In 1853 he began manufactur- 
ing cigars in Burlington, Vt., but at the end of four years sold out his interests and 
came to Binghamton, where he has lived since the early part of 1858. In October, 
1854, Mr. Westcott married Harriet E., daughter of Ephraim Winchell, of Unadilla. 
The children of this marriage are Fred H. Westcott, and liattie, wife of Leslie M. 
Merchant, of this city. 



Stratton, David P., who for the last thirty-five years has been buying and selling 
real estate, building houses and business blocks on the busy North Side, was born m 
Conklin in 1835. The pioneer of the Stratton family in this county was Hull Strat- 
ton who came with his wife (who was Lydia Comstock) and family from Connecticut 
to Conklin when the whole region was a wilderness. Mr. Stratton was offered his 
choice of land on the village site between Brandyvvine creek and the Chenango river 
at $5 per acre, but this offer he declined and chose the heavily timbered lands of 
Conklin. Pioneer Stratton had three children, Gould Stratton being the only son. 
He came to the village in 1838, and for twenty-two years was a pilot and lumberman 
on the Susquehanna river. He was connected with General Waterman's saw mill in 
MillviUe, and while there he invented a four-foot lath machine, the first invention of 
its kind in the country. Gould Stratton dealt in real estate and was a man of promi- 
nence in his time. His wife was Cynthia Russell, by whom he had three sons and 
eight daughters, and some of whom are now living. David P. Stratton is the only 
living son of Gould Stratton. He was originally a miller, then a carpenter, and 
afterward naturally drifted into real estate operations. For thirty-five years he has 



mo FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

been building up and developing the North Side, and it is very doubtful if any resi- 
dent in that part of the city has contributed more than he to the growth and pros- 
perity of that busy locality. Mr. Stratton is an enterprising and straightforward 
business man and is earnestly interested in the welfare of the city. Mr. Stratton's 
wife was Lucinda, daughter of John and Julia Paddock, a prominent old family of 
the North Side. Mrs. Stratton died in 1898. 



Bloomer, James F., was born in North Salem, Putnam county, June 22, 1821, and 
in 1837 came with his father, Capt. Coles Bloomer, to this county, settling on land 
purchased from Joseph Chambers in the town of Union. In 1848 James purchased 
of Martin Stone the tract of land on which the little hamlet known as East Union is 
now built up, in which locality he established a store and kept a hotel. He also 
dealt somewhat in real estate in that part of the town, buying and selling on his own 
account and managing various tracts for other proprietors. At length, however, 
having disposed of much of his lands, Mr. Bloomer came to Bingharaton and there- 
after was engaged in business many years. Indeed, he was one of our city's suc- 
cessful businessmen and worthy citizens. Mr. Bloomer's first wife was Mary Tyler, 
daughter of Abram Tyler, who came from Orange county to Union in 1839. Three 
children were born of the marriage just mentioned. His second wife was Elizabeth, 
daughter of Jesse Richards and granddaughter of one of Union's pioneers. 



Gibson, Durward W., was appointed local agent and manager of the Wells, Fargo 
& Co. Express January 1, 1898, and has since been a resident of Binghamton. His 
service with the company began in 1889 when he was appointed to a position in the 
Rochester, N. Y., office. One year later was transferred to Buffalo, N. Y., where he 
remained until 1898 when he came to this city. Mr. Gibson is a descendant from 
substantial Steuben county stock, and is the grandson of Ira Gibson, who emigrated 
from Seneca county, N. Y., in the year 1824 into the wilderness of the west shore of 
Lake Keuka, town of Pulteney, Steuben county, where he lived the last sixty years 
of his life in the vicinity of Gibson's Landing on Lake Keuka, from whose descend- 
ants it takes its name. 

Durward W. Gibson was born in the town of Pulteney, September 25, 1868, and his 
school days were passed at Franklm Academy at Prattsburg, N. Y. He is the son 
of Capt. John Gibson, who served with distinction as a commissioned officer in the 
army during the war of the Rebellion. Mr. Gibson lived at home among the 
vineclad hills surrounding charming Lake Keuka until called into the Express Com- 
pany's service in 1889. His early life was devoted to grape growing and later to 
lake steamer service. On January 7, 1897, Mr. Gibson was married to Susie E., 
daughter of Charles A. King of Buffalo. 



Truesdell, RoUin B., was born in Liberty, Susquehanna county, Pa , December 
20, 1839, and was the youngest of six children of Samuel and Lucy (Upson) Trues- 
dell. His father was a farmer and a prosperous citizen of Susquehanna county. 
Rollin's young life was spent on the farm at work and attending district school. In 
April, 1861, being then twenty-one years old, he came to Binghamton and enlisted 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 901 

in Co. F, 27th N. Y. Vol. Infantry, which was being recruited in the village. He 
served with the regiment throughout its entire term of service (two years) and was 
mustered out as sergeant in 1863. Soon afterward Mr. Truesdell came to live in 
Binghamton, working first as a carpenter and joiner, then as traveling salesman for 
the grocery and provision firm of Whitney, Pratt & Co. About 1872 he acquired an 
interest in the business, the firm name then being changed to C. A. Whitney & Co. Two 
years later Mr. Truesdell sold out his interest in the business to his partners (Charles A. 
Whitney and David L. Brownson), and soon afterward opened a grocery store on Conk- 
lin avenue, at the end of the Rockbottom bridge. He carried on a successful business in 
that location about eight years, then sold out and in 1890 succeeded to the business 
formerly carried on by William Pugsley. Since that time Mr. Truesdell has been a 
general dealer in leather and findings, and horse and harness goods. 

Thus it IS seen that Mr. Truesdell has been identified with business interests in the 
city for a period of thirty-five years, beginning as carpenter at day's work and then 
progressing step by step as his means would allow (for he always made his own way 
in life) until he is now numbered among our substantial business men. This success 
is the result of Mr. Truesdell' s individual perseverance and capacity. Naturally, 
such a man, having an interest in the welfare of the city, has been a prominent fac- 
tor in local politics, though never for his own advancement. He served as school 
commissioner in 1871 and 1872. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church, 
and also a member of Bartlett Post, G. A. R. Mr. Truesdell's first wife, whom he 
married September 2, 1863, was Janette Summers, by whom he had one son. Edwin 
S Truesdell, of the wholesale grocery house of McTighe & Truesdell. Mr. Trues- 
dell's second wife was Triphena E. Barnes, by whom he had three children. His 
third wife was Helena Howell, who died childless. His fourth wife was Elizabeth 
N. Gushing, whom he married March 22, 1881. 

Beman Frank, organ builder and musician, was born in this city in 1856. and is 
the son of the late Orson D. Beman, whom our older residents will remember as a 
watch maker and jeweler, and also as a musician of note in local circles. Thus ,t is 
through the latter quality in the father that Frank Beman's musical talent (for he 
plays any string or wind instrument and plays it well) is in part inherited and m 
pari acquired. Previous to his return to Binghamton in 1870 O. D. Beman and his 
family lived five years in Harpursville and ten years in Montrose. In the latte 
place Frank acquired his musical education under the instruction of a student rom 
the famous Stuttgart Conservatory. At the same time he worked with b^s father 
assisting him in the construction of pipe organs and thus acquired a knowledge of 
Te LrLte mechanism of such instruments. In 1888 Frank hi„.self becameaprac- 
tical organ builder, and since that year has built thirty-eight pipe organs Best of 
^his work is appreciated at home, as is shown by the fact that many of his organ 
ar; in use in this'dty. The largest and perhaps his best piece of work >s seen m 
grand organ that adorns St. Mary's church and which cost about ^^00^";^:°;^ 
fsalso seen in Christ church, Trinity, the First Baptist, North and West Presbj 
tertn churches, in the Masonic temple and several ^t^^" P-^-^^^^^^l^ng 
city His factory on Doubleday street employs several workmen and is exceeding > 
we^; eq^ljped for his work. In all local musical circles Mr. Beman is well koo.n. 



&02 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

while his general reputation as a skilled musician and organ builder extends through- 
out Southern New York and Northern Pennsylvania. On December 3, 1880. Frank 
Beman married Fanny L., daughter of Lewis S. Abbott and a descendant from three 
of the most respected pioneers of Binghamton, Selah Squires, Myron Merrill and 
Col. Jo.seph B. Abbott. 



Brown, Joseph W., the pioneer laundry proprietor in Binghamton, came to the 
city in 1867 and began his business career as bookkeeper. Later on he was an em- 
ployee in the Bartlett & Blanchard mill, but in 1873 he started che first laundry in 
the city. This was a somewhat hazardous undertaking at the time, and our people 
were a little slow in showing their appreciation of the enterprise through patronage. 
When the business was begun Mr. Brown had very little laundry equipment of any 
kind, but soon built for himself several machines with which he managed to perform 
all the work which was sent to him. His present laundry — Mr. Brown is still in the 
business — is one of the best equipped establishments of its kind in this part of the 
State. 

Mr. Brown was born in Windsor, October 10, 1836, and is the son of the late Dan- 
iel Roe Brown, who came from Long Island and was an early settler in Windsor. 
Joseph was brought up on a farm and was educated in Windsor Academy. He be- 
came a bookkeeper and as such was for several years employed in Virginia and also 
in New York city. In 1867 he came to Binghamton and has since been identified 
with the best history of the city. For more than thirty years he has been a member 
of the First Presbyterian church, and for more than twenty-five years was secretary 
or treasurer of its Sunday school. He has been a deacon in the church since 1882. 
On June 19, 1862, Mr. Brown married Harriet Huse Eastman, daughter of the late 
Rev. Joseph B. Eastman, a former pastor of the Windsor Presbyterian church and 
at one time principal of Windsor Academy. Of the marriage just mentioned five 
children have been born, four of whom are now livmg. 



Signor, John M., proprietor of what is frequently called the " Rubber tire " livery, 
conceded the best appointed establishment of its kind and size in the State, has been 
a resident in this city since 1878. Mr. Signor's reputation as a horseman and livery- 
man preceded him in Binghamton, for he was brought up to the business many years 
ago. He conducted a livery first in Moravia — his native town — then in Auburn, 
next in Cortland and from the latter village came to this city twenty-one years ago. 
Mr. Signor has three sons, all of whom are employed in his stables, the eldest son, 
Arthur M. Signor, being manager of the business, and one of the most popular young 
liverymen in the city. John M. Signor was born in Moravia, in 1839, and was the 
son of Peter and the grandson of Albert Signor, the latter an old pioneer of Onon- 
daga county. Mr. Signor's wife, whom he married February 22, 1864, was Mary 
Kellogg, by whom he had three sons and one daughter, the latter dying young. The 
sons are Arthur M., Fred D and J. M. Signor. Arthur M. Signor was born in Mo- 
ravia September 16, 1867, and like his father was brought up in the livery business, 
and possesses the rare faculty of successfully handling carriages at all home and 
public receptions. In October, 1889, he married Cora Adams, by whom he has two 
children, a son and a daughter. 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 903 

McMahon, Michael, has been a factor in Binghamton history for a period of more 
than forty years. He is a native of Ireland, the son of John McMahon, a respectable 
farmer, who died when Michael was a child. In 1855 Michael and his mother came 
to Binghamton. Two years later the son, then being fifteen years old, was appren- 
ticed to learn the trade of wagon making with Amos D. Stockwell, whom all our 
older residents will remember with esteem. At the end of his four years apprentice- 
ship, Michael worked as journeyman two or three years, and then became partner 
in the firm of Finley& McMahon, with works at the northwest corner of Evans basin, 
where the Voorhees factory now stands. Fiuley & McMahon were in business dur- 
ing the years 1866-68, and in 1869 the firm of Stockwell & McMahon was formed and 
began business on Eldridge street, where Mr. McMahon's works now stand. Mr. 
Stockwell died in 1881, and since that time the .surviving partner has continued busi- 
ness alone. As is well known throughout Broome county, Mr. McMahon is a wagon 
and carriage builder of unusual merit, and his work is his best advertisement. In- 
deed, when the city fire department is in need of an exceptionally substantial hose 
wagon, Mr. McMahon's shop is first visited and an order placed; and as it is with 
the fire department, so it is with business men generally in the city. Mr. McMahon 
has taken an active interest in the civil history of the city, serving four years as 
alderman and several years as park commissioner, being president of the latter board 
two years. Mr. McMahon's wife is Ellen, daughter of John Gorman of Susquehanna 
county. Pa. Six children have been born of their marriage. 



Harris, Frank E., proprietor of Harris' Flavoring Extract works, in the Gaylord & 
Eitapenc building on State and Lewis streets, began his business career in the 
capacity of commercial traveler, selling extracts "on the road" for a Utica house. 
In 1889 he came to this city and started in business for himself and is the most ex- 
tensive manufacturer in his line in Binghamton, and one of the largest in the United 
States. Mr. Harris is a native of Jersey Shore, Lycoming county, Pa., born in 1867. 
He was educated chiefly at the Whitney's Point academy, after which, in 1885 he 
began traveling with a line of extracts. In this city Mr. Harris' time is devoted en- 
tirely to business. In Marathon, Cortland county, on December 25, 1886, Mr. 
Harris married Carrie B. Goodale, daughter of the late George W. Goodale, of that 
village. Three children have been born of this marriage. 



Sears, Oliver W., general coal dealer, has been a factor in local history nearly 
thirty- five years. He was born in Newark Valley in 1846, and first came to Bing- 
hamton in 1860. Five years later he became a permanent resident, and was clerk 
for his brother, Charles W. Sears, bookseller and stationer, until 1874. In the year 
last mentioned the name of O. W. Sears appeared over the door of a store on the 
south side of Court street, where he carried on a book and stationery business about 
one year. Later on he was connected with R. A. Ford's coal office. He then suc- 
ceeded Fred M. Hallock, merchant tailor, in the Perry building, where he was in 
business about two or three years, after which he rented the Pope coal yard on the 
west side. In 1884 Mr. Sears purchased land, erected buildings and established a 
coal yard and business at his present location at the corner of Oak and Clinton .streets. 
In city business circles he is looked upon as a thorough and straightforward business 



904 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

man, and of such men who in fact have contributed to the prosperity of the city it is 
the purpose of this work to make mention. Mr. Sears's wife, with whom he married 
November 19, 1875, is Georgianna Bartlett, daughter of the late Robert S. Bartlett 
and granddaughter of Captain Isaac Bartlett, a pioneer in Tioga county. Mr. and 
Mrs. Sears have two children. 



Talbott, Page W., came to Hve in Binghamton in 1878, and from that to the pres- 
ent time has been a factor for good, both in the civil and business history of the city. 
In the year mentioned the firm of J. B. Talbott & Co. began dealing in wool and 
hides, at No. 173 Water street, and while at first the business of the house was com- 
paratively small it has grown and increased with each succeeding year and is now 
recognized as one of the leadmg concerns of the southern tier. April 1, 1900, J. B. 
Talbott and L. W. Potter retired from the firm and P. W. Talbott became sole owner. 
The three proprietors of the original firm are among our prominent citizens, active 
in every measure proposed for the benefit of the city and its people. Indeed, Bing- 
hamton to-day owes its prosperity to just such men as the Talbotts, who came from 
adjoining counties and by their efforts have established a healthful and constantly 
growing condition of business life. 

Page W. Talbott was born in Lapeer, Cortland county, October 11, 1849, and is 
the son and fifth of eight children of Joseph B. and Emeline (Page) Talbott. All of 
these children except one (Delos Talbott, who was killed in New Orleans during the 
war of 1861-5) are now living, and several of them are engaged in successful business 
pursuits in this city. Page W. Talbott is owner of the property on Water street, 
where the firm of J. B. Talbott & Co. does business. He has been for more than 
ten years a member and now is one of the trustees of Fountain Chemical Co. of the 
Binghamton Fire Department. He is also one of the vestrymen of the church of the 
Good Shepherd. As an earnest Republican Mr. Talbott takes an active interest in 
political affairs, and in 1896-7 he represented the Sixth ward in the Common Council. 

In 1877 Mr. Talbott married Celestia Paige. They have two sons, James Franklin 
Talbott, a graduate of Wyommg Seminary and now engaged in the coal business in 
this city, and Charles Warren Talbott, a student in our city schools 



McLean, William M., of the dry goods house of Hills, McLean & Haskins, is a 
native of Cherry Valley, N. Y., and was born May 8, 1858. He was the son of Will- 
iam and Phebe (Webb) McLean, his father being a printer by trade. The young life 
of William M. McLean was spent chiefly in Cooperstown, where he was educated in 
the village high school. At the age of sixteen years he began working as a clerk in 
a grocery, but afterward changed to a dry goods store. He was thus employed seven 
years. His earnings were saved and formed his starting capital in business life. 
In 1861 Mr. McLean came to Binghamton with the late E. Delavan Hills, and under 
the firm name of Hills, McLean & Williams opened a general dry goods store on 
Court street. Mr. Hills and Mr. McLean were former acquaintances in Otsego 
county, and in Binghamton Mr. Williams was taken into the firm by reason of his 
extensive acquaintance in the city. In 1895 the junior partner was succeeded by 
Fred H. Haskins, and the firm name was thereupon changed to Hills, McLean & 
Haskins, as now known, although Mr. Hills was removed by the hand of death in 




PAGE W. TALBOTT. 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 905 

February, 1890. The firm of Hills, McLean & Haskins is well known in business 
circles in this city and generally throughout the country. Our people remember the 
comparatively small stock carried by the house when it began business a few doors 
below the present location. Subsequent years have witnessed a marvelous growth 
in the operations of the firm, and now it occupies more greund floor space than any 
dry goods concern in the city. This certainly indicates that the business has been 
prudently and successfully managed, and that the proprietors have the confidence 
and respect of our people. Mr. McLean has striven faithfully to accomplish the de- 
sirable results thus attained, for during the last ten years he has virtually been the 
business head of the house. His time is devoted chiefly to business, yet his interest 
in the affairs of the city is earnest and commendable. He is a director of the Y. 
M. C. A., president of the board of trustees of the Tabernacle M. E. church, treas- 
urer of the Broome County Bible Society, and a member of the city Board of Char- 
ities. On July 22, 1882, in Springfield, Otsego county, Mr. McLean was united in 
marriage to Emily J. McLean. They have five children: Floyd D., Charles Moss- 
man, Grace Elizabeth, Elinas Delavan and William McLean. 



Dunning, Julius O., has been a prominent factor in Binghamton history almost 
twenty years. In 1880 he opened a meat market on Main street, and afterward as 
partner in the firm of Morse & Dunning, carried on a grocery and meat business at 
No. 4 Main street. In 1884 he sold out and opened a new store at No. 16 Court 
street, continuing until 1890, when the well known firm of Dunning Bros, began 
business at the same place. In 1896 a constantly increasing trade demanded larger 
quarters hence the firm then removed to 186-8 Washington street, with store room 
extending through to State street. In 1897 the Dunning Grocery Company was in- 
corporated, with a capital of $'20,000, and with J. O. Dunning, president; J. E. 
Dunning, treasurer, and J. B Dunning, secretary. The Dunning Grocery company 
is unquestionably the largest concern of its kind in the city and one of the largest in 
the State outside the metropolis. 

The Dunning brothers in Binghamton are numbered among our first business men, 
and all of them are natives of the county. The pioneer of the family in this State, 
was James Dunning, an old Connecticut sea captain who settled in New York city 
in 1824. In 1842 James B. Dunning, son of James, settled in Otsego county, where 
he was a carpenter. About 1850 he came to Kattellville, Broome county, and con- 
tinued work at his trade until advanced years compelled his retirement from active 
pursuits. He is remembered as an earnest, hard working man and an upright citi- 
zen. He married Julia E. Handy, who bore him eight children: Julius O. Dunning, 
president o£ the grocery company, was born October 16, 1857: Judson E. Dunning, 
treasurer, was born March 25, 1867; and Joshua B. Dunning, secretary, was born 
March 24, 1870. These brothers are of the quality and character of men who have 
made our city what it is to-day. 



Wadsworth, Charles W., Binghamton freight agent of the D. and H. Canal Com- 
pany, began his career in the company's employment in 1871 as clerk in the office at 
Cooperstown Junction, where he remained about a year. He was then appointed 
station agent at Oneonta, where he lived two years, and was in 1874 transferred to 



906 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

this city. In railroad circles Mr. Wadsworth is recognized as a competent official 
and upright business man. He does not take an active part in the public affairs of 
the city, yet he is known as a thoroughly loyal citizen, deeply interested in all that 
pertains to the welfare both of the city and its people. For twelve years he has been 
chairman of the R. R. Y. M. C. A., and for nearly fifteen years a member of the 
First Presbyterian church of this city. Mr. Wadsworth was born in Auburn, N. Y., 
August 13, 1850, and is the son of Daniel and Amanda (Allen) Wadsworth, his father 
being a farmer with land adjoining the Auburn city limits. Charles was brought up 
on the farm and was educated in Auburn academy. After graduating he learned the 
printing trade, and for three years worked in the office of the Auburn Daily Adver- 
tiser. He was thus employed previous to his connection with the D. & H. C. Co. 
On November 12, 1874, Mr. Wadsworth married Louise M. , daughter of William 
Scudder, of Hamilton, Ohio. Of this marriage two children, a son and a daughter, 
have been born. 



Ostrom, Earl D., was born in Binghamton, January 23, 1857. He is the third in a 
family of seven children of Edmund B. Ostrom, the latter having been a resident of 
Binghamton and its vicinity since 1847. Edmund B. Ostrom for several years was 
engaged in mercantile pursuits in Albany, from which city he removed to Bingham- 
ton. For many years he was engaged in the livery business, and now is one of our 
oldest citizens. Earl was educated in the Binghamton public schools, after which he 
was for ten years shipping clerk in Geo. A. Kent & Co.'s cigar factory. He was next 
engaged in the manufacture of soap with the late R. H. Meagley, and spent about 
four years on the road as salesman. In 1886 he began the manufacture of cigars, as 
senior partner in the once well known firm of Ostrom, Barnes & Co. Two years later 
the firm changed to E. D. Ostrom & Co., and in 1890, upon the death of Mr. Meag- 
ley, Mr. Ostrom continued the business as sole proprietor until February, 1896, when 
he sold his manufacturing interests and devoted himself exclusively to the retail 
trade. Thus, for many years Mr. Ostrom has been identified with the city's leading 
industry, and in all his transactions he has been regarded as an active, enterprising 
and straightforward business man. In Masonic circles he stands high, having a 
membership in all the subordinate bodies, also in Malta Commandery, Otseningo 
Consistory and Kalurah Temple of the Mysiic Shrine. As a Mason Mr. 0.strom has 
taken the thirty-second degree. For many j^ears also he was a member of Excelsior 
Hook and Ladder Co., B. F. D. , and now is enrolled in the Exempt Firemen's Asso- 
ciation. Mr. Ostrom's wife, whom he married October 9, 1878, was Frances M., 
second daughter of the late John A. Meagley, an old and well known citizen of Bing- 
hamton. Two children have been born of the marriage just mentioned. 



Abbott, Joseph Barker, was born August 5, 1837, in Binghamton in the same 
house, 139 Court street, in which he now resides. His parents were William Edwin 
and Susan Abbott. The family are of good old New England stock, the Abbotts 
having come to America with the Pilgrims in 1630, This branch settled in Connect- 
icut. In 1822, William Edwin Abbott and his brother Charles N. came overland on 
horseback from Connecticut to Broome county and joined their brothers. Col. Joseph 
and James Abbott, who had preceded them. Aaron Abbott, the father of the four 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 907 

last named, was a resident of New Canaan, Conn., from which place each of the 
four brothers started on their long trip through the primeval forest. Aaron twice 
enlisted and served in the Revolutionary war, and was one of the party which placed 
the chain across the Hudson river to obstruct the British fleet. He was engaged 
in several battles on the Connecticut coast of Long Island Sound, and died at the 
ripe old age of ninety-seven years. 

Pine Street School, then a wooden structure on Pine street between Carroll street 
and Fayette street, the old Binghamton Academy and an academy at Westport, 
Conn., furnished Joseph Barker Abbott his education. After finishing his school 
work, for several years he was clerk in the Binghamton post-office. Col. J. B. Abbott 
being postmaster. He was called to the position of deputy postmaster at Syracuse 
in 1856, and remained there until the breaking out of the war. With the change of 
administration he returned to Binghamton, but before leaving the Saline city he 
aided Colonel Waring in raising a company for " Les Enfants Perdu" Regiment. 

Upon his arrival in the city, Mr. Abbott enlisted in the 137th N. Y. Vols., and was 
appointed sergeant-major of the regiment before it left the city for the front. He 
obtained a knowledge of military affairs while belonging to the Syracuse Citizens 
Corps and was thus able to drill the non-commissioned officers of the 137th Regi- 
ment. Shortly after the regiment reached Washington he was appointed and com- 
missioned adjutant and served in that capacity until mustered out by order of the 
secretary of war, March 4, 1863, on account of sickness. Up to this time he was 
continually with his regiment on all its marches and all its engagements and has the 
New York State Gettysburg medal. 

Upon recovering his health, Mr. Abbott again entered the army, this time in a 
staff department, for which he was eminently fitted He served first in North Caro- 
lina; then m front of Richmond with the 10th Army Corps; then at City Point, 
Grant's headquarters, and at the latter place Mr. Abbott remained until the surren- 
der of Lee, entering Richmond two days after that event. Previous to this, January 
1, 1864, he was present at the blowing up, by General Butler, of the bulkhead of the 
Dutch Gap canal. 

After Lee's surrender, Mr. Abbott was stationed at Baltimore, Md., then General 
Hancock's headquarters, commanding the Middle Military Department, and in 1866 
was transferred to Fort Riley, Kansas, where the famous 7th Cavalry was being or- 
ganized by General Custer. In 1867 he was in the Indian campaigns with Generals 
Hancock, Smith and Custer, and in 1868 was stationed at Fort Harker, Kansas. In 
the fall of the same year he was transferred to Fort Union, N. M., it taking thirty-one 
days to drive over the plains, mountains and table lands. At the end of a year's ser- 
vice at this point he left the army and returned to Binghamton for a short time. 
After two years in the flour and grain business in Baltimore, Md , Mr. Abbott again 
returned to Binghamton and accepted a position in the Erie ticket office where he 
remained ten years. For the past five years he has been cashier of the Security Mu- 
tual Life Insurance Company— a very responsible and exacting position. 

At Lee. Mass., February 13, 1873, Mr. Abbott was married to Mary Cornelia 

Stevens, daughter of John C. and Caroline Brewer Stevens. They have no children. 

As a charter member of Joseph J. Bartlett Post No. 668, G. A. R., Mr. Abbott has 

served his organization with zeal. He was three years adjutant, one year, IbJb, 

senior vice-commander, one year, 1897, commander, and held by appointment the 



908 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

position of acting assistant adjutant-general, thus making hira commander of the 
Broome County Battalion in the great parade at Buffalo, 1897. 

The office walls of numerous societies and corporations— also private residences in 
many States of the Union— show evidences of Mr. Abbott's skill as a penman and 
his artistic capabilities m engrossing resolutions. In fact he has a many sided na- 
ture, having great ability as a woodcarver, stained glass worker, and the evidences 
of his skill at painting abound in his home. 



Moon, George O., whose sudden death on December 27, 1898, took from our busi- 
ness life one of its foremost members, was a resident of this city almost thirty-five 
years; and during that period, in his own quiet way, he was one of the most impor- 
tant factors in our municipal history and growth. Mr. Moon never worked in a man- 
ner calculated to draw attention to himself, for such a course would have been en- 
tirely foreign to his nature; nor did he ever accept any political position, although 
frequently urged to become a candidate of his party (the Republican) for the mayor- 
alty when men of his especial strength and unquestioned integrity were needed on 
the ticket. 

Mr. Moon was a native of Woodstock, Ulster county, and was born August 12, 
1829. He was educated in the district schools, and at the age of eighteen years he 
learned the carpenter's trade. Soon afterward he went with his step-brother, whose 
surname was Gulnac, to Liberty, Sullivan county, where he worked several years, 
and where he first met his wife, whose maiden name was Augusta Young. They 
were married February 28, 1854. Five years later, having saved all his earnings of 
earlier years, Mr. Moon went to Narrowsburg, where he carried on a general country 
store for five years, doing a large and remunerative business. He then sold out and 
in the spring of 1865 came to Binghamton, where he ever afterward lived. 

In that year he, in company with Mason W. Bosworth, became proprietors of the 
Lewis Mills, at the head of Water street, and established the firm name of Geo. Q. 
Moon & Co., a name which has since been known in milling circles in this part of 
State, although during the period several partners have been associated with the 
head of the firm. Mentioned in order, these partners were Mr. Bosworth, Darius S. 
Ayers, Alvah Ayers, Robert J. Bates, all excellent business associates, but all of whom, 
like the founder of the firm, are now dead. About or soon after 1870 Geo. Q. Moon & 
Co. purchased the large Weed Mills at Port Dickinson, which the firm eventually turned 
into a roller process flouring mill, with a very large capacity. These mills were 
burned in 1884, after which the firm purchased the elevator propert}^ on North Depot 
street and converted it into a roller mill with a daily capacity of 500 barrels of flour. 

Mr. Bates was partner with Mr. Moon more than twenty years, during which time 
the firm was counted among the foremost business houses of Southern New York. 
Both partners are now dead, yet the old firm name still stands. The business is 
now managed by Walter J. Moon and Watts Bates. Mr. Moon, while a successful 
miller, was a natural carpenter and builder and took a special interest in that work. 
On four different occasions he erected a four-story building on his home property at 
the corner of Lewis and Chenango streets. His last work in this direction was in 
1898, when the large stone building was erected. It is one of the finest buildings of 
its kind in the city, and has proved an excellent investment. 




GEORGE Q. MOON. 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 909 

The children of George Q. and Augusta (Young) Moon, whose marriage has been 
previously noted, were Lizzie, who died young; Walter J., for many years in the 
mill office and now one of its managers; William Y., of the Bank for Savings of New 
York city; Fred, a cigar manufacturer of this city; George A., an employee of the 
flour mill office and S. Augusta Moon, of this city. 



Lewis, Edward L., more frequently known to his acquaintances as Captain Lewis, 
came to Binghamton from Oswego in 1858, and from that time to the time of his re- 
tirement from business pursuits a few years ago, he was an active factor in city his- 
tory. He is the son of the late Edward H. Lewis, who at one time was a well known 
figure in Binghamton village history, and who perhaps is best remembered as pro- 
prietor of the American Hotel. On May 3, 1861, Edward L. Lewis, in company 
with an acquaintance, walked into the old Brighara Hall where Joseph J. Bartlett 
had just opened a recruiting station, and enrolled themselves as members of Co. C, 
27th N. Y. Vol. Inf., Captain Lewis first "signing the roll." This was the first en- 
listment in Broome county. He was commissioned first lieutenant May 21, 1861, 
and was promoted captain to succeed Captain Bartlett, who was commissioned major. 
Later on Captain Lewis resigned, returned to Binghamton and recruited Co. E, 109th 
Regiment. As the military chapter shows, he afterward resigned from the service, 
and, returning home he engaged in mercantile pursuits nearly thirty years. Captain 
Lewis's wife is Mary B. M., daughter of the late Erasmus D. Robinson, of this city. 



Jones, Gerry, vice-president and general manager of the Jones of Binghamton 
Company, and member of the city park commission, is an almost lifelong resident of 
Binghamton, and is the only son of Gen. Edward F. Jones. He was born in Pep- 
perell, Mass., in 1864, and came with his father's family to this city in the following 
year. He was educated in the city schools and was graduated at the B. C. H. S. 
with the class of '82. He was prepared for Harvard but abandoned the idea of a 
college course and became an employee in the scale works ; and although his father 
was president of the company and he might have taken an easy position in the office, 
he nevertheless went into the shops and learned every detail of scale making from 
the foundry to the finishing room. In 1885 he was made manager, and in 1886, un- 
der the reincorporation of that year, was elected secretary and treasurer of the com- 
pany. He continued in that capacity until January 1, 1899, when he was chosen to 
his present responsible position of vice-president and general manager. For several 
years Mr. Jones has been a member of the city board of trade and was one of its 
trustees from 1887 to 1890. He also is a member of Excelsior H. & L. Company 
of several years' standing. His term as city park commissioner began January 1, 
1899. Mr. Jones is a member of Otseningo I^odge, F. & A. M. ; was raised up in 
1886, and knighted in 1887. 



Goff, Henry A., came to Binghamton from Connecticut—" the land of steady hab- 
its"— in 1852 with Horace N. Lester, who was for so many years a manufacturer of 
and wholesale dealer in boots and shoes. Mr. Goff traveled for Mr. Lester and was 
practically the first traveling shoe salesman that went out of Binghamton. He con- 
tinued his connection with that house for twenty-five years during the firm's various 



910 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

changes as Horace Lester, Way & Lester, Lester Brothers, Lester Brothers & Co. 
The subject of our sketch was for ten years a member of the firm of Lester Brothers 
& Co., succeeded in 1877 by J. M. Stone & Co., of which firm also he was a member. 
After a period of about twelve years, Mr. Goff purchased Mr. Stone's interest and 
the firm Stone, Goff & Co. became wholesale jobbers m boots, shoes and rubber 
goods. Three years later a new firm, Goff & Macomber, was formed and after an- 
other year, by the admission of D. A. Smith, the firm became H. A. Goff & Co. In 
1896 T. B. Crary took an interest, the firm remaining as before, H. A. Goff & Co. 
The present firm- is one of the strongest and most popular shoe concerns in the south- 
ern tier, doing an extensive business throughout New York, Pennsylvania and New 
Jersey. Though most of Mr. Goff's time has been devoted to business, outside in- 
terests have had a share in his attention. He has for a number of years been a 
member of the board of trustees of the First Congregational church with which he 
has been connected for more than forty years. 



Truman, James C, whom citizens of Binghamton remember as one of the best post- 
masters the city ever had, and who afterward gained and still holds a distinguished 
prominence in New York State Democratic politics (for he is a natural political leader 
and safe adviser), first became a factor in local history in 1872, when, having the 
preceding year lost almost his entire property in the Chicago fire, he cast his lot in 
Binghamton and engaged in the produce business. Soon afterward he became asso- 
ciated with the management of the Daily Times, but gradually he drifted into other 
enterprises of greater importance and magnitude, which took him away from this 
city for several years, although he always maintained a residence here. (The various 
operations in which Mr. Truman was engaged were carried on outside of this city, 
hence a detail of their character is unnecessary in this place). While living tempo- 
rarily in New Orleans in 1884-5 (commissioner representing this State at the World's 
exposition) Mr. Truman contracted malaria, which prostrated him and nearly cost 
him his life, and from the effects of which he never has fully recovered. When 
health was in a measure restored he resided for a time in Washington having a po- 
sition in the Treasury department. In 1888 he was appointed postmaster at Bing- 
hamton, and during his incumbency of the office the efficiency of the postal service 
in the city was greatly increased. Later on, after his successor was appointed, ]\Ir. 
Truman engaged in business pursuits in other localities than this city, and in con- 
nection with them, and his wide acquaintance with men and measures, he attained 
an enviable prominence in the councils of the Democracy both in State and national 
politics; and when retired from active pursuits he returned again to the city and 
occupied the elegant Phelps mansion on Court street, of which he had become the 
owner, and where he now resides. On June 6, 1863, Mr. Truman married Serena 
Wilbur, of Fall River, Mass. Of this marriage six children were born; two of whom 
are still living. 



Balcom, George N., contractor and builder, has been a resident of Binghamton 
since 1882, and of the county since 1856. He was born in Sherburne, Chenango 
county, April 29, 1846, the son of Benjamin G. Balcom, who settled in Vestal about 
1856 and was a lumberman and farmer in that town and afterward a farmer near 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 911 

Hawleyton. in the town of Binghamton. George spent his youth on a farm, and 
acquired his early education in a district school. When si.xteen years old, on August 
4, 1862, he enlisted in the 16th N. Y. Ind. Battery and served three years as a private; 
and was mustered out of service in July, 1865. He never applied for a pension. 
Returning from the service, he completed his education in the Clinton Liberal insti- 
tute and the Cortland Normal school, after which he taught district schools nearly 
ten years. He also learned the carpenter trade and worked as journeyman about 
ten years, when he became a contracting builder. He came to the city in 1882. 
Mr. Balcom is among the prominent business men of the North Side. He is a firm 
Republican, though in no sense' a politician. In town affairs, while living in Haw- 
leyton, he took a more active part and was frequently elected to town office. He is 
prominently connectedwith Watrous post, G. A. R., and served as commander two 
years. He is also a member of Binghamton lodge, F. & A. M.. of Binghamton chap- 
ter, R. A. M., and Malta commandery, K. T. On August 14, 1867. Mr. Balcom 
married Adelia, daughter of Theodore Gage, of Hawleyton. Four children were 
born of this marriage, two of whom are now living. 



Darling, Charles Stephen, Binghamton, has always been a resident of the south- 
ern tier of counties in the Empire State He was born in historic Sullivan county in 
1855. His father was William Darling and his mother Susan (Barnes) Darling. 
Those cradles of American liberty, the public schools, furnished Mr. Darling with 
his education and upon leaving school he immediately embarked in the meat business 
in his native town. It was in 1879 when Mr. Darling started in the meat business in 
Binghamton, which business he has uninterruptedly and successfully conducted to 
the present time. 

Politics claim a share of Mr. Darling's attention and ability. He is a Democrat 
and has twice represented his ward, the Fourth, in the Binghamton Board of Alder- 
men. In Masonic circles he also stands high, having taken all degrees up to and in- 
cluding the thirty-second degree. 

In the year 1879, Mr. Darling was united in marriage to Lottie E. Myers, of Sulli- 
van county. They have three children, Ida E., Edith M., and Agnes. 

Knapp, Martin T., proprietor of the general machine works on State street, is a 
native of Broome county, and has spent his whole business life in the city. He was 
born in Chenango, August 13, 1849, and is the son of the late William Knapp, the 
latter being remembered as a competent machinist in the city for many years, and 
also as senior member of the old firm of Knapp, Shultz & Heath, who began business 
in Millville in 1878. About five years later Mr. Shultz retired from the firm, and in 
1889 Martin T. Knapp succeeded to Mr. Heath's interest. The firm of Knapp & Son 
was then established, and was continued to 1894, when William Knapp died. In 
1861 the elder Knapp came to Binghamton and was employed in the machine shops 
of Shapley, Dunk & Co. Martin was educated in the old Pine street district school, 
but early went out to farm work. In 1865 he enlisted in Co. A, 50th N. Y. Engineers, 
but on account of his youth he was discharged at the end of about six months. Re- 
turning home he was employed in the Noyes Comb factory about five or six years, 
after which he learned the trade of machinist with his father. Mr. Knapp is a thor- 



912 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

oughly loyal Binghamtonian, taking an interest in all that promotes the city's wel- 
fare and growth. In the fall of 1897 he was elected to the board of supervisors, 
serving two years. In October, 1873, Mr. Knapp married Olive, daughter of the late 
William Bennett, an old resident of Binghamton. One son, Arthur Knapp, who is 
employed in his father's shop, was born of this marriage. 



Spaulding, Evander, for almost two generations one of the most prominent and 
popular residents of Binghamton, was born in Ithaca, N. Y., December 17, 1810, and 
died in Binghamton, March 28, 1900, in a residence he had occupied for over fifty 
years. 

While in Ithaca he was a very active member of the fire department and on taking 
up his residence in Binghamton, in 1845, he associated himself with the firemen here. 
His manner, always affable, combined with a wealth of anecdote and story, made 
him a central figure and his sound judgment and the sterling qualities of his man- 
hood inspired his associates with a deep respect and confidence. 

For eighteen years he was city overseer of the poor and county superintendent of 
the poor. While county superintendent the present county house was constructed 
under his charge. He filled these offices in a highly creditable manner. 

In religious belief, Mr. Spaulding was a Unitarian. Among the fraternities, he 
was a member of Otseningo lodge, F. & A. M., of Calumet lodge, I. O. O. F., and 
of the Exempt Firemen's Association. 

Mr. Spaulding was first married at Ithaca to Martha O' Daniels, who died in 1851. 
He subsequently married Sally C. Sweet, of Gibson, Susquehanna county. Pa., who 
at the age of ninety-two years survives him. By his first wife, Mr. Spaulding had 
six children, of whom one daughter, Mrs. Ella Wells Newton, and one son, Judson 
M. Spaulding, survive him. Both were born in Ithaca, and came overland from that 
place with their father fifty-four years ago. Judson M. was educated in the public 
schools and when fourteen years old commenced work in the Binghamton Democrat 
office, then owned by John R. Dickinson, the foreman being W. S. Lawyer, the ed- 
itor of this work. For twenty years he was foreman of the Republican job printing 
department, and afterward for five years conducted a printmg business of his own. 
He is now connected with the printing department of the Security Mutual Life In- 
surance Company. During the Civil war he was employed in the commissary de- 
partment of the United States military railroads, being stationed at City Point, Va. 
From 1891 to 1895, he was a member of the Binghamton Excise Board, and has always 
taken an active interest in politics although he never sought public office. 

Among the fraternities, Mr. Spaulding is an Odd Fellow of thirty-five years 
standing. 

June 7, 1868, Mr. Spaulding was married to Ella L. Tiffany, of Harford, Pa. They 
have no children. 



Bloomer, John Ellsworth, principal and proprietor of the Lowell School of Business, 
has been identified with the educational interests of the city since 1881. Prof. 
Bloomer, for by this title he is best known, is a native of Lapeer, Cortland county, 
born December 17, 18fi0, the son of Ronald A. and the grandson of Isaac Bloomer, 
the latter being the son of one of the pioneers of Cortland county and of New Eng- 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 913 

land stock. When Prof. Bloomer was a boy his father, who was a manufacturer, 
removed from Lapeer to Whitney's Point, and in the latter village his young life was 
chiefly spent. He was educated in the Whitney's Point academy, completing the 
regular course and afterward taking special post-graduate studies preparatory to a 
Cornell university course. However, in 1879 he came to Binghamton and for the 
next two years was principal of the Union school in the eastern part of the town of 
Union, now the Helen street school in the city. In 1881 Prof. Bloomer became in- 
structor in Lowell's Commercial college, and continued eight years, having charge 
of its business department. In 1889 he became principal and also succeeded Prof 
Lowell in the ownership of the school. At that time the curriculum of the institu- 
tion included courses of study in bookkeeping, business methods and penmanship, 
but in later years, under the new management, the college course also included 
telegraphy and short-hand, or stenography ; and thousands of bright young men and 
women have acquired a thorough education in some useful branch of commercial 
business in this recognized institution and are securely established in profitable po- 
sitions. In 1897, in conformity with a recently enacted State law, the name Lowell's 
Commercial College was changed to " The Lowell School of Business," as now known 
throughout southern New York and northern Pennsylvania. More than that, the 
school is registered by the regents department, and is the only institution of its kind 
in this county which is so recognized. Thus, for a period of almost twenty years has 
Prof. John Ellsworth Bloomer been a factor for good in the educational history of 
this city . In 1889 he became proprietor of a business college which stood high among 
its kindred institutions in the State, and during his period of principalship the stand- 
ard of former years has been both maintained and constantly elevated. Prof. Bloomer 
is a member of the Binghamton Academy of Science. On December 25, 1883, Mr. 
Bloomer married Anna, daughter of Henry Gardner of this city. Four children have 
been born of this marriage. 



Bloomer, Elijah F., son of Capt. Coles and Louisa Ferris Bloomer, was born in 
Kent, Putnam county, June 29. 1829, and in 1837 came with his parents to Broome 
county, settling on the river road in Union. In 1848 Elijah came to Binghamton and 
learned the trade of carpenter with Solomon Aldrich. In 1852 he began business for 
himself, and in 1856 bought the property he now owns at the corner of Hawley and 
Collier streets About 1875 he discontinued building operations and has since dealt in 
building materials and supplies. Mr. Bloomer is the oldest living active Free Mason 
in the city, having become a member of Binghamton lodge in 1853. For four years, 
from 1868 to 1871, he was a member of the board of education. Mr. Bloomer's wife, 
whom he married March 1, 1853, was Emma, daughter of Abram Tyler, of Union. 
Three children, Ella, Jennie and Charles R. Bloomer were born of this marriage. 
Mrs. Bloomer died August 5, 1896. 



Matthews, Isaiah S., was for many years identified with the history of the village 
and subsequent city of Binghamton, and was, withal, one of its most honorable bu.si- 
ness men. He was born in Washington county, January 14, 1816, and in 1820 came 
with the family of his father— Isaiah Matthews— to Tioga county, settling in the 
town of Nichols. About 1828 Ephraim F. Matthews came to Binghamton and start- 
58 



914 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

ed a plow factory on the west side of Chenango river, the site of the afterward known 
Cushing & Sanders factory, and where now stands the High School building. Isaiah 
S. Matthews soon followed his brother to the village and became his partner in the 
plow works. After the canal was opened the firm moved to the east side of that 
once famous thoroughfare of traffic and resumed business about on the site where 
now stands I. S Matthews Sons' store. About 1840 Isaiah S. Matthews became sole 
proprietor of the business formerly carried on by his brother and himself, and in the 
course of time dropped the manufacture of plows and became a general dealer in 
agricultural implements, seeds and farm supplies. He continued in active business 
to the time of his death, March 21, 1887, and was succeeded by his sons, Frederick 
H. and Charles D. Matthews, who comprise the present firm of I. S. Matthews' Sons. 
Mr. Matthews' wife was Hannah, daughter of Col. Daniel Stow, of Afton. Their 
children were Frederick H. Matthews, born January 27, 1861, and Charles D. Mat- 
thews, born December 31, 1862. Both were educated in our city schools and were 
brought up in the business conducted by their father. Frederick became partner 
with his father in January, 1882. Charles was for five years an employee of the 
Merchants National Bank, and became his brother s partner in April, 1887. 



Harley, Connell, Binghamton's popular restauranter, came to this city from Phila- 
delphia in 1869, and for about two years, until he became well acquainted with the 
building trade of the locality, he worked as a journeyman carpenter. He then be- 
gan contracting and for nearly twenty-five years afterward he was closely identified 
with the growth and prosperity of the city. He framed and put up the State Armory 
on State street and Prospect avenue, constructed the present foot bridge at the foot 
of Exchange street, and also erected many business buildings and residences in 
various portions of the city. In 1893 his health failed, and in 1894 Mr. Harley estab- 
lished a restaurant and dining hall on Chenango street. He removed to his present 
location on Washington street in January, 1900. Mr. Harley was born in Allegany 
county in 1844. At the age of about five years his father died, after which Connell 
lived with the family of relatives. After his twelfth year he practically made his 
own way in life. He learned the carpenter's trade in Delaware, and afterwards en- 
gaged in business in Philadelphia, where he began contracting and building in 1866. 
In 1869 he came to this city, as has been stated. Mr. Harley was twice supervisor 
of the Fifth ward. In 1868 he married Adelia J., daughter of the late Peter Wentz, 
and a descendant from one of the pioneers of Kirkwood. 



Smith, Frank S., superintendent of Ross Park, first became a factor in Bingham- 
ton history when he removed to the city from Windsor and took charge of the lum- 
ber business carried on by Waite, Quick & Atwell, by whom he was employed sev- 
eral years. Later on he was in the employ of the late Alonzo Roberson about two 
years, but in the spring of 1892 the park commissioners had need of a reliable super- 
intendent to take entire charge of Ross Park and all its property and improvements, 
and Captain Smith was .selected for the place. The statement may be made here 
that the commissioners then in office never had occasion to regret their action in the 
choice of superintendent, while all subsequent park boards have shown a just appre- 
ciation of Captain Smith's untiring energy aqd faithfulness, and have kept him in 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 915 

office to the present day; and thousands of our city's people heartily commend the 
course pursued by the commissioners. 

Frank S. Smith was born in Windsor, September 26, 1836, the son of Norman 
Smith, who emigrated from Litchfield, Conn., to the Wyoming valley in Pennsyl- 
vania, and removed thence to the upper Susquehanna valley soon after settlement 
was begun in the latter region. Frank lived on the home farm in Windsor until he 
was nineteen years old and then began lumbering in the service of James Bigler & 
Co., of Newburgh, with whom he continued seven years, working in this State and 
also in Virginia. In the first year of the war, on October 3, 1861, he enlisted as a 
private in Co. G, 89th N. Y. Vol. Inf. In November following he was promoted 
corporal, and while the command was stationed at Folly Island he was made " Lance 
Sergeant " and ordered home on recruiting service. Corporal Smith was promoted 
quartermaster sergeant in the summer of 1863; first lieutenant in December, 1863, 
and in January, 1864, on the recommendation of Major-Generals John Gibbon and 
George W. Getty, he was commissioned captain of his company. In this capacity 
he served until mustered out in December, 1865, but in this connection it may be 
stated that throughout the entire period of his army service Captain Smith was ab- 
sent from duty only sixteen days, and that on special furlough granted by Major- 
General John A. Dix. Returning home after the war. Captain Smith resumed his 
former occupation as lumberman and so engaged he came to Binghamton, as has 
been stated. 

In 1867 Captain Smith married Emma Catharine Watrous, who once was a teacher 
in the Binghamton public schools, and a daughter of John B. Watrous, of Windsor. 
Two children were born of this marriage: Norman J. Smith, now of the Philadel- 
phia Record, and Edgar S. Smith, who died at the age of thirteen years. 



Gitchell, Hollis M., came to Binghamton in 1890 and for the next six months was 
employed as compositor on the Daily Republican. In 1891, in company with F. E. 
Stillwell, he became proprietor of the Imperial Hotel, on the busy "North Side." 
After about seven months Mr. Gitchell succeeded to the sole proprietorship of the 
hotel and successfully conducted it about three years. (In this connection it may be 
said that Mr. Gitchell is one of the few landlords who made a business success in 
conducting this hotel) In 1895, in partnership with O'Brien & Roberts, lawyers, 
and George W. Little, Mr. Gitchell became interested in the Columbia brewery, on 
Collier street, and largely through his efforts the business was re-established and 
placed upon a paying basis. He was connected with the brewery about four years, 
then sold his interest to Mr. Little, and in August, 1898, opened a large wholesale 
store on Washington street. He now is numbered among the city's successful and 
progressive business men, and whatever he has accomplished during the ten years 
of his residence in Binghamton has been the result of his own energy and capacity. 
Mr. Gitchell's wife is the daughter of the late Ira Wales, an old and respected citizen 
of the town of Union. Mr. and Mrs. Gitchell have one son. 



Bush, Amos J., a veteran both of the war of 1861-5 and the Spanish-American war. 
has been an active factor in Binghamton history more than thirty years He is a 
native of Damascus, Wayne county. Pa., born January 1, 1847, son of John C. and 



916 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

Sarah Ann (Beard) Bush, and a grandson of William Bush, the latter a Hollander by 
birth, a patriot of the Revolution, who was killed in battle at Lackawaxen, on the 
Delaware river. While Amos J. Bush was a boy in school he left his books and on 
October 18, 1863, enlisted in Co. H, 56th N. Y. Inf. Her served until October 17, 
1865, when he was mustered out of service. He then returned to school at the Da- 
mascus academy, where he completed his early education. In the fall of 1869 Mr. 
Bush came to this city and for fourteen years was employed as spoke maker in Amos 
G. Hull's hub and spoke factory. 

On April 1, 1884, upon the completion of the state armory in this city, he was ap- 
pointed armorer, which position he still holds. Previous to that appointment, how- 
ever, and on September 21, 1870, Mr. Bush became a member of the Binghamton 
Veteran Battery, N. G. S. N. Y., with which organization he is still identified, being 
one of the very few surviving members of the old command. In this connection it 
is pleasant to note that Sergeant Bush is the fortunate possessor of two valuable 
medals, one in bronze and the other of solid gold, which were presented to him by 
the State, as a reward for long and faithful service in the National Guard of the 
State of New York. The first of these medals was presented at the expiration of 
twenty and the other at the end of twenty-five years' service. Thus it appears that 
Sergeant Bush has been a member of the famous Sixth Battery thirty years, and the 
efficiency and popularity of that command in the State is in a good measure due to 
his service and the work he has done for its welfare. On July 15, 1898, Sergeant 
Bush was commissioned second lieutenant of the 7th Battery of Light Artillery, N. 
Y. Vols., and served at Camp Black and Rochester until mustered out of service 
November 30, of the same year. 

On June 26, 1870, Amos J. Bush married Abbie, daughter of Samuel Latourette, 
of Wayne county, Pa. Of this marriage five children have been born. 



Perry, Isaac G. , who was recently retired from the office of Capitol Commissioner, 
has been a resident of Binghamton more than forty-two years. Mr. Perry was born 
in Bennington, Vt., March 24, 1822, the son of Seneca Perry, a carpenter and joiner 
by trade, who removed with his family to Keesville, Essex county, N. Y., in 1829. 
Isaac was given a good common school education after which he himself learned the 
carpenter's trade. At the same time the young man showed considerable ability in 
the preparation of drawings, plans and estimates for various buildings and thus 
naturally became an architict as well as a carpenter. In 1848 he left Keesville and 
took up his residence in the city of New York, where he worked at his trade and con- 
tinued his architectural studies until about 1856, when the name of "I. G. Perry, 
Architect," appeared on an office door at the corner of Broadway and Barclay street, 
where he continued professional work for a period of fifteen years. About the be- 
ginning of this period Mr. Perry became acquainted with Dr. J. Edward Turner, 
who, with his partner, Dr. T. Jefferson Gardner, was then practicing medicine in New 
York. Dr. Gardner had previously lived in Keesville, where he and Mr. Perry were 
boyhood acquaintances, and through his friendly offices Dr. Turner and Mr. Perry 
were brought together. It was a fortunate meeting for both men, and equally fortu- 
nate for Binghamton, for Mr. Perry was asked by Dr. Turner to prepare designs for 
an Inebriate Asylum proposed to be erected on a commanding elevation east of our 




ISAAC G, PERRY. 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 917 

then village. With the assistance of his wife Mr Perry made the drawings and spe- 
cifications and prepared the estimates for the magnificent Castellated-Crothic struct- 
ure which now stands on the eastern border of the city, and which was built wholly 
after his designs and under his immediate supervision. In later years, when the 
State acquired title to the property and converted the building into a hospital for in- 
sane persons, Isaac G. Perry was supervising architect of that work, and also in the 
construction of all other building subsequently erected by the State in the vicinity. 

Mr. Perry was in Binghamton much of the time during the progress of work on 
the asylum building, although he maintained an office in New York until about 1863 
or '64. He then became a resident architect of Binghamton. The first business 
building erected here after his plans and under his supervision was the " Commercial 
Block," built for Cyrus Strong in 1864, but in later years the public, manufacturing 
and mercantile buildings constructed under Mr, Perry's supervision might be num- 
bered by hundreds. Among them may be mentioned the Sisson building, Phelps 
Bank building, the Hagaman building, the McNamara building and the Perry build- 
ing, the latter being an iron structure and the first of its kind in the region. But 
Mr. Perry's professional work during all these years was by no means confined to 
Binghamton alone. He formed an extensive business acquaintance throughout the 
State, while in Pennsylvania his fame as an architect preceded him and he was fre- 
quently called to design and supervise the erection of many large structures in that 
region. But throughout his entire career the one building which above all others 
made his name famous was the " Inebriate Asylum." That work stands a lasting 
monument to his genius as an architect. It was only through his acknowledged skill 
as an architect, and his unquestioned integrity as a citizen, that led to his appoint- 
ment to the responsible office of Capitol Commissioner by Governor Cleveland in 
April, 1883. The chief executive had no previous personal acquaintance with Mr. 
Perry, neither had the latter any political influence with the governor. The appoint- 
ment was both unexpected and unsought; yet it was a most worthy and fortunate 
appointment for the State, for it resulted in the practical completion of the capitol 
building without the waste of a single dollar of the public funds. 

In his official capacity Mr. Perry was authorized to employ labor, purchase mate- 
rial and make contracts, and millions of dollars were annually disbursed on his order. 
His .salary was large and the place was much sought when the opposite party hap- 
pened to be in power. Three times during his incumbency of the office Mr. Perry 
was searchingly investigated by Republican administrations for political purposes, 
but not so much as a dollarof public money was unaccounted for; and thus being unable 
to find any cause forhis dismissal from office, the opposition loaded all the State archi- 
tectural and construction work upon the commissioner, without providing any addi- 
tional compensation, with the evident intention to cause his retirement. This 
scheme also failed, but finally, in the spring of 1899, Mr. Perry was officially retired. 
He then returned to his home in this city where he now lives in the full enjoyment 
of the comforts of life with family and friends. On December 19, 1848, Mr. Perry 
married Lucretia, daughter of Humphrey Nelson and Asenath Sargeant (Woodbury) 
Gibson. Of this marriage three children were born, all of whom died in infancy. 



Wheaton, Dr. Washington W., who was well known in professional and family 



918 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

circles in Binghamton for a period of almost forty years, was born in Jackson, Sus- 
quehanna county. Pa., in 1811, and was the son of Moses P. Wheaton, a prominent 
teacher for many years in Harford academy. The doctor acquired his early educa- 
tion in the Susquehanna county schools, and also was under the private instruction 
of a retired invalid college professor. He afterward read medicine with Dr. Streeter, 
of Harford, and attended lectures at the Central Medical college of Rochester, where 
he was graduated June 5, 1850. Previous to his graduation, however, the young 
doctor began practice in Warren, Bradford county, Pa., and lived in that locality 
about eight years, practicing in five counties and thirty towns. In 1852 he came to 
live in Binghamton, and was thereafter one of our most popular and successful phy- 
sicians until the time of his death, October 13, 1888. Aside from his practice, which 
was always large and remunerative, the doctor took an earnest interest in all agri- 
cultural pursuits, particularly in stock growing. He owned one of the largest and 
finest herds of Jersey cattle in this part of the State, and bred many premium cattle. 
He possessed six good farms at one time and at the time of his death he left twenty 
pieces of real estate. He was one of the most generous and liberal hearted of men, 
having an especial love for children, although none were born of his marriage. 
During the married life of the doctor and his wife more than forty children were 
given a home in their household, and remained with them from one to twenty years. 
On January 6, 1850, Dr. Wheaton married Elizabeth B., daughter of William Bowen, 
the latter one of the pioneers of Bradford county. Pa., and of honorable New Eng- 
land stock. 



Noosbickel, Nicholas, a well known figure in Binghamton, particularly on the 
"■ North Side " where he was also a pioneer, was born in Volksheim, Hesse-Darm- 
stadt, Germany. He was the third son of Frantz and Mary Noosbickel. He had 
two brothers, George and William; also a step-sister, Catharine, and two step- 
brothers, Jacob and John, all deceased but John of Philadelphia, and George of 
Corry, Pa. 

Until about twenty years of age he lived at home, assisting his father who was a 
farmer and vineyardist. In 1848 he came to America with his older brother, Jacob. 
A short time was spent in Delhi, where he was employed on a farm. It was there 
he had his first experience in learning to speak English and many were the jokes he 
was fond of relating. After his father's death his mother disposed of her German 
home and moved to America. 

After their arrival Mr. Noosbickel and his brother purchased a farm near Maine, 
Broome county. To this place he took his mother and her family. He was always 
very devoted to his mother, who was an invalid. Mr. Noosbickel in 1853 moved to 
Binghamton and found employment with the late William R. Osborn. During this 
business connection his mother, and ten months later his favorite sister, died. His 
youngest brother, William, whom he had influenced to learn the barber's trade, re- 
moved to New Yord, where he died in 1893. 

About 1858 he went into the service of the Erie Railroad Company, first in the 
freight depot, then in the passenger department as baggage master. It was while 
thus employed that opportunities were given him to show his sympathy for the un- 
fortunate immigrants who frequently landed at this station without money, friends, 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 919 

or sometimes even an idea of where they wished to go. These unfortunates he 
gladly befriended as interpreter and often took them to his home where they were 
always made comfortable. When roads were blockaded by storm, he and his faith- 
ful wife have at different times cared for as many as four in their little home. It 
was not an infrequent occurrence to have one for months until suitable employ- 
ment could be found for him or her. The position of baggagemaster he held eight 
years, when an accident unfitted him for work in that capacity; but the company 
appreciated the faithfulness of their old employee and provided him with a position 
as guard at the Chenango street crossing. Here he was enabled to be helpful espe- 
cially to the feeble and timid. Rewards were often offered him by some grateful 
pedestrian whom he had rescued from a horrible death, at the lisk of his own life, 
but were never accepted, he considering he did nothing but his duty. Mr. Noos- 
bickel was in the employ of the Erie Company until his death, serving them faith- 
fully nearly forty years. He passed away March 16, 1897, respected by all. 

In 1861 he became a member of Calumet Lodge No. 62, I. O. O. F. The following 
year, October 10, he married A. Elizabeth Bentzien, the youngest daughter of Peter 
and Catherine Bentzien, natives of Altona, Germany. Miss Bentzien lost her 
parents while quite young, and came to America, in 1856, with an older sister to 
join their brother, who had preceded them several years. To this union three chil- 
dren have been born: George Frederick, who died in infancy; Elizabeth B., a grad- 
uate of the Oswego State Normal School, for two years a teacher in Farmingdale, 
Long Island, and now a teacher in our city schools; and Johanna Dorathea, who 
died aged ten years. 

Mr. Noosbickel, always a kind and indulgent husband and father, was a man of 
quiet habits, a good hearted, upright citizen and a worthy Christian. His character 
was above reproach and those who knew him best never questioned his integrity. 
He was a sincere member of the Lutheran church and often regretted that he was 
deprived in his later days from attending services as he wished. 



Powell, Edward E., of the firm of Ford, Beach & Powell, sole agents in Bingham- 
ton for the celebrated Delaware and Hudson coal and one of the leading business 
houses in this city, was born September 10, 1870, in Wales, while his parents were 
on a visit to their native country. When about one year old his parents returned to 
this country and took up their residence in, or near, Hazelton, Luzerne county, Pa. 
His early days were spent in that place and Shenandoah, Schuylkill county. Pa., 
where his father was a large and prominent coal operator. Mr. Powell's early edu- 
cation was procured in this place, going through the local high school at an early 
age. When about nineteen years of age his parents moved to Philadelphia, where 
they now reside. While in Philadelphia Mr. Powell was a traveling representative 
for a large Philadelphia house and in August, 1894, he was married to Helen J. Ford, 
youngest daughter of Hon. R. A. Ford of this city. He immediately entered into 
partnership with his father-in-law in the wholesale and retail coal business, which 
was established by Mr. Ford in 1870 and is now the largest business of its kind in 
the southern tier. Mr. Powell has besides his wife a family of two children: Beatrice 
Whitney and Helen Ford Powell. 

Mr. Powell is very popular, not only in business, but in social and political circles 



920 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

and as a Republican he is recognized as one of the most loyal and hard working 
"young Republicans" in Broome county. Since taking up his residence in our city 
he has served with great credit to himself and profit to the city one term as a mem- 
ber of the board of health and two years and a half on the street board, having been 
appointed to both positions by the Hon. George E Green while mayor. He has 
represented the Fourth ward for the past two years as a member of the Republican 
County Committee. He was one of the originators of the Binghamton Athletic As- 
sociation and worked hard to create a desire for athletic training among the young 
men of the city. As a young man, he was considered one of the best all-around 
athletes in his class and even to-day takes great interest in all such sports. He is 
a member of the Binghamton Club; the Broome County Country Club and is also a 
member of Otseningo Lodge No. 435, F. & A. M., and of Calumet Lodge No. 62, 
I. O. O. F. He is a member and regular attendant at Christ Episcopal church. 



O'Neill, James, contractor and builder, was born in Binghamton, June 6, 1853, the 
son of the late John O'Neill, the latter being well remembered as a shoemaker in the 
village and subsequent city. James was educated at St. James' Parochial school, 
after which, beginning when he was twelve years old, he worked three years in the 
Anderson & Gregg shoe factory. He then served two years' apprenticeship at the 
carpenter's trade, under D. J. Donnelley, and then worked as ' jour" three or four 
years. Still later he was foreman for D. J. Sullivan until the death of the latter, and 
afterward was foreman for Sullivan & Clark from 1880 to 1890. He then began 
work as contracting builder and during subsequent years he has erected many sub- 
stantial structures in the city, prominent among which may be mentioned the com- 
pletion of the Republican building, McTighe & Truesdell's wholesale grocery build- 
ing, the recently completed Boston Store building, the George F. O'Neil seven story 
Court street building, and others. He also was the builder of the splendid residences 
of Edmund O'Connor, C. F. McCormick, Dr. Hutchinson, George L. Harding, and 
as well scores of others in various parts of the city ; all of which are substantial 
evidences of his enterprise and business capacity. Mr. O'Neill takes little active in- 
terest in city politics, yet he is thoroughly loyal to Binghamton and all that pertains 
to its welfare. He is a member, and the present presiding officer of that popular 
fraternal organization known as the Knights of Columbus. On September 15, 1880, 
James O'Neill married Martha L. , daughter of William Tucker. Seven children 
were born of this marriage, six of whom are now living. 



Beman, Elbert A., senior partner in the present firm of Beman & Co., and former- 
ly partner in the still older firm of Beman & Bayless, began business in this city in 
1868 as a manufacturer of cheese boxes, tubs and firkins, his partner at that time be- 
ing the late Julius S. Corbett. The latter went out of the firm after about a year and Mr. 
Beman continued the business alone until 1871, when John Bayless acquired an interest, 
thus establishing the firm of Beman & Bayless, which was known in trade circles 
until 1897. Clifford W. Beman then became partner with his father under the firm 
name of Beman & Co., as above mentioned. The firm employ about eight}' men. 
While Elbert A. Beman is now one of our city's oldest manufacturers, he is also a 
native of the county, having been born in Colesville in 1834. He is the son of the 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 921 

late Aaron G. Beman, and grandson of Reuben Beman, the latter a settler in that 
town in 1820. Previous to locating permanently in this city E A. Beman was a 
farmer in the town of Conklin, and also to a limited e.xtent manufactured tubs and 
firkins. He also spent about two years in the Pennsylvania oil fields. While always 
actively engaged in his business interests in the city, Mr. Beman has devoted a fair 
portion of his time to municipal affairs for the public welfare. In 1881 and 1882 he 
represented the Second ward in the Common Council, and was also for several years 
a member of the board of street commissioners, as the municipal civil list will show. 
In 1861 Mr. Beman married Emily Watrous, of Greene. Of this marriage five chil- 
dren were born. 



Hanrahan, Edward M., was born in this city, September 21, 1866, and is the eldest 
of five sons born to Michael and Hannah (Gorman) Hanrahan. Michael Hanrahan 
is, also, a native of Binghamton, and is widely known and highly respected through- 
out the city. Edward was educated in the public schools and also in Lowell's Busi- 
ness College. In 1886, in partnership with his brother, James L., Mr. Hanrahan 
started in the grocery business at No. 227 Court street. The stock was sold in 1890, 
and, in the same year, the firm of Hanrahan Brothers succeeded to the wholesale 
liquor business carried on by J. H. Rourke, on Washington street. James L. Han- 
rahan died in April, 1898, upon which Edward became sole proprietor. He is count- 
ed among our city's most active young business men. On September 10, 1890, Ed- 
ward M. Hanrahan married Julia, one of the five daughters of the late Patrick Stack, 
who was formerly one of the prominent business men of Binghamton; being a mem- 
ber of the firm of Stack & Allen, grocers. Two children — a son, Edward M., and a 
daughter, Marion Louise — have been born of this marriage. 



Sisson, Edward Carlton, youngest sou of the late Benjamin F. Sisson, was born 
in this city, March 11, 1870. He was educated in the city schools and is a graduate 
of St. John's Military School, Manlius, N. Y. He then entered the Sheffield Scien- 
tific School of Yale University with the class of '91. He is a member of the college 
fraternity Phi Gamma Dalta. He then went abroad and devoted about two years 
to travel. Returning home, he was for several years connected with the dry goods 
house of Sisson Bros. & Welden, but in 1895 took his present position in the manage- 
ment of Jones of Binghamton, scale manufacturers. Mr. Sisson is one of Bingham- 
ton's active and competent young men and enjoys the confidence of all his business 
acquaintances. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of the Sons of the 
American Revolution, the Binghamton Club, and one of the vestrymen of Christ 
church. On August 22, 1895, Mr. Sisson married Edith, daughter of Gen. Edward 
F. Jones. Mr. and Mrs. Sisson have two sons. 



Ackerman, Cornelius A., first came to Binghamton about 1856 to attend school and 
also to look after certain real estate of which his father, Capt. John G. Ackerman, was 
the owner. After a short time young Ackerman returned to his home in Allendale, 
but soon came back here and took up the work of bricklaying on the large building 
that Colonel Wells erected for J. B. Lewis on Washington street. After a year Mr. 
Ackerman went to New York and entered the office of Rembrandt Lockwood, archi- 



922 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

tect of that city. Later on during the Civil war he was in the employ of the govern- 
ment in various capacities, after which he went into the Pennsylvania oil fields. 
Still later he was an architect and builder at Goshen, N. Y.. but after a short resi- 
dence in that place he returned again to this city and engaged in business as con- 
tractor and builder, both in State and railroad. 

In 1880 he formed a partnership with John Evans, the firm being Evans & Acker- 
man. This firm secured the contract for converting the New York State Inebriate Asy- 
lum into an asylum for chronic insane, and afterward, until Mr. Evans' death, engaged 
in extensive construction enterprises, both on public buildings and in railroad work. 
However, from the time Mr. Ackerman came permanently to our city in 1879 he has 
been prominently identified with local interests. He erected and now owns the 
Ackerman building on the corner of State and Henry streets. He also has been 
identified with the Lestershire Water Works, as its executive officer, with Floral 
Park Cemetery As.sociation, as one of its original and present trustees, and with the 
Strong State Bank, as an original and present director. In politics Mr. Ackerman is 
a firm Democrat, but never has yielded to the persuasion of party leaders and be- 
come a candidate for public office, although frequently urged to do so. 

Mr. Ackerman was born in Allendale, N. J., in September, 1840, and is descended 
from Holland ancestry. His father. Captain Ackerman, bought property soon after 
the Erie railroad was built in the village of Binghamton and in connection with this 
property his son first came here as above mentioned. 

On August 18, 1870, Cornelius H. Ackerman married Lizzie McKinstry, of Morris 
county, N. J. One son, Robert McKinstry Ackerman, was born of this marriage. 



Barrett, Stanford W., dealer in musical instruments and music goods of all de- 
scriptions, is one of the oldest business men of our city, and also (we may say it with- 
out any hesitation whatever) is one of our most respected citizens. In 1860 and the 
early part of 1861 Mr. Barrett was teaching music in the public schools of Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, and in the summer of the latter year came east to visit with relatives and 
friends in Susquehanna county. Pa., where he was born and brought up. Incident- 
ally, he came to Binghamton about the time the free educational systehi was estab- 
lished, and naturally, he was asked to teach vocal and instrumental music in the 
public schools of the village. He accepted the offer made by the board of education 
and from that time to the present day has been a resident of Binghamton, village 
and city. In 1862 he opened a music store on lower Court street. The well known 
firm of Barrett Bros, was organized in 1872, and is still known in local business cir- 
cles although the junior partner, Volney B. Barrett, died in July, 1895. He was 
succeeded by Harry S. Barrett, son of the senior partner. 

Stanford W. Barrett was born in Jackson, Pa., April 27, 1838, and is the son of 
the late William Barrett, a New Englander by birth and an early settler in Susque- 
hanna county. In the spring of 1866 S. W. Barrett married AdeUa Hopkins, sister 
to the late Peter W. Hopkins. Two children, Harry S and Emma Barrett, were 
born of that marriage. Mr. Barrett's second wife was Frances A., daughter of Dr. 
Thomas W. Walsh, of Port Jervis. 



Bayless, Franklin J., .son of John Bayless, grandson of Gen. John Bayless and 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 923 

great-grandson of Samuel Bayless, the latter being the pioneer of the family in this 
county. His mother, who died in 1880, was Amanda Corbett, a granddaughter of 
Robert Corbett, who came from Connecticut and settled at Corbettsville in 1795. 
Mr. Bayless was born at Corbettsville, February 12, 1865. He was educated in 
the Binghamton city schools, after which, in 1881, he went to Eau Claire, Wis., where 
for two years he was teller and bookkeeper in the Chippewa Valley Bank. In 1883 
he returned to Binghamton and for the next three and one-half years was teller and 
bookkeeper in the Merchants National Bank. He then resigned the position and 
became partner with his brother, George C. Bayless, in the manufacture of pulp and 
paper in this city; and when, in 1893, the partnership became an incorporated com- 
pany he was elected its treasurer. This position he now holds, but in addition to his 
connection with the Bayless Pulp and Paper Company, Mr. Bayless is engaged in 
various other busmess enterprises, among which may be mentioned the manufacture 
of Wood Alcohol by the firm of Berkalew & Bayless (est. 1892), having works in Mc- 
Kean and Elk counties, Pennsylvania. This firm built a wood alcohol refinery in 
Buffalo, N. Y.. in 1893. the latter bemg known as F. J. Bayless & Company Incor- 
porated, of which Mr. Bayless is president and manager. He is a director of the 
American Charcoal Company of Bradford, Pa. ; president of the Central Commercial 
Company of Chicago, and also of the American Printing Ink Company, of Chicago ; 
vice-president of the People's Bank, of this city, and secretary of the Broome County 
Country Club. He is a trustee of the First Presbyterian Society and treasurer of 
that board. On June 6, 1894. Franklin J. Bayless married Cleone Eraser Wilson, 
daughter of George and Jane Eraser Wilson, of this city. 



Mason, William, resident, manager of the Standard Oil Company, but better known 
to our people, perhaps, by reason of his faithful services in the Common Council, 
both as alderman and president of the board, came to live in this city in 1886. In 
addition to his earnest interest in the political welfare of Binghamton. Mr. Mason 
has shown a commendable zeal in the affairs of the local branch of the C. T. H. A., 
whose object is so well understood by all our people. Indeed he was one of the 
chief promoters of the Home enterprise itself, and devoted much time to the laudable 
undertaking- and in connection with his services he was appointed to important po- 
sitions in the State and national branches of the association. He was appointed a 
member of the board of managers of Binghamton State Hospital by Governor Black, 
and on January 1, 1900. he was elected president of the board. Mr. Mason was 
born in Boston, Mass., April 14, 1847, the son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Parker) Ma- 
son both formerly of Boston but more recently of this city. William began his busi- 
ness career as commercial traveler, selling oils in New England. New York and 
Pennsylvania. Having been elected general manager of the Standard Oil Company. 
Binghamton department, Mr. Mason was first located in Scranton, from which city, 
in 1886, he came to Binghamton. Mr. Mason's wife, whom he married April 1 . . 18,2. 
was Annie M. Bigelow, of Quincy. Mass. Lawrence B. and Bertram A. Mason are 
children of this marriage. 

Ring John F., foreman of the moulding department in the works of the Osgood 
Scale Company, is a native of Binghamton. born November 24. 1854. and is the son 



924 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

of the late James and Catharine (Welch) Ring. He was educated in St. James' Paro- 
chial School, after which he learned the moulders' trade with the firm of Jones & 
Osgood, the founders of the scale manufacturing industry in this city. Mr. Ring 
was employed by Jones & Osgood from 1863 to 1872, after which he spent one year 
in Elmira. Returning to Binghamton he was in the employ of Shapley & Wells from 
1874 to 1889, and during at least six years of that period he was foreman of the 
foundry department. In 1889 Mr. Ring became foreman of the foundry department 
of the Osgood Scale Works, which position he still holds. Politically Mr, Ring is a 
strong Democrat. In 1898-99 he represented the First ward in the Common Council, 
He is a member of Osseo Tribe, I. O. R. M., the Knights of Columbus, Ancient Or- 
der of Hibernians, and also of the Iron Moulders' Union. In 1877 Mr. Ring mar- 
ried Katie, daughter of John Collins. 



Hecox, William H., general fire insurance agent doing business at No. 45 Court 
street, has been identified with Binghamton history since 1878. He is a native of 
Buffalo, born February 9, 1861, and is the son of the late William H. Hecox, a pio- 
neer practicing lawyer of this city, and of whom mention is made in the Bench and 
Bar chapter of this work. Mr. Hecox's family came to Binghamton in 1870, and 
William, the son, was educated in our city schools. In 1878 he left the B. C. H. S. 
and was employed as clerk in the hardware store of Carter, Abbott & Johnson. On 
April 1, 1879, he became clerk in the First National Bank, which position he held 
nine years, and then engaged in the fire insurance business. On April 1, 1890, the 
firm of Boss, Stoppard & Hecox, general insurance agents, was formed, and was 
continued until May 1, 1899. Mr. Hecox then purchased Mr. Stoppard's interest in 
the business, upon which the former partnership was dissolved and he opened an 
office at No. 45 Court street. Mr. Hecox is one of Binghamton's active business men 
and loyal citizens. He is a charter member and present secretary of the Dobson 
club. 



Lacey, Joseph W., proprietor of the extensive cigar box factory on upper Water 
street, came to this city in 1877. He then was a carpenter by trade, but soon after 
coming here he engaged in the manufacture of cigar boxes, beginning in a small way 
at first and gradually increasing the capacity of the works as the demands of trade 
required. The first partnership in which Mr. Lacey was a member was that of Lacey 
& Wilkinson whose place of business was on Commercial avenue about two years. 
At the end of that time Mr. Lacey sold out to his partner, and after being out of 
business about a year he established a new and larger plant at the foot of State street, 
where he remained about five years. He again sold out in 1892, and was practically 
out of business until March, 1895, when he started a new factor}^ in Lee's building 
on Water street. He removed thence to his present location in October, 1899. 

Here he employs an average (under normal conditions of trade) of about fifty work- 
men, and in addition to being an extensive employer of labor, Mr. Lacey is one of 
the largest cigar box manufacturers in southern New York. Moreover, by careful 
attention to all the details, the business has been a gratifying success. In 1899 his 
factory produced more than 600,000 cigar boxes for the city trade alone. Mr. Lacey 
was born in Bradford county, Penna., September 22, 1848, but when abcmt eight 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 925 

years old he removed with his parents to Auburn township, Susquehanna county, 
where his young life was chiefly spent. He was educated in the .select schools at 
Laceyville and Camptown. He first engaged in business as lumberman in the win- 
ter and farmer in the summer, and afterward took up carpenter work as mentioned 
above. He came to Binghamton in 1877, and has since been an active factor in city 
industrial history. 

On October 26, 1882. Joseph W. Lacey married Emma Flummerfelt, of Rush town- 
ship, Susquehanna county, Penna. Mr. and Mrs. Lacey have one daughter, Eva 
Lacey. 



Leonard, Miles, contractor, builder of the Broome county court house, which 
structure will long stand as a monument to his capacity and faithfulness, has been a 
resident of our city since 1871. He is a native of Nichols, Tioga county, and was 
born December 19, 1849. He was the son of Peter Leonard, who was for years a 
familiar figure on our public streets and who had a host of friends. After Miles left 
school he worked on the Chenango canal extension, and afterward on the Southern 
Central railroad, having charge of a gang of men on construction work. In Septem- 
ber, 1871, he came to Binghamton and learned the carpenter's trade, and worked as 
a "jour" about two and one-half years. Then, in a small way at first, he began 
erecting buildings on contract, and did much work for Martin Stone. Later on he 
was foreman for Sullivan & Clark, master builders, and did a vast amount of work 
outside of the city. 

Returning, however, to Binghamton, Mr. Leonard soon took up a prominent posi- 
tion among our leading contractors. He built the Court Street and East End rail- 
road and was its first superintendent after it was opened for traffic. He built the 
works of the Binghamton Wagon Company, the Stone Opera House, the power 
house of the B. R. R. Co., the First Baptist church edifice, the Masonic Temple 
building the new court house, and is now engaged in the largest contract undertak- 
ing in his whole career, the construction of the buildings for an iLsane asylum on 
Long Island, costing nearly $1,000,000. Although Miles Leonard has lived m our 
city only since 1871, he has nevertheless been an important factor in local history, 
and has done much to build up, improve and enlarge our municipality. Mr. Leonard 
was superintendent of streets in 1886. 

Reynolds Audley W., has been a factor in city history for a period of tvventy-five 
years In 1875 he came to Binghamton from Montrose and began to work as jour- 
neyman carpenter, continuing about eight years. During that period he had charge 
of Ihe work of two contracting builders, preparing plans and drawings and mak n 
estimates for various structures. While thus employed Mr. Reynolds reasoned that f 
this work could be done for another, it could be done ^^-^%)'''\'?'^\'r'f^;^ 
Therefore m 1880 he became an architect and contractor, and it is evident that n 
this determination he made no mistake. In proof of this statement one need only 
o point to the Wilkinson building, the Westcott building, the Central Fire station 
the Odd Fellows temple, the Waldron block, the elegant residence of Robert H and 
the late Edward L. Rose, the Wales apartment house, and -^^^ ° -;^^^™;^^,^.^^ 
residence structures in the city, which are a better advertisement of Mr. Reynolds s 



926 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

business capacity than any written notice of the fact. Mr. Reynolds was born in Mont- 
rose in 1848, soon after which his father, Francis J Reynolds, removed with his family 
from Susquehanna county to Canada. He returned to Montrose after about twelve 
years. 



Landon, Samuel G., principal of the Binghamton Central High School, first be- 
came a factor in city history in 1897, when he was called to his present position by 
the board of education; and never at any time have the people of the city had occa- 
sion to criticise the action of the school commissioners in their selection of principal 
at that time. Mr. Landon is a native of Herrick, Pa., born February 12, 1865, the 
son of George and Catharine (Smith) Landon, In December, 1880, he entered Wy- 
oming Seminary, and was graduated in June, 1885, being valedictorian of the class. 
He entered Wesleyan University (Middletown, Conn.) in September, 1885, and was 
graduated with the degree of B. A., and member of Phi Beta Kappa, in June, 1889. 
During the years 1889-91, Prof. Landon was superintendent of schools in California, 
Mo., and in 1891-2, was professor of Latin and Greek, and also acting president of 
Puget Sound University, Tacoma, Washington. In 1892-94, he was superintendent 
of schools of Puyallup, Washington, and in 1894-97, was principal of the High School 
in Harrisburg, Pa. From the city last mentioned Prof. Landon came to the princi- 
palship of the B. H. S.. in August, 1897. 



Gibbs, Charles W. , came from Oak Hill, in Union, to Binghamton in 1882. He 
worked for a time as journeyman carpenter, then for several years as foreman, and 
in 1890 became a master workman and contractor. His specialty is interior finishing 
and hard wood work, in which respect he controls many of the best city contracts. 
He has a good shop, with power and machinery on Ferry street. Mr. Gibbs is a 
native of Union, born July 9, 1855, the son of O. M. Gibbs, and the grandson of 
Barnabas Gibbs, the latter being a pioneer on Oak Hill. The family came originally 
from Connecticut. On October 21, 1889, Charles W. Gibbs married Georgia Little, 
of Kalamazoo, Mich. They have one daughter. Mr. Gibbs is a member of Wam- 
sutta tribe, I. O. R. M., and has taken the Haymaker degree. 



Dedrick, Harry E. , proprietor of the extensive house furnishing establishment 
which occupies the entire ground floor and basement and also a portion of the second 
floor of the Windsor hotel building on Washington street, has been a business man 
of this city since 1891. In that year Mr. Dedrick came to Binghamton and became 
partner in the firm of Carver & Dedrick, but at the end of two years he became sole 
proprietor. Two years later, in 1895, he removed to his present quarters and put in 
a stock of goods that occasioned some surprise among neighboring men and caused 
the wiseacres to shake their heads in doubt; but the business, which is conducted 
almost wholly on the installment plan, has steadily increased with each succeeding 
year, and is now one of the best concerns in the city. The proprietor is a young, 
capable and straightforward business man, ever watchful of his own interests and 
perfectly fair in his dealings with customers. Best of all, he is a native of the county, 
and is descended from one of the substantial old families of Union, his grandfather, 
Garrett Dedrick, having come from Coventry about 1830 and settled near the "Ash- 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 927 

ery," or Stella, as now knowu. The old homestead farm is now owned in the fam- 
ily. His mother was Mariette Hulbert, daughter of Henry Hulbert, an early settler 
in the county. 

Harry E. Dedrick was born April 28. 1863, and is the son of Moses Dedrick, a 
farmer of Union for many years, and twelve years proprietor of a hotel at Slaterville 
Springs. In this hotel business our subject was partner with his father. Harry E. 
Dedrick's wife, whom he married April 1, 1891, is Lilla, daughter of Charles Whit- 
temore and also a descendant of one of Broome county's old families. 



Blewer, Claron M., senior partner in the firm of Blewer & Whiting, dealers in coal 
and wood and also proprietors of the Riverside mills, came from Slaterville to this 
city in 1889. He was born in Tioga county and was educated chiefly in the Owego 
Academy. He afterward taught school for a period of about fifteen years, and left 
that pursuit when he came to Binghamton. The Riverside mills were started by 
Jennings, Bisbee & Whiting in 1888, but in the next year the firm changed to 
Bisbee, Blewer & Whiting. The present firm of Blewer & Whiting became sole 
proprietors in 1891. The mills produce an excellent quality of buckwheat flour, meal 
and feed. Mr. Blewer was a member of the Binghamton Common Council during 
the years 1898 and 1899 and at present is a member of the health board. In Speeds- 
ville, N. Y., in 1878, Mr. Blewer married Persa J., daughter of Samuel Whiting, of 
that place. 



Eitapenc, Fred, of the firm of Gaylord & Eitapenc, began his business career in 
this city in 1888. He was born in Utica, November 12, 1849, and at the age of thir- 
teen years beganlearning the tinsmith's trade. At sixteen he began work as "jour," 
and was employed in the villages of Oneida, Franklin, Sidney and Cooperstown. 
In January, 1877, he established a tin and hardware business at Davenport, Dela- 
ware county, N. Y., and continued it until 1887. He then lived for a time in this 
city, but was not in active business. He went to Oneonta and became partner in 
the general hardware firm of Stevens & Eitapenc, but in 1888 sold out and returned 
to Binghamton. For about a year he was partner in the wholesale provision firm of 
Taylor, Shaw & Co., but in 1889 became partner in the steam heating and ventilat- 
ing firm of Gaylord & Eitapenc. The large brick and stone building at the corner of 
Lewis and State streets was erected in 1899 by this firm. In city business circles 
Mr. Eitapenc is known as an enterprising and substantial man and a loyal citizen. 
At Sidney Centre, on August 15, 1872, Mr. Eitapenc married Sarah Finch, daughter 
of Joseph Finch, by whom he has one daughter, Margaret Eitapenc. 



Ogden, J. Sherman, was born in Binghamton in 1839 and died June 7, 1897. From 
1872 to the time of his death he was actively engaged in business in the manufacture 
of cigars, for many years being a member of the firm of George A. Kent & Co., and 
afterward a member of the firm of Wm. H. Ogden & Co. Although a native of this city 
Mr. Ogden was for eight years engaged in business in Syracuse and for one year in 
Milwaukee, Wis., before he was connected with the house of George A. Kent & Co. 
Mr. Ogden was one of five children of William Ogden, the latter being for many 
years an active factor in Binghamton village and city history and one of its most re- 



928 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

spected men. He now lives with his daughter (Mrs. M. E. Anderson) in Buffalo. 
J. Sherman Ogden's wife was Beulah Carter, who survives him Their children 
were Helen S. (now Mrs. W. S. Liddell, of Charlotte. N. C): William H. Ogden, 
cigar manufacturer of this city, and Robert M. Ogden, also of Binghamton. 



Rogers, Julius E., president of the board of education, is a native of Stockbridge, 
Vt., and was born October 25, 1850. He was the son of Elisha Rogers, a farmer, 
who left Vermont about 1853 and settled in Schoharie county, N.Y. Julius was edu- 
cated in the schools of Schoharie and Delaware counties and also in Cornell Univer- 
sity, but taught school two years previous to his course in Cornell. He then went to 
New York city, and was engaged in the milk, butter and general commission busi- 
ness about eight years, after which he returned to Delaware county. 

In 1879 he came to live in this city, having previously visited several other cities 
in the State with a view to selecting the most desirable place of residence. Mr. 
Rogers' first business venture in Binghamton was in a general grocery store, as part- 
ner with his brother under the firm name of J. B. & J. E. Rogers. Still later he was 
senior partner in the firm of Rogers & McMurdy, and after this copartnership was 
dissolved Mr. Rogers carried on a general shipping and produce business. In the 
meantime he had purchased a farm in Conklin, and gradually turned to agricultural 
pursuits, in which he has always taken great interest. He has been a member of 
the State Agricultural Society more than twenty years. 

In 1891 he was one of the founders of the Binghamton Dairy Association, of which 
he has ever since been secretary and treasurer, and in fact its managing oflficer. He 
was also prominently identified with the organization of the Binghamton Beet Sugar 
Company, which industry, like the Dairy Association, has proved a source of much 
benefit to the farmers of the region. In Binghamton and Broome county Mr. Rog- 
ers is known as a patriotic, public spirited citizen, taking an active interest in all 
that pertains to the welfare of the city. Since 1891 he has been a member of the 
board of education, and president of the board since 1894. He was an active factor 
in founding the original City Hospital; was connected with it throughout the period 
of its existence, either as trustee or officer, and was one of the first board of manag- 
ers of the institution under municipal control. On January 9, 1876, Mr. Rogers mar- 
ried Nellie, daughter of Morris Baldwin of Stanford, Delaware county; of this mar- 
riage five children were born. 



Bundy, Willard L., superintendent of the Bundy Manufacturing Company, has 
been a resident of this city hardly more than ten years, yet through his instrumen- 
tality Binghamton is possessed of one of its best and most promising industries, and 
one which in many respects has no equal in the United States. Mr. Bundy is a na- 
tive of Otego, Otsego county, born December 8, 1845, the son of Douglass Bundy, 
who removed from Otego in 1847 and settled in Auburn, in which city Willard was 
educated and began his business career. At the age of fifteen years he left school 
and began to learn the jeweler's trade ; but instead of learning the single trade of a 
jeweler, he in fact learned four trades and became a jeweler, engraver, gold plater 
and silver plater. At the age of twenty-two Mr. Bundy began manufacturing jew- 
elry and at the same time turned his attention to mechanical arts, inventing and 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 929 

patenting several devices of importance before he was twenty-five years old. In the 
aggregate Mr. Bundy probably has secured from forty to fifty patents, but among 
all of them those which protect the several parts of the famous "Bundy Time Re- 
corder" are by far the most valuable and important. 

Mr. Bundy began his work on this device about 1887 and in the course of the next 
two years had it perfected, patented and ready for manufacture. In 1889 he visited 
this city, and exhibited his patented "Time Recorder" to a numl^er of our enter- 
prising citizens; and almost before he bad quite decided to locate here, Mr. Bundy 
was informed that our capitalists were willing to invest all necessary means to es- 
tablish a plant and begin the work of manufacture. Operations were begun in a 
little building on Commercial avenue, but the company was soon compelled to remove 
to larger quarters on Water street. Here, too, the building was soon outgrown, but 
was enlarged and now is the tallest factory building in the city. Yet even these 
quarters are cramped and soon must again be enlarged to meet the requirements of 
the company. 

The " Bundy" was the first automatic time recorder invented and placed on the 
market, the manufacturers being compelled to educate the commercial public up to 
the use of what is now considered invaluable in all large establishments. In a patent 
suit recently decided, the Bundy Mfg. Co. were granted the exclu.sive right to man- 
ufacture a key time recorder. A combination of time recorder manufacturers has 
just been formed, and the works of the other concerns will be moved to Binghamton, 
thus making it necessary to double the present capacity of the Bundy works 

Mr. Bundy, as superintendent of the works, devotes himself exclusively to that 
department and exercises constant supervision over 135 skilled employees. He 
takes only a passive interest in city politics, but in Auburn he served two years as 
alderman. He also was for eight years superintendent of the Auburn fire alarm 
system. On March 22, 1871, Willard L. Bundy married Etta D. Sweet, of Auburn. 
Of this marriage two sons have been born, both of whom are employees of the Bundy 
Manufacturing Company, one as bookkeeper and the other as assistant superinten- 
dent. 



Baird, Simon Melvin, surveyor and civil engineer, having a business office in the 
city and residing in Port Dickinson, is a native of Onondaga county, born Septem- 
ber 7, 1852, and the son of the late Benjamin Baird, a farmer of Fenton for many 
years. Benjamin Baird removed from Onondaga county to Cortland county about 
1856, and was a farmer in Marathon and McGrawville for a period of thirteen years 
previous to his removal to Fenton in 1869. Melvin, his son (he is commonly known 
by this name), was educated in the Marathon Academy and also in McGrawville 
Academy, in the latter institution making a special study of civil engineering. He 
lived at home until he attained his majority and for two years he carried on his 
father's farm in Fenton. He then went to Port Crane and for more than ten years was 
station agent and telegraph operator in the service of the Albany and Susquehanna 
R. R. Co. In 1885 he came to Port Dickinson to live and has since been a surveyor 
and civil engineer, having a principal office in Binghamton, where he is well known 
and much respected for his straightforward and correct business methods. Although 
comparatively a quiet figure in local politics, Mr. Baird at one time was village trus- 
59 



930 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

tee in Port Dickinson, and is known as a sterling Republican. Mr. Baird's wife is 
Hattie L., daughter of Linas White, of Fenton. They have no children. 



Moflfatt, George M., of the contracting and building firm of Moffatt Bros., came to 
this city from New Milford, Pa., in 1887, and was one of the Susquehanna county 
contingent of business men who, during the last twenty years have added so greatly 
to Binghamton's population and prosperity For about two years Mr. Moffalt worked 
at his trade as a carpenter, when, in 1809, his brother, Crosby J. Moffatt, also came 
to the city, upon which the partnership of Moffatt Bros, was formed. The firm has 
since been in successful operation, and several substantial business buildings and 
scores of residences attest the capacity of its members. Moffatt Bros, also are ex- 
tensive builders on their own land in the northern part of the city, and by constant 
development have proven factors for much good. Both are earnest Republicans and 
have been called upon to serve the party in municipal ofhce, Crosby J. Moffatt hav- 
ing been supervisor, and George M. Moffatt alderman in 1896-7, being president of 
the board in the latter year. In the council. Alderman Moffatt proved a valuable 
representative of the city's best interests, and as president of the board his record 
was one of perfect fairness and straightforward honesty. 

Mr. Moffat was born in Susquehanna county, Penna., October 12, 1859. His father, 
Mortimer Moffatt, was a native of Ulster county, N. Y., and an early settler in Sus- 
quehanna county, where he was for many years a successful and much respected 
farmer. He served two years and nine mouths during the war of 1861-65, and was 
a member of the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Mr. Moffatt died in August, 1887. 
His wife, who survives him, was Sarah Ann Eckert, also a native of Ulster county. 
Their children were Anna, wife of Henry Sherman, of Franklin, Pa. ; Crosby J., of 
the firm of Moffatt Bros, of this city; George M., of the firm of Moffatt Bros. ; Jona- 
than F., who lives on the old home farm in Susquehanna county; and Charles, who 
died aged eleven years. George lived at home on the farm until he was of age, and 
then learned the carpenter's trade. He worked as journeyman in Susquehanna 
county until 1887, when he came to this city. He is a member of New Milford lodge. 
No. 507, F. & A. M., and of Ute tribe, I. O. R. M. On June 17, 1885, Mr. Moft^att 
married Serua M., daughter of Hiram Wise of New Milford. They have one 
daughter. 



Delavan, Erastus C , inspector of agencies for the Travelers Life Insurance Com- 
pany of Hartford, Conn., was born in Guilford, Chenango county, N. Y., September 
4, 1855. He was educated in Oxford Academy, and in 1870 began his career as clerk 
in the store of Clarke & Co., Oxford, N. Y., general merchants and forwarders, re- 
maining in their employment nine years and latterly having charge of the storage 
and forwarding branch of the business. Later on he lived three years in Norwich, 
working as clerk for Chapman & Co., general dry goods dealers. On January 1, 
1882, he came to Binghamton, and for the next three years was floor walker in the 
store of Sisson Bros. & Welden. He then became partner with T. P. Calkin in the 
firm of Calkin & Delavan, hatters, furriers and dealers in men's furnishing goods. 
In January, 1888, Mr. Delavan succeeded to the sole proprietorship, and continued 
the busmess until 1896, when he sold out and engaged in the service of the Travelers 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 93] 

Life Insurance Company, of Hartford, Conn., in the capacity of local agent. In 
July, 1898, he was made inspector of agencies of the company in this State, which 
position he still holds. 

Thus, for a period of nearly twenty years Mr. Delavan has been a factor in the 
business history of this city. Politically, he is a stalwart Republican, and while fre- 
quently he has been asked to accept municipal office, he as often has declined. The 
extent of his political holdmgs has been confined to a brief period of service as mem- 
ber of the city police commission. In Masonic circles he enjoys an enviable promi- 
nence, as may be seen by reference to the chapter on Free Masonry in another de- 
partment of this work. He was made a Master Mason in 1885 ; a Royal Arch Mason 
in 1886, and a Knight Templar in 1887. He was elected Eminent Commander of 
Malta Commandery in 1890; grand warder of the Grand Comraandery of the State 
of New York in 1894. He received the degrees of Royal and Select Master in Ithaca 
Council in April, 1892; received the thirty-second degree in Syracuse Consistory in 
April, 1890, and the thirty-third degree in Pittsburg, Pa., in 1896. He received the 
degree of A. A. O. N. M. S. in 1887. From December, 1896, to December. 1897, Mr. 
Delavan was master of Otseningo Lodge No. 485, F. & A. M., of this city. 

Mr. Delavan was one of the founders of Trinity church and has been one of its 
vestrymen throughout the period of its history. He is a member of the Binghamton 
and Craftsmen's Clubs, and also of the Society of Sons of the American Revolution. 

On October 9, 1895, Mr. Delavan married Emma M., daughter of the late Joel 
Fuller of this city. 



Sehenck, Theodore B., a native of Smithville, and a former resident of Greene. 
Chenango county, came to Binghamton in 1864, and from that time to January, 1899, 
was actively engaged in business as a master painter. On the date last mentioned 
he abandoned bis former avocation and began dealing in coal. During this long 
period of thirty-six years Mr. Sehenck has taken an active, earnest interest in the 
civil and political history of the city, and it is doubtful if any citizen of Binghamton 
has shown a more unselfish interest in the welfare of the city. As the municipal 
civil list shows, he was for about fifteen years a member of the board of health, and 
was several times its president. For eight years he was a member of the board of 
education, and for three years a member of the plumbing board. 



Miller, Charles Scott, president of the City Coal Company, is a native of New York 
city, born February 9, 1865, and is the son of the late Jacob M. Miller, a native of 
Germany, and who came to Binghamton with his family in 1867. Charles was edu- 
cated in our city schools, but left before his course was fully completed and found 
employment in the book store of Stephens & Perry. He afterward learned the tail- 
or's trade, serving three years under Louis Heineman, and still later worked about 
one year as journeyman tailor. From 1887 to 1894 Mr. Miller carried on a merchant 
tailoring business in the city, and during a portion of the same period he also was 
partner with Frank Snyder in a broom and brush manufacturing business. In 1894 
he disposed of his interests in the city and went to California, determined to locate 
permanently on the Pacific slope. However, in 1895, he returned to Binghamton 
and became senior partner in the firm of Miller, Snyder & Co., general coal dealers. 



932 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

In 1899 the partnership was resolved into the City Coal Company, with a capital 
stock of $50,000, and with Mr. Miller president and Mr. Snyder vice-president Although 
comparatively a young man it is seen that Mr. Miller has indeed been an active fac- 
tor in city history ; and while his time has been much occupied with affairs of busi- 
ness he occasionally has yielded to the persuasions of his party — the Democratic — and 
become its candidate for office. He was nommated for the city assessorship and 
afterward for the office of county treasurer. Of course he was defeated at the polls 
in a locality so strongly Republican as this city and Broome county, yet his "run" 
certainly was gratifying both to Mr. Miller and his party. 



Mills, Myron H., the well known Front street florist and horticulturist, came to 
Binghamton from Cortland, having been a hardware merchant in the latter village 
from 1860 to 1870, and in company with the late D. C, McGraw established the Riv- 
erside gardens, on Upper Court street. In 1873 the partnershij^ was dissolved, upon 
which Mr. Mills came to his present location on Front street, where he is patronized 
by the best trade in the city. Mr. Mills was born in Marcellus, Onondaga county, 
April 29, 1826. At the age of fifteen years he went to Cortland and became a clerk 
for his brother-in-law, H. P. Goodrich. In 1849 he went to Norfolk, Conn., and for 
five years was manager of a mercantile business. From 1854 to 1860 he was proprie- 
tor of a store in Northville, Cayuga county, and from 1860 to 1870 he was a merchant 
in Cortland village. In 1850 Mr. Mills married Louisa M. Popple, of Weedsport, 
N. Y., who died leaving one daughter, Ada L. Mills, of this city. His second wife, 
whom he married in 1861, was Augusta D. Webb, of Washington. D. C. who died 
March 31, 1889. Two daughters were born of this marriage ; Christine (now Mrs. 
Tracy B. Fuller) and Jennie A. Mills. 



Barnes, Frederick E., senior partner in the cigar manufacturing firm of Barnes, 
Smith & Co , first became a factor in Binghamton history in 1889, when he came to 
the city and succeeded Colonel Dunn in the firm of Burhans & Dunn, general real 
estate and fire insurance agents. The partnership of Burhans & Barnes was con- 
tinued about five years, when Joseph M. Johnson replaced the senior partner, upon 
which the firm name changed to Barnes «& Johnson. About three years later Mr. 
Barnes retired from the real estate and insurance business and succeeded Mr. Clark 
in the firm of Clark, Smith & Co., cigar manufacturers doing business on Water 
street. The firm now employs between 300 and 400 workmen, the capacity of its 
plant having been doubled during the past year. The partners comprising the firm 
are young, energetic and reliable men, and their efforts in business life have been 
deservedly rewarded. Mr. Barnes is a member of all the Masonic bodies of the city, 
including Kalurah Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He has taken the thirty-second de- 
gree in Free Masonry. He is also a member of the Dobson Club and of the Broome 
County Country Club. Mr. Barnes is a native of Moravia, Cayuga county, born 
June 10, 1867, and is the son of Lieut. Benjamin F. Barnes. He was educated in 
Moravia Academy and the Peekskill Academy, graduating at the latter institution 
in 1887. On June 27, 1894, he married Mary Innes, youngest daughter of Dr. John 
G. OrtoQ, of this city. One son, Orton Spaulding Barnes, has been born of this 
marriage. 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 933 

Williams, Wellington W.. the genial city passenger and ticket agent of the Erie 
Railroad company, has b3en a resident of Binghamton since 1873, having come to 
this city from Susquehanna, situated in the adjoining Pennsylvania county. He is 
the son of Samuel and Sodemia (West) Williams, descendants of old New England 
stock, who emigrated from Connecticut and settled in the Keystone State. The 
founder in America of this branch of the Williams family was no less a personage 
than that famous exponent of religious liberty, Roger Williams. One of Wellington 
W. Williams' ancestors was in the Revolutionary war, his great-grandfather having 
fought at the battle of Bunker Hill. Both his parents are now dead and he is the only 
survivor of their three children. 

A portion of his young life was spent as clerk in the country store of John Smiley, 
Gibson, Pa., and also teaching winter terms of school. His early education was ob- 
tained in the public schools, New Milford academy and private boarding schools. 
At the outbreak of the Rebellion in 1861, his brother was in Company A, of the 56th 
Penn. Vol. Infantry, and Wellington, as a drummer boy, did good service in helping 
to raise the regiment. On account of his age, and being lame, the above regiment, 
and others, refused his repeated ofters to go to the front with them. Later on, how- 
ever, when on the staff of officers, he went to Washington, Alexandria and other 
points, returning home in the spring of 1865. 

Upon graduating from the Lowell and Warner's Commercial college, he spent two 
years in Gibson, Pa., as a clerk in the store of S. S. Ingalls. after which he became 
iunior partner in the firm of Williams, Pope & Co., Susquehanna, Pa. His interest 
in that firm was disposed of in 1869, and he purchased the fire insurance business 
previously conducted by Timothy Boyle. While engaged in this line of work he was 
adjuster for the Niagara and Home fire insurance companies, a position requiring a 
thoroughly reliable man of tact and good business judgment. He continued in the 
insurance business until 1871, when he connected himself with the Erie Railroad 
company's office at Susquehanna. This was in the palmy days when Gould and Fisk 
administered its affairs. Two years later he accepted a position with the dry goods 
house of B. F. Sisson & Sons, Binghamton, and in July, 1874, he engaged with Hine 
& Shales in the same line of trade. 

In the fall of the same year, the Erie again sought his services and he became em- 
nloved in the Binghamton office, then under the management of E. Van Tuyle, who 
was both freight and passenger agent. Mr. Williams has been with the Erie ever 
since In 1879 the present Erie passenger building was erected, and soon after the 
management of the freight and passenger business in this city was divided and Mr. 
wTams was appointed the passenger and ticket agent for Binghamton, being the 
fir t th^ Erie hid here. At his desk in his office agent Williams is ever to be ound 
during appointed business hours. He has been faithful to every duty and always 
alert to the interests of the road, and his twenty-six or more years of continuous ser- 
vice IS the best commentary on the value the officials of the road place upon his ser- 
vices Moreover, he is loyal to our city and its best interests, being quite extensively 
Ingaged in lumber and other manufacturing interests. He is a director of he Peo- 
X s Ban" and is stockholder, officer or director of several other business institutions 
fnthe city or county. Indeed, W. W. Williams is one of the strong contingent of 
SusqLT/nna country Pennsylvanians who, during the ^-t twenty-five years, have 
added so materially to the population and commercial importance of our citj. 



934 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

In July, 1868, Mr. Williams married Emily R. Baldwin, daughter of Jonathan 
Baldwin of Susquehanna. Winifred Alice Williams, whose rich contralto voice has 
won for her a high reputation in musical circles, is the only child of Mr. and Mrs. 
Williams. 



Osborn, William R., was born in Waterville, Oneida county, August 18, 1814, and 
died in Binghamton, December 21, 1893, at the close of a long, honorable and suc- 
cessful business career. He was the youngest son of Amos and Rosanna (Swetland) 
Osborn, his father being a pioneer farmer in Oneida county and one of its most in- 
fluential and wealthy citizens. On his father's side Mr. Osborn was sixth in descent 
from his English ancestor, Richard Osborn, one of the Free-planters of New Haven 
in 1639, and fourth in descent from David Osborn and Dorothy Bulkley of Fairfield. 
On his mother's side he was of the fourth generation in descent from John Hancock 
and Anna Webb of Springfield, Mass. William was given the advantage of a good 
education and proved to be an apt pupil even in his early childhood, and at the age 
of four years he was presented with a " reward of merit," attesting his good conduct 
and progress in the school room. 

Leaving home, Mr. Osborn completed his education in the Clinton Grammar 
School and the Hamilton Academy, after which, in 1830, he became a clerk in the 
store of his brother-in-law, Julius Candee, of Waterville, and still later was his busi- 
ness partner. Candee & Osborn, for such was the firm name, were general mer- 
chants in Waterville from 1835 to 1848, when, on account of the death of his father, 
Mr. Osborn retired from the firm and thereafter during his residence in Oneida 
county he engaged in agricultural pursuits with his brother Amos on the home- 
stead farm. 

Although born on a farm and the son of a farmer, agriculture was not congenial to 
the taste and business training of Mr. Osborn, hence, in 1853, at the suggestion of 
prominent citizens he removed to Binghamton to take a leading part in the organiza- 
tion and capitalization of the Bank of Binghamton, and soon afterward was com- 
fortably settled in our then village. He subscribed to $35,000 of the bank's $150,000 
of capital, and through his influence Waterville business men took an additional 
$70,000 worth of the stock. On the organization of the bank in July, 1852, Dr. Amnii 
Doubleday was elected president, Charles W. Sanford vice-president, William R. 
Osborn cashier; on July 1, 1865, the bank was reorganized as the City National 
Bank, the officers remaining as first mentioned until 1868, when Mr. Doubleday died, 
upon which Mr. Sanford was elected to the presidency. The latter, however, retired 
in January, 1878, and Mr. Osborn was chosen in his place. He retained the office 
until January, 1893, when feeling no longer able to perform all its duties he resigned 
and was succeeded by Harris G. Rodgers, whom he had brought to Binghamton in 
1854 and trained him in banking business. Indeed, for two years previous to his 
retirement from the bank Mr. Osborn had felt that his physical strength was declin- 
ing, therefore in full keeping with his characteristic methods he refused to accept the 
president's salary for that period. 

In the capacity of cjshier and also that of president, Mr. Osborn was the active 
managing officer of the Bank of Binghamton and of its successor, the City National 
Bank, for a period of forty years. He was chosen to the position of cashier on ac- . 





WILLIAM R. OSBORN. 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 935 

count of his conceded business qualifications and his special fitness for the place and 
his subsequent election to the presidency was only additional evidence of the regard 
in which he was held by the directors and stockholders. The City National Bank 
long has been known as one of the most substantial financial institutions of Southern 
New York, and throughout the entire period of its history it never passed a semi-an- 
nual dividend. Mr. Osborn uniformly trained his own clerks and his accurate knowl- 
edge of human nature enabled him to select as assistants young men who ultimately 
became numbered among the best financiers of the city. 

As a citizen of Binghamton outside of business circles, Mr. Osborn is remembered 
with affection by all our people. He was thoroughly loyal to all our institutions, 
particularly the schools, in the welfare of which he manifested a deep interest. Po- 
litically, he was a Republican and while he often was asked to accept municipal office 
he as frequently declined it. During his residence in the city he gained a reputation 
as an estimable citizen in all respects. He was of a retiring disposition naturally, 
though at ease in any circle and possessed the rare qualities that made a stranger 
feel as if he had long known him. Dignified in manner, possessed of sound common 
sense and excellent judgment, he quickly won friends and their confidence, to which 
it was his nature to remain steadfast. 

Mr. Osborn was a willing contributor to all worthy causes and for many years was 
a generous supportor of the Protestant Episcopal church. Indeed, he and his brother 
were the principal founders of Grace church in Waterville in 1840, and soon after his 
removal to Binghamton he was elected vestryman and still later warden of Christ 
church, serving many years in one capacity or the other. It was largely through his 
contributions and his efforts that the present Christ church edifice was erected. 

On May 24, 1838, William R. Osborn married Melinda M , second daughter of 
Noah and Elizabeth Birdsall Ely of New Berlin, Chenango county. Of this mar- 
riage three children were born: William Ely Osborn, who died in 1862, aged twenty- 
three years, and twin daughters, Grace (Mrs. Jaffray) and May Osborn, both of this 
city. Mrs. Melinda Ely Osborn died in Binghamton, December 3, 1899. 



Whitney, George, fourth in the order of birth among the children of Gen. Joshua 
Whitney (founder of Binghamton. and its pioneer), was born August 12, 1801, and 
spent his whole life in this locality. After his marriage he removed to the town of 
Chenango, where he was a farmer. He married Sophia Silk Evans, daughter of 
James Evans. Their children were Mary, who married Charles White; William 
Henry, now living in Mexico; Sophia, who married Dr. Thomas Webb; James 
Evans, of Bay City, Mich.; Jane Olive, who married Orby O. Keeler, late of the 
town of Chenango; George, a prominent member of the Broome county bar for many 
years; Thomas W., for many years a merchant in this city; Franklin, who died 
young, and Rhoda, of this city. 

Robinson, John Tracy, was born in Binghamton, May 4, 1831, and died March 6, 
1889. He was the eldest of three children of the late Erasmus D. and Mary P. Robin- 
son, his father being a son of Dr. Tracy Robinson and brother of Maj.-Gen. John C. Rob- 
inson. Erasmus D. Robinson's children were John T., Augustus, Mary B. M. (wife of 
Capt. Edward L.Lewis), and Charles H. Robinson, all of whom, except Mrs. Lewis, are 



936 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

now dead. John, or " Jack," as more familiarly known to his friends, was educated in 
the Binghamton village schools, after which he entered the service of the New York and 
Erie Railroad Company as conductor, " running " west of Hornellsville. After several 
years he resigned his position and returning to Binghamton continued in the com- 
pany's service, first as express and station agent, having an office for many years on 
South Depot street, where he carried on an extensive and profitable business. Mr. 
Robinson during his life was one of the most popular residents of Binghamton. He 
was thoroughly loyal to his city and took an earnest interest in all that pertained to 
its welfare. His wife, whom he married January 6, 1854, and who survives him, 
was I^ockie La Grange Mersereau, daughter of Major David Mersereau, the latter, 
one of Union's foremost men. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson had no children of their own, 
but Miss Louise Gray, daughter of Arthur and Stella Williams Gray, was adopted 
by them. 



Hait, Charles E., chairman of the Broome County Democratic Committee, and one 
of the most popular leaders of his party in the city, has been a factor in Binghamton 
history since 1881, when he became proprietor of the brewery establishment at the 
corner of Wall and Dwight streets. Mr. Hait continued the business about two 
years and then, owing to the limited accommodations of the building, he discon- 
tinued the brewery department and has since devoted his attention to the wholesale 
bottling trade, in which enterprise he has built up an extensive patronage. For a 
period of about fifteen years Mr. Hait has been a conspicuous figure in the councils 
of the Democratic party in this city. In 1888 he was the nominee of his party for the 
office of alderman of the old Second ward, and while he was defeated in that then 
Republican stronghold his "run" was gratifying to himself and his friends. In 
1894, in recognition of his services to his party, he was appointed deputy collector of 
internal revenue for the 26th district of New York, and in all respects he proved a 
reliable public officer. In 1893 he was first chosen chairman of the Democratic 
county committee, and in 1900 he was again selected for the same office. Charles E. 
Hait is a native of Seneca Falls, N. Y., born in 1849, the son of the late Israel Hait 
and the youngest of his eight children. Charles was brought up on his father's farm 
and was educated in the district school. When old enough he himself began teach- 
ing winter terms of school and worked on the farm during the warm months. He 
taught two winters in Onondaga county, two winters in Seneca county and a like 
term in Kansas, where he lived about two years. When he began his business career 
it was as a farmer in company with his brother on a large farm m Onondaga county. 
He then traveled on the road for the National Yeast Company of Seneca Falls, in 
whose employ he continued five years, or until about the time he came to Bingham- 
ton, in 1881. In 1884 Mr. Hait married Margaret Cooney, by whom he has six chil- 
dren. 



Newing, Judson Shultz, one of Binghamton's self-made and successful business 
men, and whose new jewelry store at the corner of Court and Collier streets, is by 
far the most attractive establishment of its kind in the city, was born in Ellenville, 
Ulster county, in 1862, and came with his parents to this city in 1868. His father, 
John W. Newing, is a carpenter by trade, and previous to his retirement from busi- 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 937 

ness was for many years an active factor in the industrial history of this locality. 
Judson was educated in the city schools, but early left his books that he might learn 
a trade. He became a practical jeweler, and from 1882 to 1889 he was in the employ 
of the late J. H. Mason. In the spring of 1889 he went into business at No. 138 
Court street, continuing in that location until the spring of 1900. when he removed 
to his present store in the McNamara building. Mr. Newing is a prominent Red 
Man, and also is a member of the Knights of Pythias order of this city. 



Stone. James M., who died in this city July 17, 1899, was prominently identified 
with local progress and history for more than thirty years. He came to Binghamton 
in 1865, and with his brother, Frederick F. Stone, started a boot and shoe factory on 
Water street. In 1868 William E. Knight was taken into the firm, the style of which 
then became J. M. Stone & Co. and so continued until January 1, 1877, when it was 
changed to Stone, Goff & Co., by the admission of Henry A. Goff to the partnership. 
F. F. Stone died in the fall of 1879, and in January, 1880, Herbert E. Stone became 
a member of the firm. Other changes were subsequently made in the personnel of 
the firm and the business eventually passed into the hands of Stone & Germond. 
When this was done Mr. Stone retired from active business pursuits and devoted 
himself to personal affairs and the various corporations with which he was connected. 

He was for many years a director in theSusquehanna Valley Bank; was one of the 
founders and incorporators of the Security Mutual Life Association, one of its directors 
and its vice-president and was president of the Co-operative Building and Loan Asso- 
ciation of Binghamton. In fraternal circles Mr. Stone was a member of Otseningo 
Lodge, No. 435, F. & A. M., Binghamton Chapter, No. 139, R. A. M., and Malta 
Commander y. No. 21, K. T. He was a devoted member and elder and one of the 
chief supporters of the West Presbyterian church. These were the principal local 
interests and institutions with which Mr. Stone was identified. 

He was born in New Braintree, Mass., February 11, 1830, and lived at home, at- 
tended school and worked on a farm until he was twenty-two years old. In 1852 he 
went with a party to the California gold fields, where he remained about three years. 
His efforts there were successful, yet in 1855 he returned east and engaged in the 
boot and shoe business at North Brookfield, Mass., as junior partner in the firm of 
Gulliver & Stone. In 1865 the partnership was dissolved, upon which Mr. Stone 
came to Binghamton and established the industry which so long prospered in our 
city. But now the founder, and his brother, and Mr. Knight, are all gone, and the 
firm name is no more known in business circles. James M. Stone was one of our 
best citizens and did much for the welfare of the city. His wife, whom he married 
in 1855, was Phebe Jane Cleveland. Herbert E. Stone, of Cleveland, Ohio, but 
formerly of this city, and Mrs. Charles C. Jackson are children of the marriage above 
noted. 



Bennett, Jacob M., proprietor of a flour, feed and seed store, and former alderman 
of the Sixth ward, has been a resident of Binghamton since 1870, having come here 
a few years after his father, the late William Bennett, located in the city. Jacob 
worked for a time as a carpenter, then had charge of John Evans' paper cabinet fac- 
tory, and still later was for five years proprietor of a cigar box factory. In 1894 he 



938 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

started a general flour, feed and seed store near the south end of the Rockbottom 
bridge and has since been numbered among our successful and enterprising business 
men. Mr. Bennett is a strong Republican, always active in the interests of the party, 
though not in any sense is he an othce seeker. He was elected alderman of his ward 
in 1889 and served with entire satisfaction to the party and the city. In 1872 Mr. 
Bennett married Josephine, daughter of Samuel N. Thompson, an old and respected 
resident of the city. 



Grummond, Fred Wilber, son of Nathaniel and Harriet (Barrows) Grummond, 
was born in Kattellville, town of Chenango, September 14, 1854. When Fred was 
about five years old his mother died, upon which he was sent to Macdonough, Che- 
nango county, to live with his grandparents. His father remarried four years later, 
and in 1863 came to live in Binghamton, removing thence to Windsor about 1870, 
but eventually returning to this city, where he now resides. Fred acquired his early 
education in the Binghamton schools and began his business career as salesman for 
Charles Butler, travelling about southern New York and northern Pennsylvania with 
a horse and peddler's wagon and a stock of cigars. He was thus employed two or 
three years, and notwithstanding the primitive method then employed in selling 
cigars the business was successful, and Fred Grummond, even then was regarded as 
a good salesman. At all events he was soon afterwards employed by Westcott & 
Kent to sell cigars on the road, and enjoys the pleasant distinction of having been 
the first regular commercial traveler to start out of Binghamton with a line of cigars 
for the wholesale trade. After the partnership last mentioned was dissolved Mr. 
Grummond traveled for George A. Kent & Co., and still later became partner with 
Harvey Westcott and Fred H. Westcott in the extensive cigar manufacturing firm 
of Westcott, Son & Co. At the end of five years Mr. Grummond withdrew from the 
firm and with John Hull and the late Charles A. Hull established the well known 
house of Hull, Grummond & Co., the latter being now one of the largest concerns of 
its kind in the city. Thus, for a period of more than twenty-five years Fred W. 
Grummond has been actively identified with Binghamton's leading industry, and in 
his various business connections has been an extensive employer of labor in the city. 
His efforts in life have been well rewarded and in the estimation of all business men 
he has gained an excellent standing. In social and fraternal circles also his position 
is enviable. He became a Mason, a member of Otseningo lodge, in 1889, and later 
acquired a membership in all other Masonic bodies in the city. As a member of the 
A. A. O. N. M. S. he is united with Mecca Temple of New York city. He took the 
thirty-third degree of Masonry in Buffalo in September, 1895. On April 28, 1887. 
Mr. Grummond married Emily T., daughter of Dr. Hial and Ann E. (Race) Hodge, 
of this city. 



Hodge, Hial, was born in Coventry, Chenango county, January 9, 1829, and died 
in Binghamton March 21, 1883. His young life was spent in Coventry and Greene. 
In the latter village he first engaged in business in partnership with his brother, who 
was a jeweler and also a dentist. Hial became proficient in dentistry, in which branch 
he diligently applied himself, and in 1800, four years after his marriage, he came to 
Binghamton to practice. In 18G1 he became partner with Dr. S. II. McCall, and 




FRKD W. GRUMMOND. 





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DR. HIAL HODGE. 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 939 

from that year until 1870 (when the firm was dissolved) Hodge & McCall were the 
leading dentists both of this city and of the southern tier. In later years Dr. Hodge 
was partner with Dr. G. A. Denike and Dr. Charles A. Perkins, in succession, both 
of whom were former students and graduates of his office. During the last two or 
three years of his life Dr. Hodge suffered seriously from failing eyesight and finally 
became totally blind. He died March 21, 1883. Throughout the period of his resi- 
dence in this city Dr. Hodge, professionally and socially, was one of our most pop- 
ular citizens, and in his death almost every personal acquaintance felt that he had 
lost a near friend. The doctor was a member of Otseningo lodge, F. & A. M., and 
also was a Sir Knight in Malta Commandery, K. T. Dr. Hodge's first wife was 
Emily T. Race, who died leaving no children. His second wife was Ann E. Race, 
who survives him and by whom he had two daughters: Emily T., wife of Fred W. 
Grummond of this city, and Cecelia, wife of William C. Willis, of Saginaw, Mich. 



Bean, Chauncey, first became identified with the business history of this city in 
1868, when the original firm of Marks & Bean (Byron Marks, Robert Hooper, Jere- 
miah Bean and Chauncey Bean) started a wholesale grocery and provision house. 
In the course of a few years Mr. Hooper retired from the firm, and was soon followed 
by Mr. Marks, after which the business was continued by Jeremiah and Chauncey 
Bean under the partnership name of Bean & Co. Still later Jeremiah Bean retired 
from active business, upon which the present firm name of Bean & Co. was estab- 
lished. Chauncey Bean retired in 1885, yet he still retains an intere.st in the busi- 
ness of the house of which he was one of the founders more than thirty years ago. 
The present active members of the firm of Bean & Co. are Irving W. Bean, nephew, 
and Arthur J. Bean, son of Chauncey Bean. 

Chauncey Bean was born in Solon, Cortland county, October 29, 1818, the son of 
Josiah Bean, the latter being a sturdy New Hampshire Yankee by birth and a pio- 
neer farmer in Cortland county, N. Y. In Josiah Bean's family were six sons and 
six daughters. When about eighteen years old Chauncey left the home farm and 
became a clerk in the store of his brother Jeremiah, remaining with him five years. 
In 1841 he went into business with John S. Dyer, the firm being Dyer & Bean, gen- 
eral merchants, at Willett, Cortland county. In 1850, the store at Willett having 
been sold, Mr. Bean became partner with his brother Jeremiah at Cincinnatus, car- 
rying on a large country store under the firm name of J. & C. Bean. In 1856 this 
business was sold, and in the next year Chauncey Bean removed to Ottawa, 111,, 
where he did business eleven years, then sold out and at the request of his brother 
came to Binghamton (Jeremiah Bean having removed here with his family in 1867) 
and became partner in the firm of Marks & Bean, as before mentioned. 

Chauncey Bean is the only survivor of the old firm, and indeed is one of our city's 
oldest business men. Although now practically retired from active pursuits, his in- 
terest in the welfare of the city has never abated, and every measure proposed for 
the public good finds in him an earnest supporter. 

In 1845 Mr. Beau married Jane E., daughter of Justin Morgan, of Brimfield, Mass. 
Of this marriage four children were born: Arthur J. Bean, who married Nellie James, 
of St. Louis, Mo., of the firm of Bean & Co. ; Frank, who died in infancy; Mary, who 
married Charles M. Jarvis, president of the Berlin Bridge Co., East Berlin, Conn., 



940 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

and a native of this city; and Sarah Bean, wife of Rev. Archibald Hadden, pastor 
of the First Congregational church of Muskegan, Mich. For many years Mr. Bean 
has been a member and of his means a liberal supporter of the Congregational church. 



Richards, Dan S., was born in the town of Union, September 24, 1830, the son of 
" Squire" Jesse and Mary (Forker) Richards, being the second of their nine children. 
His grandfather was Henry Richards, who came from Pennsylvania and made a 
permanent .settlement on the Boston purchase in 1791, and therefore was one of the 
pioneers of this part of the Susquehanna valley. 

The early life of Dan S. Richards was spent in Union, on his father's farm and he 
was educated in the old Binghamton academy. He read law with Horace S. Gris- 
wold, and in January, 1854, was admitted to practice. He at once began began 
professional work in the then village of Binghamton and was soon recognized as one 
of the keenest young lawyers of the. county bar. This standing he afterward main- 
tained throughout the period of his active professional career. For more than twenty 
years he has been resident attorney for the D. L. & W. R. R. company. 

Although now virtually retired from active work, Mr. Richards visits the ofhce 
almost daily, where, as one of the oldest members of the city bar, his counsel and 
advice are frequently sought by younger members of the profession, and also by 
many of his old clients. Mr. Richards' first partner was Corydon Tyler, followed by 
William Barrett, George A. Northrup, Benajah S. Curran, Gilman L. Sessions and 
Robert B. Richards, in the order mentioned. Mr. Richards has also been an active 
factor in local Democratic politics and served as village attorney in 1853, alderman 
in 1869-70 and school commissioner in 1879-81. 

In October, 1857, Mr. Richards married Mary C. Merchant, who died childless. 
His second wife was Ellen H. Bostwick whom he married in June, 1862. Three 
sons, Robert B., Ferdinand B. and Dan S. Richards, jr., are the children of this 
marriage. 



Inloes, Alfred J , M. D., was born in Baltimore, Md., October 6, 1844, and was the 
son of Joseph S. and Martha A. (Reed) Inloes. At the age of eight years Alfred's 
education was begun, and he was kept at a boarding school until he was prepared 
for college, his father, who was a lawyer, intending to provide him with a full course 
in the University of Virginia About that time, however, the war of 1861-65 was 
begun and on May 17, 1861, the young student enlisted in Co. A, 1st Maryland In- 
fantry (afterward merged into the 10th Virginia Infantry) C. S. A., with which regi- 
ment he served one year. He was mustered out in 1862, and soon afterward enlisted 
in Co. B, 43d Virginia Battalion of Cavalry, serving with that command until the close 
of the war. 

Returning from the service Mr. Inloes became a student in the ofhce of Dr. Ed- 
ward Warren of Baltimore, after which his medical education was finished in the 
University of Washington, where he was graduated February 22, 1868. He prac- 
ticed medicine six years in Washington, D. C, after which he went into the oil 
region of Pennsylvania and became managing clerk in a large wholesale and retail 
drug store in Titusville. 

In 1873 he came to Binghamton, and in company with A. N. Perrin and Marcus 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. on 

Brownson, purchased the Brownell & Stocking drug store ; for the next ten years the 
firm of A. J. Inloes & Co. wtis well known in business circles in southern New York. 
At the end of that period the firm went out of business, after which the senior part- 
ner, who was in fact the active member of the firm, resumed the practice of medi- 
cine. 

In 1885 he was appointed deputy collector of internal revenue, and served in that 
capacity five yeais. Still later he was teller in the private banking house of Erastus 
Ross & Sons about four years. On December 2, 1895, Dr. Inloes was appomted sec- 
retary of the board of education, which position he still holds. Dr. Inloes' connec- 
tion with the city board of education began in September, 1893, when he was elected 
a member of that body; but his interest in the city and its institutions dates from the 
year he became a citizen of Binghamton. He is a conservative Democrat, not tak- 
ing an active part in political contests. In 1881-83 he was elected to the board of 
supervisors from the First ward. 

Alfred J. Inloes married Sarah E., daughter of Joseph Walker of Providence, R. I. 
Of this marriage two children were born, one of whom is now living. 



Wales, Alexander De Witt, who is known as one of the most forcible and thorough 
trial lawyers now at the bar in this city, was born in Liberty, Sullivan county, De- 
cember 16, 1848. He was the son of Blake and Adeline (De Witt) Wales, his father 
being well remembered in the city, where the later years of his life were spent. 
Alexander (he is better known to our bar as A. De Witt Wales) passed his youth in 
New York city, where he attended .school, but about 1864 his parents removed to 
Delaware. In the fall of 1869 he entered the University Law school, and was ad- 
mitted to practice in New York in 1871. The same year he located in this city and 
has since been a member of the Broome county bar, and one of its best representa- 
tives. He was clerk of the board of supervisors in 1876, and corporation counsel 
from 1878 to 1886. 

Politically Mr. Wales is a Democrat, and perhaps the strongest exponent of his 
party's principles in the county. As a public speaker, or as an advocate before the 
jury, his manner is easy, his utterances forcible, and his reasoning always sound and 
logical. He occasionally has been the nominee of his party for high public office, 
when it was hoped his professional and personal popularity might turn the scale of 
contest in a county and congressional district which were almost hopelessly Repub- 
lican. 

On July 30, 1876, Mr. Wales married Lizzie H. Hart, daughter of Charles G. Hart, 
and granddaughter of the late venerable Dr. Paddock, of the M. E. church. Of this 
marriage six children were born. 

Jackson, David Post, M. D., is a native of Montrose, Pa., born November 10, 1841, 
and is the son of the late Thomas Jackson, who is mentioned at length in another 
part of this work. In 1842 Dr. Jackson removed to Binghamton, and David (he is 
best known in professional and social circles in the city as D. Post Jackson) was 
educated in Binghamton Academy and the Susquehanna Seminary, both of which 
were once famous village institutions. He was also a student m Hobart College 
three years, after which he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New 
York, where he was graduated in 1865. 



942 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

Dr. Jackson has always practiced in Bingham ton, and is known as a thoroughly 
competent physician. In many ways he has been identified with the city and its in- 
stitutions. For six years he was a member of the city board of health and also at 
one time served as health officer; was coroner and United States pension examiner 
four years (1885-89). He is past sachem of Seminole Tribe, I. O. R. M., and past 
master of Binghamton Lodge No. 177, F & A. M. He became a member of the 
County Medical Society in 1865, and was its president in 1888-89. He was elected a 
fellow of the Academy of Medicine in 1865. For more than twenty-five years Dr. 
Jackson has been local examiner for the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New 
York, and is also the examiner for the Travelers Life and Accident Companies of 
Hartford, Conn. 



Hand, George F., M. D., was born in Binghamton, November 28, 1842, and is the 
eldest son of the late Dr. Stephen D. Hand, the latter one of the leading disciples of 
homeopathy in Southern New York. George was educated in the Binghamton Acad- 
emy and also the Susquehanna Seminary, where he prepared for a collegiate course. 
He then began the study of medicine under his father's instruction, and supple- 
mented his office education with a course of lectures in the medical department of 
Columbia College of New York city and also in the New York Homeopathic Medi- 
cal College. He was graduated at the latter institution in 1865. 

Returning to Binghamton he formed a partnership with his father which con- 
tinued to the deaUi of the senior partner in 1879. Since that time Dr. Hand has 
practiced without a partner. He certainly has been a successful physician, and his 
elementary instruction in both schools of medicine has been an important factor in 
in that success. He is a member of the County and State Homeopathic Medical So- 
cieties and also of the American Institute of Homeopathy. Dr. Hand has been an 
important factor in Broome county politics, though he is not in any sense a politician. 
He believes in temperance in all things, and that belief with him is an immovable 
principle. Politically, he is classed with the Prohibition party and has been its can- 
didate for several public offices 

Dr. Hand has been twice married. His first wife was Emily S. Caldwell, who died 
October 29, 1874; a daughter, Julia, survives. His second wife wasS. Delia Gifford, 
by whom he has had three children, two of whom, George G. and Irving F. Hand, 
are living. 



Johnson, Joseph M., is a native of Hoosic Falls, N. Y., born April 3, 1840. His 
parents were Rev. Leonard and Harriet N. (Hatch) Johnson, and of their nine chil- 
dren he was the sixth. His father was a Presbyterian clergyman, and lived m Bing- 
hamton from 1846 to 1851, when he removed to Triangle, at which place he died in 
1858. His mother was a daughter of Judge Hatch, of the Vermont Supreme court. 
Joseph was educated in the famous old Binghamton and Windsor academies, after 
which, in September, 1858, he entered the county clerk's office as copyist under Will- 
iam C. Doane, county clerk, where he remained until January 1, 1859, when he found 
employment in Pratt's bookstore, in Binghamton, remaining there about two years. 
He then read law one year in Judge Griswold's office, and in 1862 was appointed 
deputy county clerk under Charles O. Root. He was thus engaged four years, de- 



FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 943 

voting his leisure hours, however, to the study of law under Judge Griswold's in- 
struction. 

In November, 1865, he was admitted to practice law. On May 15, 1874, he was 
admitted to practice in the United States court. He practiced in partnership with 
George Whitney about two years, and in the fall of 18G7 was himself elected county 
clerk, serving two terms of three years each. He then resumed practice alone, but 
in 1875 became partner with David H. Carver, under the name of Johnsem & Carver. 
This firm continued about si.K years, when the senior partner retired from profes- 
sional work by reason of impaired health. He was then out of business several 
years, but devoted his time to the care of his own and his wife's property. 

In February, 1866, he was elected mayor of the city, serving in that capacity one 
year and was one of city's most popular officers Soon afterward Mr. Johnson be- 
came senior partner in the wholesale grain dealing and shipping firm of Johnson & 
Comstock, and was in business about five years. In 1892 he opened a general fire 
insurance agency in the city, in which business he is now engaged. 

On May 2, 1873, Joseph M. Johnson married Anna E., daughter of the late Darius 
S. Ayers of this city. Three children were born of this marriage. 



Millard, Stephen C, has been a lawyer of this city for a period of more than thirty 
years, and during that time has advanced solely through his own efforts from the 
humble position of law student to the elevated professional station of leader of the 
city bar. It was a peculiarly fortunate circumstance in Mr. Millard's career that he 
was a student in Orlow W. Chapman's office, as he was there first brought into di- 
rect association with the best element of our people ; and it was equally fortunate 
that he should have been chosen from the younger members of the city bar as the 
business partner of that legal giant, Giles W. Hotchkiss, after the death of Lewis 
Seymour. At that time, in 1873, Mr. Hotchkisshad known Mr. Millard hardly more 
than five years, but he know that he came of sturdy New England stock; that his 
educational qualifications were ample; that his personal character was unquestion- 
able. Hence the partnership and its pleasant period of uninterrupted association 
until Mr. Hotchkiss' death in 1878 (the firm of Millard & Stewart succeeded Hotch- 
kiss & Millard). 

Mr. Millard was born in Stamford, in historic Bennington county, Vt.. January 14. 
1841. He was the son of Stephen C. and Harriet (Richmond) Millard, and the grand- 
son of James Millard, who was one of Bennington county's substantial early settlers. 
Stephen was educated at Powers institute and Williams college; and was graduated 
at the latter in 1865. He read law with Pingree & Barker, attorneys at Pittsfield, 
Mass., but later on was a student at the Harvard Law school. In February. 1867, 
he came to this city and continued his studies in Mr. Chapman's office, as his previous 
legal education had been practicallv theoretical and in accordance with the old com- 
mon law practice of New England, while in this State the code of 1848 governed the 
practice. In May of the same year he was admitted to the bar. 

Thus equipped, Mr. Millard applied himself diligently to the labors of the profes- 
sion and soon assumed and up to this time has maintained a prominent position 
among the ablest lawyers in this section of the state. His career is not yet closed 
and we cannot write of him as of one retired from active work, yet in mentioning 



944 FACTORS IN BINGHAMTON HISTORY. 

briefly the characteristics of the members of the city bar, one or two of Mr. Millard's 
personal traits are proper. In the conduct of his legal business he is both cautious 
and methodical, but never laborious. He will discourage rather than promote liti- 
igation, and in his intercourse with clients, deliberation always precedes counsel. 
He occasionally indulges in rhetoric, but never in oratorical display, and always 
approaches the subject in hand with dignity, self-possession, and in the light of prin- 
ciple and common sense. Withal, Mr. Millard is recognized as a strong trial lawyer 
and a pleasing and logical advocate. 

During the period of his practice, he has been associated as counsel, or attorney of 
record, with several of the most important cases tried in our courts, and enjoys the 
pleasant distinction of having obtained the largest judgment ever ordered in Broome 
county (Dunn, as receiver, vs. O'Connor, assignee of Ross & Sons), the amount of 
which was $166,227.34. Another important case was that of Turner vs. The Trus- 
tees of the N. Y. State Inebriate Asylum, in which Mr. Millard was retained by the 
defense, and was successful. The action was tried in the U. S. Circuit Court, before 
Justice Blatchford. In the Delong murder trial he was senior counsel to District 
Attorney Curtiss. He successfully defended Lewis Furman, also charged with 
murder. 

In 1883-85 and again in 1885-87 Mr. Millard represented his district in Congress, 
having been twice elected as the candidate of the Republican party. His record in 
the hou.se of representatives was entirely satisfactory to his district, and he was re- 
garded by his political associates as a valuable member of that legislative body. He 
secured the passage of an act appropriating $150,000 for the Federal building in this 
city. In 1888 he was a delegate to the National Republican convention whicn nomi- 
nated General Harrison for the presidency. 

On December 27, 1871, Mr. Millard married Helen J., daughter of Abel Bennett. 
Three sons, Norman B. , Stephen C. and Richmond Millard, were born of this 
marriage. 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 



Kattell Thaddeus A., son of Alonzo E. and Elma Moore Kattell, was born m Kat- 
tellville N Y.. November 17, 1839. Alonzo E. was a son of Elias Kattell, a na- 
tive of Vermont who came to Kattellville about 1800. and purchased one thousand 
acres of land, two hundred of which are now owned by Thaddeus and Char es W 
Kattell Alonzo E. was quite extensively engaged until quite late m hfe in lumber- 
ing merchandising and farming. Thaddeus A. had tl- -Vantage ocomrnon 
schools until 1858. when he went to Sioux City. Iowa. -^ ^ --;"7^^^;;Tn 
mercial school, mastering double entry bookkeeping. He a so took a c -^« ^° 
mathematics and the English classics, closely applyvng himself -^d the Pring of 
1861 when he engaged in teaching. He enlisted in Sioux City Independent Cavalry 
n he Ll of 1861, which was soon afterward consolidated with the Seventh Iowa 
Cavahy He was in Brigadier-General Alfred Sully's expedition agamst the Sioux 
Indians in 1864 and was promoted to the office of commissary-sergeant. 1° 1864 ^e 
Ls stationed at Sioux City for the purpose of forwarding supphes -^ -- J^f^^^^ 
out in the fall of 1864. He then joined a company which engaged m cotton raising 
on a laree plantation near Murf reesboro, Tennessee. The company made money in 
86 .bufthewt having ended, four thousand acres of better -ton^-^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
wer^ purchased at Floyd Smith Landing, Arkansas. ^>-;- ^^^^^^^^ ^ ^at ,- 
and tvvo thousand six hundred acres were planted in 1866. Mr battel macie 
overland trip to the interior of Texas, during the late summer, returning wrth about 
onetlred colored cotton pickers, cooking and sleeping -^^^^J^-^^f J^ c- 
trip. The '• cohn pones," barbacued meats and wild game with ^^t coffee ana 
ompaniments, together with the effective tonic of an entirely -;^-;;^^^^^ 
pyed beyond any menu of «- first class hostelries. ^^^^^ ^7/; ^^^^^^^^^^ L. 
and other causes, the business showed a loss in 1866 and m the spr g 
Kattell came north and met. for the ^^^\f-^%'^^''^'Z'7'^^^^^^^^ re- 

Trump, daughter of the Hon. Philadelph ^^ J^^-P' "^^Jj-- fj^^^^^^^^^^^ to 
turned to Arkansas for the purpose of planting in l^^J'^/^^J^^^;/^^^ ^^ eame to 
procure the necessary labor in ^i-. the enterpnse ..^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^^^. 

New York. In the autumn he returned to Tennessee ana ^j^cullough, secre- 

ment as United States Revenue ^^ore-keeper from Horn Hugh Mc^^^^^ 
tary of the treasury, and was placed in charge of a bonded --^hoj^^^^^^^ J ,,^, 
ery county, near Clarksville. He was afterwards called to the headq 
district and made deputy and cashier and remained --^til the col e _^^^^^^^ 

was appointed, when ^^ assis.d the Ho^ijrn. B^ S -^^^^^^^ ^ ^ 

revenue, in turning over the office. Un uecerauci . 
60 



946 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

commissioner by Hon. Connolly F. Trigg, of the District Court of the U. S. for the 
Middle District of Tennessee. He afterward came north again and was soon noti- 
fied of an appointment as U. S. store-keeper, but did not accept. He was soon en- 
gaged in the Erie Railway office at Binghamton, and was, within a short time, to be 
appointed private secretary to Col. Bowman, purchasing agent of the road, but it 
went into the hands of a receiver and he resumed his former duties at Binghamton. 
Mr. Kattell was married in October, 1873. Mrs. Kattell was born and reared at 
Lancaster, Ohio, educated at Kee Marr College, Hagerstown, Maryland, and for 
some years after the death of her mother, had charge of her father's home and fam- 
ily. Her father, Hon. P. Van Trump, was born in Lancaster, O., November 15, 
1810, and received a public school education and later learned the art of printing and 
edited " The Lancaster Gazette & Enquirer." He was a delegate to the National 
Whig Convention which nominated Scott and Graham, in 1852, and in 1856 was a 
candidate for senatorial elector for Ohio on the Fillmore ticket. He was president 
of the Bell and Everett State Convention in 1860 and the Democratic candidate for 
supreme judge in the years 1863, 1864 and 1865. He served as judge of the Court of 
Common Pleas from 1862 to 1866 and was elected to the Fortieth and Forty first 
Congresses. He was also re-elected to the Forty-second Congress, receiving 14,123 
votes against 10,265 for C. E. Brown, Republican. In the winter of 1875, Mr. Kat- 
tell and family removed to Chicago, where he entered the lubricating oil business in 
which he was engaged until May, 1883, when he disposed of the business, purchas- 
ing and removing to the old homestead at Kattellville, where he has since resided. 
He is now serving his fifth year as supervisor from Chenango. Mr. and Mrs. Kat- 
tell have one son, Thomas B., born at Binghamton, N. Y., September 9, 1875. He 
attended the district school at Kattellville until the fall of 1890, when he entered the 
employ of his uncle, Charles W. Kattell, in New York city, as assistant bookkeeper, 
which position he resigned in September, 1894. In May, 1895, he commenced the 
study of law in the office of Hon. George F. Lyon, at Binghamton, was admitted to 
the bar March 7, 1899, and is now engaged in the practice of his profession. 



Peck, Dr. H. C, was born at Rockwell's Mills, Chenango county, N. Y., December 
19, 1853. His father, Benjamin P. Peck, was a native of Oneida county, N. Y. His 
mother, Caroline Chamberlin, was born at Mt. Upton, N. Y. His grandfather, Rev. 
Henry Peck, was born in Connecticut. In his early days he was a Methodist Circuit 
rider. In later years he became a clergyman of the Episcopal church and died in 
that faith, at Mt. Upton, N. Y., Bishop Huntington officiating at his funeral .services. 
Dr. Peck received his literary education at Cazenovia seminary and Union college. 
His medical education was received at Albany and Cleveland Medical colleges, 
graduating at the former college December 23, 1875, with the honors of his class. In 
1894 Dr. Peck came to Port Dickinson, where he has enjoyed a lucrative practice. 
In the fall of 1899 he was elected a coroner of Broome county. He married Elma A. 
Castle of Chenango Forks. He has one child, Inez N. Peck, who is married and liv- 
ing in Brooklyn, N. Y. 



Hatch, O. W., was born in Fenton, on the farm he owns, August 2, 1857, a son of 
O. W., and grandson of Elnathan Hatch, who spent his last days in the west. Mr. 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 947 

Hatch's father came to Fenton from Nelson, Madison county, in 1837, and here died 
in 1886. He married Lucy P. Porter, born in Coventry, N. Y., daughter of Elisha 
Porter, a native of Connecticut, and who spent his last days in Greene. Mr. and 
Mrs Hatch had six children, five now living. In politics he was a Republican, and 
was justice of the peace and highway commissioner; he died January 14, 1886, and 
his wife January 9, 1897. O. W. Hatch, the subject, was educated at Whitney's 
Point academy and followed teaching three terms. He was engaged in the mercan- 
tile business with Thomas Scott at North Fenton for three years, but now carries on 
farming. In 1886 he married Florence E. Elliott, daughter of A. Jackson and Mary 
E. (Horton) Elliott. Mr. Elliott was born in Greene, N. Y., in 1829, and died August 
29, 1872. Mr. Hatch is a Republican and has been collector and inspector. He is a 
member of the I. O. R. M., and attends the M. E. church. 



Walters, Herman D., p. o. Lestershire, was born in the town of Owego, Novem- 
ber 3, 1868. His father, William Walters, was a native of Gaskill and was engaged 
in farming and lumbering. He was asses.sor of Owego for two terms and postmaster 
of Gaskill for several years. He married Margaret Phillips, and their children are 
Elizabeth Walters Foster, James P., Callie R. Walters, Bennett and William A., 
who died in 1897. Mr. Walters died January 31, 1887, and his wife December 20, 
1895. Herman D. Walters was educated in the common schools and Owego acad- 
emy. He studied law with George F. Andrews of Owego, and was admitted to the 
bar May 1, 1891. He came to Lestershire in April, 1896, and is now engaged in a 
successful practice making a specialty of real estate law. He built a brick block on 
Main street which is known as the Walters block and has also erected a fine residence 
on Grand ave. He was elected trustee of the village for two years and served as 
treasurer for one year. Mr. Walters married Laura E. Andrews, of Owego, N. Y. ; 
they have two children: Edith and Herman, jr. 



Mersereau, Clair M., p. o. Union, was born in Union, November 11, 1861. His 
father, Aaron Mersereau, was a native of Vestal, and was engaged in the mercantile 
business in Union for thirty-five years ; he was elected president of the village for 
two years and trustee of the Union school for eight years. He married Mary E. 
Robbins and died June 21, 1888. C. M. Mersereau was educated in the Union school 
and then engaged in business with his father for eight years, and for four years was 
engaged in the Union Hardware Company and was elected trustee of the village for 
two years. He was president of the village one year. He married Stella Laura, 
daughter of Henry H. Lipes, and they have three children: Bessie, Genevieve and 
Helen L. Mr. Mersereau is one of Union's representative business men, of sterling 
integrity and has always been identified with the best interests of his town. 

Loomis. A. G., was born in Bainbridge, September 25, 1847, a son of Alonzo and 
Mary (West) Loomis. Mr. Loomis came to Deposit in December, 1871, and engaged 
in the livery business; also carried on an extensive farming business and is a gen- 
eral dealer in horses and cattle. He married Emma, daughter of Samuel Rosen- 
crans, of Pennsylvania, and they are the parents of Lewis A., Juvia and Albert 
Gurdon. jr. Mr. Loomis is one of Deposit's representative business men and of 
sterling integrity. 



948 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

Dibble, Tyler E., was born January 17, 1866, a son of Aiken V. and Emalinda 
(Tyler) Dibble, whose children were George, Grace, Horton, Frank, Tyler and 
Charles Tyler E. Dibble was educated in the common schools of Windsor and 
when eighteen years of age engaged as a telegraph operator on the Boston, Hoosac 
Tunnel & Western Railroad ; later he engaged with the Delaware & Hudson Rail- 
road, also the N. Y. C. & H. R. Railroad as agent and operator. He is interested 
in farming and carries on a farm in the town of Windsor. February 25, 1894, Mr. 
Dibble married Etta May Stanton, who lived only six months, and on December 4, 
1896, he married Emma May Dershimer; they have two children, both natives of the 
town of Windsor. Mr. Dibble is an active member of the Prohibition party; he is 
also interested in school and educational work and at present is a trustee of the 
school. 



Faatz, William G. , founder of the Faatz Brush and Felting Company, of Lester- 
shire, is a native of Honesdale, Pa., born December 22, 1864, the son of Henry Faatz, 
a glass manufacturer and a grandson of the pioneer window-glass maker of the 
United States. William was educated in the Honesdale public schools and academy, 
after which he learned the saddler's trade. Having served his apprenticeship, Mr. 
Faatz worked one year as journeyman and then started in business for himself in 
Susquehanna borough, Pa. In 1889, at the solicitation of G. Harry Lester, founder 
of Lestershire, Mr. Faatz and his brothers Frank and Gilbert H. came to the village 
and engaged in the general manufacture of saddlery goods, beginning in a small 
way at first and gradually increasing the capacity of the works as the demands of 
the trade required, until the Faatz Brush and Felting Company is now the largest 
concern of its special kind in the country and furnishes regular employment to about 
100 workmen. A good measure of success has rewarded Mr. Faatz's efforts in busi- 
ness life, and all the success he has achieved has been the result of his own industry 
and perseverance; and to-day he is regarded as one of the half-dozen men who have 
made Lestershire. 

Although constantly occupied with the affairs of business, Mr. Faatz has found 
time to take an active part in all the measures proposed for the welfare of the village 
and its people, but he never has been in any sense a seeker after political honors. 
He was one of the first village water commissioners, is still a member of the board, 
and was its president one year. He has an excellent Masonic record, an active 
membership in Otseningo Blue lodge, Bingharaton Chapter and Otseningo Consis- 
tory, also in Malta Commandery, Knights Templar. By reason of his membership 
in the latter body, Mr. Faatz also is a member of Kalurah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., 
of the Oasis of Binghamton. Mr. Faatz married Rose Moore, daughter of J. E. 
Moore of Buffalo. Their children are Raymond W. , Priscilla and Pearl Faatz. 



Hoadley, Aubert David, was born on the farm where he now resides, in the village 
of Windsor, September 23. 1837, a son of David and Sally (Knox) Hoadley ; Mrs, 
Hoadley was a daughter of Capt. James and Lydia Stratton Knox. David Hoad- 
ley's first wife was Mary Moore; their children were Amanda Jane, Mary Ann, Har- 
riet, Catherine, Mary, Ann Eliza and Edna E. ; by his second wife he had two chil- 
dren: Aubert D. and Henry A. David was a son of Daniel and Mary (Moore) 




WILLIAM G. FAATZ. 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 949 

Hoadley; their children were Daniel, Irey, Noah. Asa, David, Abel, Jared, Olive and 
Elizabeth Mary, wife of Gillard Hotchkiss. Daniel came here from the east with his 
family about 1800 and settled on Hoadley Hill. Aubert D. Hoadley spent his early 
life on the farm with his parents, and was educated in the Windsor Academy. 
When about ten years of age his father died and when sixteen years of age he took 
charge of his father's estate under the supervision of his mother until her death, 
when he came in possession of the farm and now carries on general farming. Mr. 
Hoadley has been active in town and county affairs and for twelve years was high- 
way commissioner; he has also been active in school and educational work and for 
three years was a member of the board of education. On October 2, 1861, he en- 
listed in Co. G, 89th Regiment N. Y. Vols., and served as a private for two years; 
was promoted to first sergeant and was mustered out October 15, 1864. He is a 
charter member of Judd Post, of which he has been commander, senior vice and 
junior vice. Mr. Hoadley was one of the hundred men of the 89th Regiment who 
volunteered to cross the river at Fredericksburg and dislodge the sharpshooters at 
that point. 



Smith, Charles H., was born on the farm where he now resides, August 11, 1854, a 
son of Edgar O. and Joanna E. (Hathaway) Smith, who had three children: Charles 
H., Jennie, wife of Brizella Phillips, and Addie F., all natives of Windsor. Edgar 
O. was a son of Milo and Malinda Bunnell Smith; they had two children: Emily, 
wife of Selah Moore, and Edgar O. Milo was a native of the town of Colesville and a 
descendant of Puritan stock. Joanna E. was a daughter of Samuel and Cynthia 
(Kent) Hathaway; the Hathaways were of English descent. There were three 
brothers who came from England ; Samuel was a soldier in the war of 1812. Charles 
H. Smith spent his early life with his parents; he was educated in the common 
schools of the town of Windsor and also took a business course in Eastman's college 
" at Poughkeepsie, from which he was graduated in 1878. When a young man he was 
associated with his father on the farm about a mile east of where he now lives. In 
1883 he moved to Halstead, where he worked on the railroad for about six months, 
then entered the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Co. ; he was engaged with 
them about a year, when he returned to the old homestead, which he worked until 
his father's death in November, 1897, then took possession of same and followed 
general farming. November 17, 1880, Mr. Smith married Ella A., daughter of 
Henry and Esther Ann (Hathaway) Snedaker; they have two children: Arthur and 
Lula. Mr. Smith takes an active interest in town and county affairs and has been 
connected with the school as trustee and clerk for over ten years. He is a member 
of the Lester Union church ; and of Friendly Hand lodge, I. O. O. F. 



Benjamin, S. M., was born in Vestal, February 12. 1849, a son of Allen and Louisa 
Murdock Benjamin, and was educated in Wyoming Seminary and Eastman's Busi- 
ness college. He was employed in the county clerk's office for a time and taught 
school in Vestal for one term. In 1873 he came to Union and engaged in the hard- 
ware business and is now conducting the leading store of the town. Mr. Benjamin 
served as president of the board of education from 1891 to 1893, and is a member of 
Round Hill lodge; is past master and member of Binghamton Chapter No. 139, R. 



950 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

A. M. ; Malta Commaudery No. 21, K. T., and a member of Kalurah Temple, A. A. 
O. M. S. He married Rose, daughter of George Brown ; they have two daughters, 
Louisa A. and Ella C. Mr. Benjamin is one of the charter members of the fire de- 
partment, having served as fireman for fourteen years. 



Cafferty, Enoch B., was born in the town of Union, December 1, 1830. His father, 
Enoch Cafferty, was born in New Jersey and came to Union in 1795, where he was 
engaged in farming and was pilot on the river for over thirty years. He married 
Betsey Preston of Rutland county, Vt. ; he died i-i 1871 and his wife in 1876. Enoch 
B. was educated in the common schools and then engaged in farming and lumber- 
ing. He was commissioner of highways for four years and inspector of election for 
fifteen years. In 1895 he came to Lestershire and engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness and later the real estate and building business. Mr. Cafferty married Martha 
E. Whittemore, born December 1, 1831, and they had two children: Erwin D., 
who is engaged in the grocery business in Lestershire, and Minnie E., who married, 
March 25, 1889, N. V. Debow of Newark, N. J., wholesale commission merchant. 
Mrs. Cafferty died May 3, 1887. Mr. Cafferty is one of Lestershire's representative 
business men and a man of sterling integrity. 



Ballard, Dwight, p. o. Upper Lisle, was born in Triangle, on the farm he owns, 
October 26, 1839, a son of Erasmus, and grandson of Sherabiah and Sarah Emisan 
Ballai'd, who lived and died in New Hampshire. Erasmus Ballard was born in New 
Hampshire and came to Triangle in an early day, being one of the first settlers. 
His wife was Tannison Pellett, born in Connecticut and came to Barker with her 
parents when a girl. Mr. Ballard died m 1863 and his wife in 1899. Dwight Ballard 
was educated in the common schools and is one of the leading farmers, having a 
farm of 165 acres and a dairy of twenty cows. Mr. Ballard married Harriet G, 
Skillin, of Greene, N. Y., and they have two children- Claire A. and Nellie. Mr. 
Ballard is a member of Upper Lisle Lodge No. 388, F. & A. M. 



Smith, Dr. M. M., Lestershire, was born in East Union, Broome county, February 
4, 1876. His parents, Wellington D. Smith and Ellen Andrews, were both natives of 
Broome county. His father was for many years a school teacher, later was employed 
in the Binghamton post-oiifice and for several years past has been in the employ of 
the Lestershire Manufacturing Company. Dr. M. M. Smith was educated in the 
common schools of Binghamton where he graduated from the High School in 1893. 
After leaving school he took up newspaper work, being employed on the Binghamton 
"Call," under the editorship of E. H. Freeman. Later he served as private secre- 
tary to Major-Gen. John C. Robinson of Binghamton. In 1895 he entered the den- 
tal department of the University of Buffalo, from which he was graduated with 
honor in 1898. Soon after his graduation he located in Lestershire and is one of the 
prominent business men of the town. He married May, daughter of David W. 
Youngs. Dr. Smith is a man of sterling integrity and is always identified with the 
best interests of his town. 



Smith, Jasper, p. o. Upper Lisle, was born in Triangle, November 4, 1841, a son 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 951 

of Erastus, and grandson of Hendrick J. Smith, a pioneer of Broome county. Hen- 
drick J. was captured by the Indians when a boy of eight years and lived with them 
until thirteen years of age. Erastus Smith was born in Triangle on the farm Jas- 
per now owns, and here died in 1888. Jasper Smith was educated in the common 
and select schools. In 1861 he enlisted in the 16th N. Y. Light Artillery and served 
three years. At the close of the war Mr. Smith spent fourteen years in the West in 
the mining and lumbering regions; he now lives on a farm of 200 acres of land. In 
1886 Mr. Smith married Ella Frey, and their children are Ethel M., Seth L. and 
Catherine. Mr. Smith is a Knight Templar, a Mason, and a member of the G. A. R. 
In politics he is a Republican and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He was 
supervisor of Triangle six years in succession. 

Harding, Fred M., was born in Nicholson, Pa., September 12, 1861, a son of Lem- 
uel, and grandson of Lemuel and Polly (Wheat) Harding. Lemuel Harding, jr., 
was born in Orange county in 1829, and moved to Pennsylvania with his parents, 
who settled in Susquehanna county near New Milford, thence to Nicholson, where 
he built the first store in company with I. S. Little and was engaged in the mercan- 
tile business there and a few years in Scranton. In 1888 he came to Binghamton, 
where he was in business for some time, but now lives a retired life. He married 
Hannah E. Hallstead, daughter of O. L. Hallstead and Mary (Rivenburg) Hallstead ; 
they had five children, two now living: Fred M.. and Ogden L., station agent at 
Chenango Forks. Fred M. was reared in Nicholson, educated in the graded schools 
and Scranton High School. At the age of fifteen he was employed by the D., L. & 
W. Railroad, and in 18S0 came to Chenango Bridge as station agent, which position 
he still holds; he'is also engaged in the sale of coal and lumber, fertilizers and build- 
ing material. ' He owns a fine residence in Chenango Bridge, with five acres of land. 
In 1887 Mr Harding married Jannet Smith, daughter of Robert Smith, mentioned 
in this work • they had one daughter, Jannet. Mrs. Harding died in February, 1892. 
and in September, 1893, Mr. Harding married Laura N. Everett, daughter of New- 
ton F Everett- they had two children; Charles E. and Mary E. Mr. Harding is a 
member of Chenango Tribe No. 58, I. O. R. M., and Binghamton Castle No. 1, K. 
of M C Newton F. Everett was born in Sharon, Conn., September 26, 1832, a son 
of Gamaliel and grandson of Isaiah Everett, born in Connecticut and lived and died 
there His great-uncle, Eliphalet, was a steward in General Washington's family. 
Mr Everett was educated in the common schools of Connecticut and taught four 
winters there In March, 1885, he came to Chenango, where he has followed farming. 
In politics he is a Repubhcan and has been assessor, overseer of the Poor and super- 
visor. He married Mary, daughter of Silas Dutcher; they had three children: Ed- 
ward, Alice S. and Laura N. 

Van Slyke, Elmer W., was born in the town of Eagle, Wyoming county N Y 
April 11, 1861. His father, Peter J. Van Slyke. was a native of New York State 
and a farmer. He married Hannah M. Edwards of Ceres. N. Y. They were the 
parents of Clara Van Slyke Daley (deceased), Everett E.. Cortland H. (deceased) 
Bertha (deceased), and Josephine Van Slyke Klostermeyer. E. W. Van Slyke was 
was educated in Hamilton (Mo.) High School, and then engaged m the carpenter 



952 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

and joiner work ; he also took up the architect business and is now a large contractor 
and builder. In 1892 he was elected one of the first trustees of Lestershire and 
helped draft the by-laws of the village. Mr. Van Slyke married Eva Gardner, who 
died July 15, 1885, leaving one daughter, Lydia Kate, who survives; he married, 
second, Mary E., daughter of J. H. Swort, and their children are Adista J. and 
Yuna E. Mr. Van Slyke is one of the representative business men of Lestershire, of 
sterling integrity and has always been identified with the best interests of the town. 



Dunham, Thomas L., postmaster and business man of Lestershire, was born on 
Dunham Hill, in the locality now known as Itaska, February 28 1852, and was the 
eighth in a family of ten children of Albert Dunham. Mr. Dunham was a native of 
Dutchess county, a farmer by occupation, and in 1830 settled in the locality named 
for him Dunham Hill. Thomas spent his young life on a farm and was educated in 
the district schools and the Whitney's Point Academy. In April, 1874, in company 
with his brother Elias, he opened the first meat market in Maine village, and was 
engaged in business in that pleasant little hamlet sixteen years. In 1890 he came to 
Lestershire and was one of the pioneers of that now thriving village, opening a mar- 
ket on Maine street and otherwise taking an active part in all the measures proposed 
for the welfare of the place. As the civil list shows, Mr. Dunham was president of 
the village two years, member of the board of education several years and its presi- 
dent two years, and in many other ways has been closely identified with the best in- 
terests and history of the village. Moreover, he was one of the charter members 
and at one time foreman of the J. R. Diment Chemical Fire Engine company, and 
still retains an active membership in the successor organization, Henry B. Endicott 
Steam Fire Engine Co. No. 1. He also was a charter member of Golden Scepter 
Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Broome Lodge, A. O. U. W., while his connection with Red- 
manship antedates the founding of the village itself. He was also one of the original 
trustees of the Lestershire Baptist society and still is a member of the board. Indeed, 
the statement may be made with much truth that Thomas L. Dunham is recognized 
as one of the men who have made Lestershire. His appointment as postmaster was 
made in 1897. Politically Mr. Dunham is a firm Republican and is said to be the 
balance wheel of the party in the village when occasional dissensions arise. In 
Maine he was constable thirteen years and also served two terms of deputy sheriff 
under Sheriffs Dunn and Black. Mr. Dunham's wife, was Minnie L. , daughter of 
Joseph and Olive L. (West) Chauncey of Maine. They have one son, Chauncey W. 
Dunham. 



Amsbry. James Hawley, was born in Fenton, December 26, 1830, a son of Anson 
and grandson of Israel Amsbry, born in Connecticut, and who came to Onondaga 
county in an early day and to Broome county about 1820, where he lived and died. 
Anson Amsbry was born in Onondaga county near the Indian Reservation, and 
came to Broome county, where he died in 1887. He married Lydia Crocker, and 
they had four children, three now living. James H. Amsbry was educated in the 
common schools, is a farmer and owns fifty acres about four miles from Bingham- 
ton. In politics he is a Republican and served as assessor six years. In 1857 he 
married Mary, daughter of Ebenezer B. Greene. Ebenezer B. Greene was born in 




THOMAS L. DUNHAM, 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 



953 



Dryden and died in Binghamton, August 22, 1871; his wife was Ellis Spendley, born 
in England in 1810. To Mr. and Mrs. Amsbry were born three children: Fannie, 
wife of Lewis Ball of Pennsylvania, and have four children ; William, married Clara 
Parsons, and have two children; and Fred S., who resides at home. 



Bertine, Robert I., p. o. Lestershire. was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., July 23, 
1877. His father, R. D. Bertine, was a native of Dutchess county, and was engaged 
in the grocery business ; was also postmaster for about twenty years. He married 
Corolie, daughter of Amos Rowe, and are the parents of Louis B., Gertrude M. and 
Robert I. Robert I. Bertine was educated in Binghamton High School. He mar- 
ried Clara Schoonmaker of Lestershire. For four years Mr. Bertine has been a 
member of the Independent Hose Co. He is one of the enterprising men of Lester- 
shire and a man of sterling integrity. 



Whitaker, Sylvester S. , p. o. Port Crane, was born in Bradford, Pa , in 1829, a son 
of Clark and Catharine (Beardsley) Whitaker. Clark Whitaker came to Broome 
county about 1869 and died in 1887 ; his wife is now living at the age of ninety-five 
years. Sylvester Whitaker owned about 200 acres of land in Broome county and 
died there in 1898. He was married twice, first to Osee McKeeby, by whom he had 
five children, three now living, viz., F. L. Whitaker of Binghamton; Rev. A. H. 
Whitaker of Kingston, Pa., and Matthew C, a farmer of the town of Binghamton. 
Mrs. Whitaker died February 19, 1887, and in 1888 he married Adelia Sagendorff, by 
whom he had two sons: Sylvester, jr., and Lloyd B. In politics Mr. Whitaker was 
a Republican, and he and his wife were members of the High Street M. E. Church 
of Binghamton. He held most of the offices in the church. He assisted in buildmg 
the High Street Church and also the Tabernacle at Binghamton. 



Butler, Charles S., M. D., was born in ColesviUe, March 29, 1870, a son of Dr. 
Andrew J., son of Stephen W. Butler, a native of Chatham, N. Y., who came to 
Binghamton about 1866, and now lives at Oquago, aged ninety-five years; he was a 
Congregational minister; and his wife was Mary Nesbit, by whom he had four chil- 
dren, one now living. Dr. Andrew J. Butler was born in Roxbury, N. Y., April 18, 
1832, educated at Roxbury Seminary, and was graduated from Bellevue Medical 
College. He then came to Oquago, where he had a very successful practice. He 
was an active Republican and served as health officer for some years. He was a 
member of I. O. O. F. and I. O. R. M. He married Mary J. Booth; they had five 
children, all now living; and by a former wife he had one child. Dr. Butler died 
May 4, 1896. Dr. Charles S. Butler was educated at Windsor High School and stud- 
ied medicine with his father; he was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 
1895, taking a course at New York Polyclinic in 1899, and began his practice at 
Nineveh, N. Y., where he has had a very successful practice. Dr. Butler is an active 
Republican; is a member of Alton Lodge No. 360, F. & A. M. ; Vallonia Chapter 
No. 80, R. A. M. ; a member of Oquago Tribe No. 9, I. O. R. M., and of the Beta 
Chapter of the Phi Sigma Kappa. His wife was Jessie L. Bushnell. 

Crane, George W., was born in New York city, July 4, 1845, a son of Ryerson W., 



954 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

and grandson of Jonathan Crane, a native of Elizabeth, N. J., who came to the town 
of Vestal, N. Y., in a very early day. Jonathan owned a large tract of land and in 
an early day was owner of a ferry called Crane's Ferry; he also conducted an exten- 
sive lumber business. In politics he was a Democrat and served as justice of the 
peace. Ryerson W. Crane was born in Vestal, and moved to Elizabeth, N. J., when 
a young man, where he learned the carriage making trade. He then engaged in the 
railroad business for some years and later returned to Vestal and engaged in the 
manufacture- of carriages, which he was engaged in until his death. He was a 
Democrat in politics and served as town clerk for several years. He married Amelia 
A. Woodhull, by whom he had two children; Esther A. (deceased), and George W. 
George W. Crane was reared in Vestal and educated in the common schools; he was 
graduated from the Albany Normal College and followed teaching for twenty-eight 
years. He was professor of physics and physiology and hygiene in the Polytechnic 
Institute of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; in the meantime he took a course of medicine, and was 
duly graduated. He was also general manager, treasurer and secretary for the Gold 
Cup Mining and Smelting Co. of 89 Water street, New York city. In 1897, Mr. 
Crane's health failing, he resigned this position and came to Vestal and is at present 
looking after his property here, consisting of houses and lands, also the Vestal 
Steam Mills. Mr. Crane also has considerable interests in Greater New York. He 
married Emma L. Semon of New York city; they had three children: Florence W. , 
Louise A. and Adaline S. In politics Mr. Crane is a Republican, and supervisor of 
his town. At the age of twenty-one Mr. Crane became a Mason and was made a 
member of Round Hill Lodge No. 53, F. & A. M., of Union, N. Y. 



Lathrop, Mrs. Huldah E. , daughter of Alfred Jennings and Hannah Squires, and 
granddaughter of Seth Jennings and Hannah Balch, was born in May, 1831. From 
a record written by Seth Jennings the following data are taken: Seth Jennings, born 
May 26, 1760; married, November 24, 1785, Hannah Balch, who was born October 8, 
1765. They had children as follows: (1) Alfred, born November 23, 1786; (3) Rufus, 
born January 30, 1789; (3) Betsey, born May 23, 1791; (4) Harry, born August 12, 
1794; (5) Patty, born May 26, 1799, died June 18, 1814; (6) Linda, born July 26, 1804; 
(7) Seth, born September 11. 1820. Of this family Alfred Jennings (father of Mrs. 
Lathrop) married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth Lawson, who bore him these 
children: (1) Patty, who married a Mr. Butterfield and had children Elizabeth, Fay- 
ette, John, Lucy and Alfred; (2) Orlando, who married Harriet Sessions and had 
children Esther (wife of Charles Taylor) Frederick (married Mary Bloomer and had 
children Carrie and Orlando); (3) Letitia (married Mr. Knickerbocker, had four 
children) ; (4) Philander (married Ellen Hart and had one child, Carrie). The second 
wife of Alfred Jennings was Harriet Squires and their children were: (1) Henry 
(married Martha Pickney and had three children, James, Matty and Purdy); (2) 
Huldah (the subject of this sketch) ; (3) Dan R. (married Emily Luce and had chil- 
dren Emma, Ida and Frank) ; (4) George (married Sarah Mackey and had two chil- 
dren, Cora and Bertha); (5) Sarah (married Edwin Burgess and had children Cather- 
ine and Clara). Mrs. Huldah E. Lathrop has been twice married. Her first hus- 
band was Jirah P. Spencer, born in Cortland county, June 13, 1819, married Huldah 
E. Jennings in 1850, who bore him three children as follows: (1) Louvet D. (born 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 955 

September 20, 1852, married Rosena Youugs on April 19, 1875, and had two chil- 
dren, Fred and Eddie; married, second, Jennie Phillips and had four children, Del- 
phine, Arvine, Grace and Jennie); (2) Maiden R. (born August 30, 1855, married 
Hannah Greves and had three children, Jennie, Clarence and Lelia); (3) Julia S. 
(born November 27, 1863, married Andrew Jennings and had two sons Glenworth 
and Spencer E.) Jirah P. Spencer died November 2, 1876. He was a prominent 
man in his town, being justice of the peace several years and an active member of 
the M. E. church in which he held various offices and was in every respect a worthy 
citizen. In 1883 Mrs. Huldah E. Spencer (the subject) was married to Ezra Lathrop, 
an extensive dealer in live stock and the owner of 300 acres of land. Mr. Lathrop 
died in 1892, aged seventy-six years. 



Bosworth, William J , was born in Triangle, November 28, 1870, a son of George 
G., and grandson of James Bosworth, who lived and died in the town of German, 
Chenango county, N. Y. George G. was born in the town of German and came to 
Triangle, where he practiced medicine for a short time, then went to Cortland 
county, where he died in January, 1873. He married Lucy E., daughter of William 
W. Barnes, a son of Woodruff Barnes, a pioneer of Triangle, where he came in 1803. 
Wdliam W. Barnes married for his first wife Rh^da Jackson, daughter of Benjamin 
Jackson, and granddaughter of Comfort Jackson, a pioneer of the town of Greene. 
William J. Bosworth was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He 
follows general farming, having a farm of seventy acres near Triangle village. 
November 28, 1893, Mr. Bosworth married Margaret Terwilliger, of Chenango Forks; 
they have three children, William H., Hazel L. and Helen E. 



Zimmer, Delmer S., p. o. Lisle, was born in Newark Valley, Tioga county, N. Y., 
March 12, 1867. He attended the common schools in his native town and subse- 
quently attended the Newark Valley High School, and the Cortland Normal School, 
from which he was graduated in the classical course in June, 1891. He taught the 
common schools two years before attending the Normal. In September, 1891, he 
assumed the principalship of Lisle academy, where he remained five years. About 
five years ago he became interested in the creamery business, and now owns and runs 
two creameries, and averages 18,000 pounds of milk daily for the spring and summer 
months The style of his business is the Excelsior Creamery Co. His reputation 
for making a fine article of butter will not exaggerate the business; his calls are 
greater than the supply. Mr. Zimmer is a self-made man. starting for himself with- 
out a cent and acquiring a competency. His paternal grandfather was born m Ger- 
many and his maternal grandparents were English. He inherits the unflinching 
tenacity of the German and fine executive ability of the Livingstons of Connecticut, 
one of whom signed that immortal document the Declaration of Independence. The 
genealogical records, paternal and maternal follow: father and mother still living 
aged fifty-uine (only three days difference in their ages), residing at Newark Valley, 

^Lrnal Grandfather, Henry Zimmer, born April!, 1804; Mary Potter, his wife, 
born February 28. 1804; united in marriage December 25. 1824. Children: Sally Maria 
born May 2, 1826; Hannah Eliza, born December 4, 1827; Esseck, born August 7, 



956 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

1839; Peter A., born June 1, 1831; Ezra G., born February 25, 1833; Miner S., born 
November 14, 1834; Nelson M. , born February 17, 1837; Daniel, born April 28, 1839; 
Seymour E. (father of the subject), born December 3, 1840; Clarinda, born May 13, 
1844; Alanson and Alonzo (twins), born April 27, 1847; and John Martin, born Au- 
gust 5, 1848. 

Father, Seymour E. Zimmer, born December 3, 1840; Esther D. Whittemore, 
his wife, born November 29, 1840; united in marriage January 6, 1863. Children: 
Sherman, born January 4, 1865; Delmer S., born March 12, 1867; and Edward, 
born August 7, 1870. 

Maternal great-great-grandfather, John Livingston, born April 23, 1768; Magda- 
line, his wife, born November 14, 1777. Children: Jacob Livingston, born June 10, 
1796; Sally, born November 2, 1797; Peter, born November 11, 1799; Caty, born 
December 17, 1801; Anna, born April 8, 1803; John, born February 28 1805; Polly; 
William, born May 24, 1810; Hannah, born June 1, 1812; Christiana, born August 
27, 1814; James, born December 20, 1816; Michael, born February 1, 1819; and Cor- 
nelius, born June 19, 1821. 

Maternal great-grandfather, Peter Livingston, born November 11, 1799; Christi- 
ana Becker, his wife, born November 7, 1799. Children: Catherine, born Septem- 
ber 28, 1818; Peter, born September 20, 1820; John, born January 26, 1825; Margaret, 
born March 30. 1827; Hannah, born July 25, 1829; Chancelor, born April 22, 1832; 
Elizabeth, born October 8, 1834; Margaret, born November 11, 1823; George, born 
May 17, 1837; William, born January 28, 1840; and Anna, born January 6, 1843. 

Maternal grandfather, William Whittemore, born June 9, 1816; Catherine Livings- 
ton, his wife, born September 28, 1818, united in marriage February 20, 1840. Chil- 
dren: Esther D., born November 29, 1840: Edgar, born April 2, 1843; Hannah, born 
June 14, 1846; John, born July 11, 1848; Maryette, born July 16, 1851; James, born 
December 22, 1853; Olive, born May 13, 1856; Mark, born July 10, 1858; and Octa- 
via, born January 3, 1863. 



Hill, William Henry, Lestershire, N. Y., was born in Plains, Pa., March 27, 1877. 
His parents are the Rev. W. J. Hill, of the Wyoming M. E. Conference District, and 
Elizabeth (Lowden) Hill. 

Mr. Hill was educated in the schools of Binghamton, passing through the various 
grades. In 1897 he was appointed assistant postmaster at Lestershire, which place 
he resigned to attend more pressing duties of a political nature, as he is, at this 
writing (February, 1900), secretary of the Republican County organization, president 
of the Young Men's Republican Club of Broome county, and a county committee- 
man, representing the town of Union. He is also a member of various fraternal or- 
ganizations:— Otseningo Lodge, F. & A. M., Golden Sceptre Lodge, I. O. O. F.. 
Willawanna Tribe, I. O. R. M., and a Knight of the Maccabees. An an active 
member of Lestershire's fire department, he has held several offices in Independent 
Hose Co. No. 1. and is one of that thriving village's representative men, of sterling 
integrity, having been elected president of the village soon after reaching his major- 
ity, defeating his opponent, a business man of large manufacturing interests, by a 
majority of 267, the poll showing a very large vote. In December, 1899, he became 
the proprietor and editor of the " Record." the only paper at present published in 




W. H. HILL. 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 957 

the village, and has pushed its circulation and influence to the front with rapid 
strides. As a partisan, he is a Republican in politics, though exceedingly liberal in 
his views upon most local matters, aud is an active worker in that party as well as a 
public speaker of recognized force and ability. It is of such component material 
that Lestershire's citizens consists, and accounts, in a measure, for her prosperity and 
enterprise. 



Tamkins, Edward C, was born in Fishkill, Dutchess county, N. Y., January 21, 
1840, a son of John and Amy (Harris) Tamkins, who came to Binghamton about 18r)0 
with their family of four children, Edward C. , John, jr., Charles H. and Mary Jane. 
John Tamkins, sr. , m early life was a superintendent of the Rockyglen Cotton fac- 
tory at Glenburn ; after he moved to Binghamton he worked in the Empire works 
and in 1851 he purchased an interest in the Conklin Flouring Mills and in 1859 
formed the John Tamkins Co., dealers in meats and provisions. In 1884 Mr. Tamkins 
retired from active life ; he died in 1896. Edward C. Tamkins was educated in the 
common schools of the town of Conklin and Binghamton academy. He lived with 
his parents until 1858, when he went to Newburg as a clerk in a store, remaining 
there until 1860, then returned to Conklin and entered the employ of his father. In 
1883 he engaged in the general mercantile business at Conklin, which he has fol- 
lowed to the present time. In April, 1861, Mr. Tamkins married Mary, daughter of 
Jeremiah Bull; they had five children: Carrie, wife of Christopher Banta (deceased), 
Norris C, Edward C, Nettie and Mary, both deceased. Later Mr. Tamkins mar- 
ried Emma, daughter of Thomas J. and Annie (Perry) Earle. Mr. Tamkins has 
taken an active interest in town and county affairs; has been postmaster, and served 
as justice of the peace for sixteen years. He enlisted in Capt. George S. Redfield's 
Independent Co. and was assigned to the 137th N. Y. Vols. ; he was discharged with 
his regiment June 9, 1865. He was a member of Henry J. Bayless Post of Conklin 
and later of Bartlett Post. He is a member of Winona Tribe of Red Men and is also 
a Mason. 



Mosher, Edwin, was born December 24, 1840, a son of Benjamin and Sarah 
(Stevens) Mosher, she a daughter of Isaac Stevens of Schenectady county, who for 
the last few years of his life was a resident of the town of Kirkwood. Benjamin 
Mosher had twelve children: Mary, Jane, Henry, Augusta, Edwin, Emily, Cornelia, 
Ezra, Phillip, Isaac, Albert and Walter, all of whom were residents of Broome 
county. Edwin was educated in the common schools of the town of Conklin and 
Binghamton. His early life was spent with his parents, attending school winters 
and assisting on the farm summers. When about twenty-one years of age he started 
in life for himself as a farm laborer. December, 1862, he enlisted in the 16th Bat- 
tery, N. Y. Volunteers, and served for three months, when he was discharged for 
disability, and in December, 1863, he enlisted as a private in the 137th N. Y. Vols., 
was afterward transferred to the 102d and discharged July 21, 1865. July 14, 1868, 
Mr. Mosher married Julia M., a daughter of Cyrus and Caroline (Hudson) Wilcox; 
they have three children: Emily Louise, wife of Charles P. Tobey; Cyrus WW. and 
Thomas Hudson, all born on the farm where Mr. Mosher now lives. Mr. Mosher has 
always taken an active interest in town and county affairs, has served his town as 



958 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

highway commissioner, and is now serving his fifth term as overseer of the poor. He 
is interested in schools and education, having been connected with the'school many 
years as its trustee. Mrs. Mosher's great-grandfather, Abner Wilcox, served as a 
private in Capt. John King's company in the Revolutionary war, enlisting August 9, 
1777, at Killingworth, Conn., in the Sixth Troop, 2d Regiment of Light Dragoons. 
He moved to Cayuga county, N. Y., in 1800, where he lived the remainder of his 
days. 



Buell, George J., was born on the farm where he now resides, January 9, 18(30, a 
son of Albert and Caroline (Johnson) Buell, the youngest of six children as follows: 
Mary C, Lydia M. , Ella M., Charles, Augustus and George J. The girls were born 
in Chenango county and the remaining children in Broome county. The Buell fam- 
ily are of Welsh descent; they moved from Wales to England and were soldiers un- 
der Cromwell. Two brothers immigrated to this country by the name of William 
and Ralph; William settled in New Jersey and Ralph in Stonington, Conn. William 
raised a large family of children, one of whom was killed at the battle of Ticonderoga, 
and Elijah settled in Dutchess county about 1804. Elijah was born in 1797 and 
came to King's Settlement about 1804, with his earthly possessions, which consisted 
of a rifle, ox team, a pair of saddle bags and a horse; he died in 1867. Albert was a 
son of Elijah and Charlotte (King) Buell, who had nine children: Lydia, Albert, 
Elijah, Simon, Betsey Ann, Charlotte, Charles, William Riley and George. George 
J. Buell spent his early life on the farm with his parents, assisting his father sum- 
mers and attending school winters. When about twenty-three years of age he 
started in life for himself. In 1883 his father died ; his mother having died January 
31, 1860. In 1886 he purchased the home farm, and married Jennie H., daughter of 
Joshua and Eliza Bevier; they have one son, Albert J. Mr. Buell takes an active 
interest in town and county affairs and is also interested in school and educational 
work. 



English, Charles F. and George H. — Charles F. English was born in the town of 
Windsor, December 4, 1851, a son of Albert and Cornelia Bedient English, whose 
children are Ella, born July 8, 1853; Clarence, born August 4, 1854; Lucius L., born 
June 22, 1856; George H., born September 7, 1858; Dewitt Clinton, born August 16, 
1860; Martin L., born September 18, 1862; Carrie M.. born November 16, 1864; 
W^illis M., born April 5, 1867; Kate B., born June 6, 1868, and May, born December 
30, 1874, all natives of the town of Windsor. Albert English was a son of Nathaniel 
and Betsey English, who came from the town of Hunter, Greene county, N. Y., 
about 1835 ; their children were William, Abraham, Daniel, Albert, Pinkney, Nancy. 
Julia and Amanda. Albert died January 4, 1884, at sixty-one years of age. Charles 
F. Enghsh spent his early life on the farm with his parents. He was educated in 
the common schools of Windsor and started in life for himself when twenty-one 
years of age. March 29, 1888, he married Blanche, daughter of Almond Marshall 
and Harriet Russell ; they had one son, Roy, who died at the age of eight months. 
Almond Marshall died July 19, 1896, aged seventy-four years; his wife died Febru- 
ary 17, 1857. Mr. English is active in town and county affairs and has held most of 
the offices in Windsor; he is an active worker in the M. E. church of East Windsor. 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 959 

George H. English married, October 27, 1881, Emma A., daughter of Harvey and 
Mary (Doolittle) Doolittle; they have one son. Albert, and one adopted daughter. 
Leona. Mr. English is active in politics and was appointed deputy postmaster Feb- 
ruary 1, 1888, at East Windsor; he was appointed postmaster September 1, 180.5. 
He conducts a general merchandise store at East Windsor, which he opened June 
30, 1886; previous to that he carried on farming with his father. 



Pease, D. E., was born in the town of Windsor, August 17, 1859, a son of Edward 
and Catherine Chase Pease, whose children were Emily, Harlan, Delbert, Lucian 
and Laurie, wife of Foster Seabolt. Edward was a son of Isaac and Hannah Hall 
Pease, who came from Massachusetts with his family about 1826; their children were 
Lewis, Newell, William, Emma and Edward. Edward was engaged in buying and 
selling stock, mostly cattle and sheep, which he shipped to outside markets. Del- 
bert Pease spent his early life on the farm with his parents, assisting his father sum- 
mers and attending school winters. When twenty one years of age he started in life 
for himself as a farm laborer with the Shaker Company, with whom he remained six 
years, then worked a farm on shares and in 1896 purchased the farm he now owns; 
he is also superintendent of the Thomas Crary farm, which is located near Damas- 
cus. April 2, 1882, Mr. Pease married Amelia, daughter of Grover and Mira Humis- 
ton of Windsor. Mr. Pease is active in school and educational work and for the past 
three years has been trustee of the school. He attends the Windsor Presbyterian 
church, and is a member of the Windsor Lodge No. 442, F. & A. M. 



Sraethurst, Joseph, was born in Chorley, Lancashire, England, November 24, 1821, 
a son of Joseph, son of Richard Smethurst. His father was a cotton spinner and 
manufacturer, as also were his ancestors. Joseph Smethurst, the subject, was edu- 
cated in England and was a sailor when a young man. In 1845 he, with his wife, 
sailed from Liverpool, England, and arrived in New York, going from there to Al- 
bany, where Mr. Smethurst had a brother residing. After staying in Albany a short 
time he came to Chenango and bought the farm on which he now resides, at times 
adding to it. At present he owns 140 acres. February 28, 1843, Mr. Smethurst 
married Sarah Grimshaw, born June 6, 1820, in Chorley, Lancashire, England, and 
they lived together fifty-seven years. Mr. Smethurst is a Democrat and was the first 
town clerk of the present town of Chenango. He and his wife attend the M. E. 
church; he was superintendent of the Sunday school for thirty-five years and his 
wife has been a Sunday school scholar and teacher for upwards of seventy years. 
Mr. Smethurst's mother was Miss Lonsdale, daughter of Dewhurst Lonsdale, farmer 
and tanner. 



Burghardt, Andrew L., was born in Berkshire, N. Y., July 1, 1851, a son of John 
and Huldah J. (Clark) Burghardt, and grandson of Peter Burghardt, a pioneer of 
Lisle, who came from Massachusetts, where his father had settled after his immigra- 
tion from Germany. John Burghardt was born in Lisle, where he spent his life, and 
held the confidence and esteem of his fellow townsmen, being repeatedly elected to 
offices of trust; his wife was Huldah J. Clark, born in Orange county, N. Y. John 
Burghardt died March 5, 1897, aged seventy-nine years, and his wife in 1854. Their 



960 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

family consisted of two children : Adeline (deceased), born in 1849, wife of Wilber 
Rowland, by whom he had three children, Ella, Jane and Anna, the last two de- 
ceased; and Andrew L., the subject of this sketch. Mr. Burghardt received a com- 
mon school education and attended the Cortland Normal School. At the age of 
twenty he began teaching school winters, which vocation he followed several years. 
In 1873 he bought the farm he now occupies, but continued teaching winters and at- 
tending to his farm summers, until 1895, when he assumed the position of teacher of 
the intermediate department of the Lisle Academy, which he still fills. He has been 
assessor ten years, and is a member, and at present master of Riverside Grange 
No. 507, of which is wife is also a member. On February 1, 1879, Mr. Burghardt 
was married to Debbie J. Clark, who was born in Center Lisle in 1861. They have 
four children: Clark C, born 1880; Wilmot H., born 1883; Roy, born 1890; and Ad- 
drew, born 1892. 



White, Le Roy S., is of New England stock. His grandfather and great-grand- 
father were in Washington's army. He was born in West Hartford, Conn., April 5, 
1841, a son of Seneca and Elmira (Wilbur) White, and was educated in the common 
schools. He learned the trade of machinist, and for many years was superintendent 
of carriage hardware manufactories. In 1883 he came to Union with two other gen- 
tlemen and started the Union Forging Company, which, under their management, 
has been very successful, Mr. White serving as president of the company. He has 
been a trustee of the village, elder of the Presbyterian church for ten years and is a 
member of the Commandery of Knights Templar. Mr. White married Jennie L., 
daughter of Lemuel Elton, and are the parents of Charles E., Franklm and Lillian 
E. White. 



Todd, Hiram, was born in Delaware county, September 7, 1829, a son of John and 
grandson of Samuel Todd, who enlisted in the Revolutionary war when fifteen 
years of age, and at the close of the war moved to Ulster county, where he 
died at the age of 105 years. John Todd was born in Ulster county, N. Y., was 
a farmer and died in Delaware county; he married Zella Ballard, and they had 
eight children, six now living. Hiram Todd was reared on the farm and educated 
in the common schools. He followed farming and owned 143 acres of land. 
He made his own property and lived in Triangle twenty-five years. In 1850 he mar- 
ried Mary J. Morse, and they had two children: Emma E., of Rome, Pa., and Eber, 
deceased. Mrs. Todd died in 1854, and in 1857 Mr. Todd married Elsie Chamber- 
lain ; they had two children: Melvin and Edie. In politics Mr. Todd was a Demo- 
crat, and he and his family attended the M. E. church. Mr. Todd died on December 
30, 1899. 



Taft, Charles G., p. o. Triangle, was born in Triangle on the farm he owns, Au- 
gust 2, 1835, a son of Isaac, and grandson of Job Taft, who came from Schoharie 
county, and settled on the farm where Charles G. now lives. Isaac Taft was born 
in Schoharie county in 1807, and came to Triangle with his parents; he married 
Ruth Ann Spencer, and they had four children: Mary J., Job, Charles and George; 
Mr. Taft died in 1892 and his wife in 1874. Charles G. was reared on the farm and 




LEROY S. WHITE. 



t 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. Of.l 

educated in the common schools. He owns 300 acres of land and follows general 
farming. In 1867 Mr. Taft married Ellen Whitmarsh, daughter of Luther and Ma- 
linda (Winchell) Whitmarsh : their children are Lucy M., Luther E., Lottie M., John 
H., Floyd L., Clari.ssa E., Verna M. and Sarah I., all now living. 



Hotchkiss, C. W., p. o. Triangle, was born in Chenango county, N. Y., October 
14, 1859, a son of George W., and grandson of Amos Hotchkiss, a pioneer of Smith- 
ville. George W. was born in Smithville in June, 1819, and died m Chenango 
county, May 26, 1892; he married Almeda Shaddock, and they had five children, 
four now living. C. W. Hotchkiss was educated in the common schools of Triangle. 
He has a farm of ninety-five acres and follows general farming. In politics Mr. 
Hotchkiss is a Democrat and has taken an active interest in his party. February 3, 
1886, he married Mary E. Vroman. They have no children. 



Johnson, F. N., p. o. Whitney Point, was born in Lisle, July 29, 1819, a son of 
John Johnson, born in Middlesex county, Conn., in 1745, and was a captain in the 
Revolutionary war. John Johnson came to Broome county, N. Y., in 1802, and 
bought a large tract of land, where he lived until his death in 1834. He married 
Clarissa Parker, born in Wallingford, Conn., June 22, 1779, by whom he had two 
children ; by a former marriage he had six sons and three daughters. F. N. Johnson 
was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He followed farming 
until 1875, since which time he has lived retired. He at present owns 300 acres of 
land. September 19, 1849, he married Sophronia B. Rogers, born in Upper Lisle, 
June 17, 1825. and they had three children: Frederick L., born June 23, 1850, a 
farmer and has charge of the farm; Charles M., born May 13, 1852, a merchant and 
farmer m Castle Creek; and Chester, born January 10, 1860, traveling salesman. 



Wilcox, F. T., was born in Chenango county in 1835, a son of Thurston Wilcox, 
who moved to Cortland county and for many years was a successful farmer there; in 
1863 he removed to Marathon and lived a retired life until his death at the age of 
eighty-eight years; his wife was Lydia Townsend of New Hampshire. F. T. Wil- 
cox was educated in the common schools. In politics he is a Democrat, and while 
living in Cortland county he held numerous town offices, which he filled with satis- 
faction to the people and credit to himself. In 1873 he. came to Whitney Point, 
where, in 1870, he had bought 225 acres of land, cornering into the village. Of this 
land he has sold considerable for village lots, as well as other small parcels, retaining 
a homestead of forty acres, where he now resides. He also owns the Postoffice block_ 
which he built in 1897, and several houses and lots and other property, located in 
Whitney Point and Marathon. His time is fully occupied in looking after his various 
interests. He has been twice married ; his first wife was Matilda Salisbury, who 
died leaving one son, Leroy. His second wife was Ida Smith, who has borne him 
one daughter, Mary L. Mr. Smith thinks he is an exception to the general rule, in 
that he has made a success at many different kinds of business, but would not advise 
every one to try the same methods. 



Watrous, Samuel B., was born in Connecticut, September 19, 1820, a son of David 
61 



963 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

Watrous, born in Connecticut, and who came to Broome county in 1823, settling in 
Colesville, where he lived and- died ; he married Patty Church, and they had eight 
children, three now living. Samuel B. Watrous was educated in the common schools 
and is a farmer; he has made his own property and is one of the leading farmers of 
the town. He has been twice married; his first wife was Rosetta A. Merrill, by 
whom he had three children : Violet (deceased), Floretta, wife of Seba A. Holcomb, 
and Libbie (deceased). His second wife was Eunice L. Parker, who bore him one 
daughter, Libbie E., wife of William A. Way ; their children are Samuel L. and Flor- 
etta W. 



Hunt, C. B., was born in the town of Fenton, March 27, 1848, a son of James D. 
Hunt, born in New Hampshire in 1818, a son of Charles and Mary (Ford) Hunt. 
James D. married Loretta Maben, born in Greene county, in 1817; they had two 
children: C. B., and Mary D., who married John Sanford. James D. Hunt was one 
of the leading farmers of his day, owning 260 acres where C. B. Hunt now lives and 
also owned other farms. In politics he was a Democrat and was assessor of his 
town. Mr. Hunt's maternal grandfather, Benjamin Maben, served in the war of 
1812. C. B. Hunt was educated in the common schools and is a farmer. He owns 
about 140 acres of land. In 1874 he married Elizabeth Hill of Delaware county, and 
they had five children: Retta M., Martha (deceased), Bert and Bertha (twins), and 
Elizabeth. Mr. Hunt is member of Chenango Tribe No. 53, I. O. R. M., has been a 
member of the Grange and was secretary for some time. 



Weaver, Fred L. , was born in the town of Sanford, September 7, 1853. Hisfather, 
C. W. Weaver, was born in Fonda and was a farmer. He enlisted in August, 1862, 
at Binghamton, in Co. E, 109th N. Y., and was killed July 2, 1864, in front of Peters- 
burg. Mr. Weaver married Harriet E. Burrows; their children are Charles M., Ella 
Weaver Marshall and Nettie Weaver Head. Fred L. Weaver was educated in the 
common schools and in the fall of 1870 began clerking in a clothing store. March 1, 
1891, he engaged in business for himself aud is conducting the leading gents furnish- 
ing and clothing store in the town. He is a Mason and Knight Templar. 



Minor, Albert P., was born in Coventry, Chenango county, January 11, 1830, a son 
of George and Lydia M. (Wattles) Minor. His father was engaged in the lumber 
business in Deposit for a number of years, then returned to Coventry, where he died. 
Albert P. was educated in the common schools and Oxford academy. He was en- 
gaged in a hardware store in Deposit for four years and then became a partner in 
the firm of Minor & Smith. He was supervisor of the town of Tompkins and has 
been a member of the school board for twenty-five years; was elected president of 
the village in 1898 and re-elected in 1899. Mr. Minor married Emily L., daughter 
of John Ogden; thay have one son, Clinton S. , who is engaged in the hardware 
business with his father. Clinton S. married Ida S. Dean, daughter of John P. Dean 
of Deposit. 



Post, Stephen, sr., was a native of Orange county, and was born in 1804, and was 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 9G3 

married to Louisa Bull, his first wife, to whom were born eight children, viz. : Wick- 
ham, Daniel, David, Stephen, Charles, Joseph. Sarih and Mary. His wife died and 
he next married Hannah Bull and their children were MiHcent and Emily. He 
moved to Broome county in 1849, where he built a saw-mill and engaged in the lum- 
ber business. He died February 14, 1885. Stephen B. Post, jr., was born June 22, 
1834, was educated in the common schools and Binghamton Semmary. He bought 
the hotel at Deposit which he conducted for six years. He then went to California 
and engaged in the mining business; in 1864 he returned to Deposit and engaged in 
the lumber business and is now running a saw-mill and farm. He married Frances, 
daughter of James Johnson, and they have six children: Edith, Mattie, Kittie J., 
Henry. Emily and Olga. 

Barnum, Silas G., was born in the town of Union, May 21, 1846. He was a son of 
Lucas Barnum, who was a native of Schoharie county. His mother was Lucas Bar- 
num's second wife; her maiden name was Maria H. McCoUum. He has a brother, 
William H., and a sister, Lydia A., also a half brother, Enoch, and two half sisters, 
Melissa and Lucy M. He was educated in the common schools. On September 6, 
1863, he enlisted in Co. E, 50th N. Y. Vol. Engineers, and was discharged at Fort 
Barry, Va., June 18, 1865. He was married September 4, 1867, to Jane, daughter of 
Samuel E. Gallup. They had two daughters; one died in infancy, the other, Leolie 
M., died November 13, 1884, aged sixteen years. He was a farmer until 1884, when 
he engaged in the mercantile business with G. W. Bixby at North Sanford, and in 
1888 bought his partner's interest. In 1894 he sold the business and purchased of 
Mrs. M. L. Kniskern the insurance business of J. W. Kniskern, deceased, which 
business he is still conducting. In 1875 he was elected superintendent of the M. E. 
Sunday school and is now serving his twenty-fifth year as superintendent. In Feb- 
ruary, 1899, he was elected town clerk, which office he now holds. 



McNaught, James C. , was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, December 12, 
1822, a son of George and Margaret (Barnhill) McNaught. Mr. McNaught was edu- 
cated in the common schools and then learned the blacksmith trade. After three 
years he engaged in railroading and was engineer for thirty-one years on the Penn- 
sylvania State Road and the Erie. In 1862 Mr. McNaught came to Deposit and in 
1877 began the grocery business in which he is now engaged. He married Elizabeth 
Hagaman of Columbus, Pa. ; their children are Chester H., who is an engineer on 
the Delaware division of the Erie; Jay G., of Brooklyn, and Edith. Mrs. McNaught 
died in January, 1882. Mr. McNaught is one of Deposit's representative business 
men and a man of sterling integrity. 



Adams, John B., was born in Barker, January 21, 1836, a son of Amos and grand- 
son of Joseph, born in Connecticut and came to Barker in 1803, where he died in 
1853. He ran away from home to join the Revolutionary war, but after serving 
fourteen dajswas wanted by the army to grind feed, his father being a miller at 
Pomfret, Conn. Amos Adams was born in Pomfret, Conn., May 17, 1793, and when 
ten years old came to Barker, where he died in 1877. He married Katie Barr, who 
died in Barker in 1839, leaving three children; he married second, Susan Seaman, 



964 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

who had two children (both deceased), and third, Roxie Tompkins, who bore him 
seven children, two now living. John B. Adams has a farm of 235 acres and carries 
on general farming. In October, 1861, he married Sarah M., daughter of Richard 
Shevaher; they had seven children: Richard J., born July 9, 1862; Alice G., born 
February 22, 1864, married James Walter; Roswell H., born in 1866; Kate E., born 
March 22, 1868, married Delos Walter; Polly E., wife of Archy Thornton; Willie L., 
died April 10, 1890, aged sixteen years; and Cora N., who died April 13, 1890, aged 
fourteen years. 



Lincoln, George D., was born in Massachusetts. June 5, 1850, a son of Daniel and 
Cemantha Kenfield Lincoln. George D. Lincoln was educated in the common 
schools and then engaged in machinist business. In 1883 he came to Broome county 
and.estabhshed the Union Hardware Co., which company he is now serving as treas- 
urer. Mr. Lincoln married Adaline, daughter of Minor Briggs of Connecticut, and 
they are the parents of George H., Henry D. , Edward C, Warren N. and Leslie. 
Mr. Lincoln is one of Union's representative business men, of sterling integrity and 
has always been identified with the best interests of his town. He is now serving in 
his sixth year on the board of education. 



Whitney, J. B., was born in Triangle, N. Y., December 19, 1835, a son of Dexter, 
and grandson of Asa Whitney, who was a pioneer of Triangle. Dexter Whitney was 
born in Triangle and was a farmer; he married Eliza Day; they had thirteen chil- 
dren, four now living. J. B. Whitney was educated in the common schools, and 
carries on the old homestead farm of seventy acres. He married Emerett Brewer, 
who bore him three children: one died in infancy, Flora M., and Ernest. Flora M. 
married C. H. Turner of Binghamton, N. Y. 



Pease, Clarence, p. o. Whitney Point, was born in Killawog, Broome county, N. Y. , 
June 3, 1872, a son of Sidney, son of William, son of Isaac and Hannah (Hall) Pease. 
The children of Isaac were Lewis, born March 22, 1804, died January 1, 1836; Newell, 
born May 28, 1806, died January 22, 1881 ; Hannah E., born May 9, 1810, died Septem- 
ber 24, 1830; William, born January 28, 1815, died September 23, 1894; Edward, born 
August 28, 1819, died December 22, 1874. William Peasecameto Windsor from Massa- 
chusetts and then to Barker; his wife was Eliza Wait, who died in Barker, April 30, 
1896 ; they had seven children. William Pease built the first mill in Barker. Sidney Pease 
was born on the homestead in Barker and educated in the common schools. He was also 
a saw mill man and now resides in Marathon ; his wife was Emma J. Foster, by whom 
he had four children, all now living. In politics Mr. Pease is a Republican and has held 
office of highway commissioner for three years. He is a member of the I. O. O, F. 
Clarence Pease was educated in the common schools, and followed carting at Whit- 
ney Point for some years, and for five years has followed farming on the old home- 
stead of sixty-seven acres of land. November 17, 1890, Mr. Pease married Lizzie 
Hill, daughter of James D. Hill, and they have one son, Roy S., born June 3, 1892. 



Slack, W. H., was born in Chenango, Broome county, N. Y., July 23, 1852, a son 
of Nathan, son of James Slack, a pioneer of Nanticoke. Nathan Slack was born in 




GEORGE D. LINCOLN. 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 965 

Broome county, June 25, 1812, and died in Nanticoke, July 17, 1891; he married 
Phoebe Johnson, born May 10, 1822, and died December 30, 1862; they had six chil- 
dren, two now living. W. H. Slack was educated in the common schools and now is 
engaged in farming, having a farm of 134 acres in Barker. July 1, 1877, Mr. Slack 
married Roxsa Adams, daughter of Amos Adams, by whom he had three children : 
Hetty, Mamie and Charlie. In politics Mr. Slack is a Republican and was collector 
one year, assessor six years and is now serving his fifth year as highway commis- 
sioner. He IS a member of Whitney Point Lodge No. 795, F. & A. M., and Red 
Men at Castle Creek ; also a member of Chiefman's League of Binghamton, N. Y. 
They attend the M. E. church. 



Atwater, Chester, p. o. Whitney Point, was born in Barker, May 31, 1821, a son of 
David and grandson of Jesse Atwater, who came to Barker in 1800. David Atwater 
was born in Washington county, town of Granville, June 14, 1777, and came to Bar- 
ker with his parents, and died here February 17, 1861 ; he married Mary McKinzy, 
born in 1784 and died in 1839. Chester Atwater was reared on a farm and educated 
in the common schools. He is a farmer by occupation and has seventy acres of land 
where he lives and 114 acres in another farm. In April, 1861, Mr. Atwater married 
Aura Eldridge, born in Barker, January 11, 1829, a daughter of Zenas and Diana 
(Heath) Eldridge. In politics Mr. Atwater is a Republican and has been assessor 
twelve years in succession. He has made his own property and besides the land in 
Barker has 100 acres in Cattaraugus county. 



Pease, Fred, p. o. Whitney Point, was born in Barker, March 30, 1862, a son of 
Lewis, and a grandson of Newell Pease, who came to Barker in 1825 from Massachu- 
setts, coming on foot from New York city. Lewis Pease was born in Barker in 1838 
and educated in the common so' wis. He was a carpenter by trade and a farmer; 
he married Eliza Rose, born in Windsor, Broome county. Mr. Pease died in 1896. 
Fred Pease was educated in the common schools and Binghamton Institute. He 
worked in a furniture store in Binghamton four years and in Syracuse three years, 
and now takes charge of the homestead of 248 acres, and has a dairy of twenty cows. 
On April 12, 1893, Mr. Pease married Lora Lull, and they had two children: Irene 
and Lewis H. In politics Mr. Pease is a Republican and has been inspector or clerk 
since the new ballot law came into effect. Mr. Pease is a member of Whitney 
Point Lodge No. 795, F. & A. M., and of Pocahontas Tribe No. 81, I. O. R. M. 

Hayes, Charles J., was born in Barker on the farm he now owns, July 3, 1850, a 
son of Augustine, son of Caleb Hayes, who came from Chenango county to Barker 
in a very early day, about 1813; he was a Baptist minister. He married Annie 
Cooke : they had twelve children. Augustine Hayes was born in Greene, Chenango 
county in 1807, and died in 1877. He married, first, Betsey Fuller, who bore him 
four children; second, Hannah Fairchild, who bore him two sons. Henry and George; 
and third, Marcia (Loomis) Doubleday ; they had three children: Charles J., Ella D 
and Idella C. Mr. Hayes was a Republican in politics. Charles J. is a farmer and 
owns seventy-six acres of land. In 1873 he married Mary R. Howland. who died in 
1874- in 1876 he married Arvilla Spencer, who died in 1879; and in 1880 he married 



966 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

Mrs. Mary J. (Peck) Staupfler; they have one son, Henry C. Mr. Hayes is a Repub- 
lican, served as highway commissioner for some years and is one of the present as- 
sessors. He is a member of the Baptist church of Castle Creek, N. Y. 



Alderman, Talcott, was born m Chenango, Broome county, May 17, 1832, a son of 
Bradley, son of Gad Alderman, who lived and died in Connecticut. The latter 
served in the Revolutionary war, enlisting when sixteen years old. Bradley Alder- 
man was born in Connecticut and came to Chenango in 1828, where he died in 1871, 
aged 75 years; his wife was Sarah, born in 1799, daughter of Judah Phelps, a soldier 
in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Alderman died October 7, 1894, aged 95; they had 
ten children, eight of whom are now living: B. J. Alderman, Castle Creek, aged 78; 
I. P., Castle Creek, aged 76; E. B., California, aged 74; Sarah A. Cunningham, 
Jones county, Iowa, aged 72; Amarett Hosmer, South wick, Mass., aged 66; Judson, 
Anamosa, Iowa, aged 64; Julia E. Rockwood, Castle Creek, aged 62, which is re- 
markable as longevity. E. B. Alderman, who at the breaking out of the Civil war 
was residing in Iowa, raised a company of volunteers, with whom he served until 
peace was declared. Talcott Alderman owns a farm of 111 acres and follows gen- 
eral farming. In politics he is a Republican, has been highway commissioner two 
years and is now serving as overseer of the poor. January 17, 1857, he married 
Mary J., daughter of Nelson and Nancy (Gaylord) Dunham; they had three children: 
Fred L., Ella E. and Minnie A. 



Smith, John, was born in Otsego county, a son of Ephraham and Betsey (Kimball) 
Smith, who had ten children: Daniel K., Emily, Sylvester, Putnam, Betsey, John, 
Benjamin, Franklin, Phoebe, and two others who died in infancy. John Smith was 
educated in the common schools of Otsego county, and when twenty one years of 
age he started in life for himself as a farmer, which occupation he has followed to the 
present time. Mr. Smith married Charlotte, daughter of Nathan Gardner ; they had 
three children: Carrie, wife of Fred Parsons, and Edwin, who lives on the same 
farm, and one deceased, Frank E., who died at the age of forty years. Mr. Smith 
came to Broome county in 1866 and settled near where he now lives, moving on to 
the farm he now occupies in 1869. He is actively interested in town and county 
affairs ; at present is assessor, serving his second term, and has also been highway 
commissioner. He also takes an interest in educational work and is a contributor to 
and supporter of the Kirkwood Christian Church. 



Bayless, Samuel, was born in the town of Conklin, before it was divided, July 25, 
1827, a son of Henry C. and Abigal (Berkalew) Bayless. Henry C. was a native of 
Trenton, N. J., and from there moved to Wilkes-Barre, Pa., then to Broome county. 
He was a son of Samuel and Helen Bayless, who came here with their family, which 
consisted of General John, Mrs. Cornelia Corbitt, Elizabeth, wife of Chester Rood, 
Amy, wife of Ezra Carrier, Annie, wife of Henry Vandewater, and Henry C. Sam- 
uel Bayless was educated in the old academy at Binghamton, and was associated 
with his father on the farm until his father's death ; he now follows farming and has 
a milk route. In 1858 Mr. Bayless married Matilda, daughter of David M. Langdon ; 
they had three children: Carrie, Ida, wife of John C. Freese of Montrose, Col., and 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 967 

one who died in infancy. Mr. Bayless married second, M. Adelia Chase, daughter 
of Adam Hays; they have three children: Henry A., Lillian A. and Ella M., wife of 
Robert Stuart. Mr. Bayless has been active in town and county affairs; he repre- 
sented his town on the board of supervisors in 1896 and 1897 and is at present asses- 
sor of the town of Kirkwood. He was justice of the peace twelve years, highway 
commissioner six years, and is also interested in school and educational work, hav- 
ing been connected with the school as trustee many terms. 



Watrous, John A., came to this county from Waterbury, Conn., about 1814, with 
his wife, Eunice Welton Watrous, and family of eight children. Their earthly pos- 
sessions consisted of a team of horses, a yoke of oxen and one sled. After consider- 
able hardships they arrived in the town of Colesville, where they purchased 100 acres 
of land. Their children were Ransom, Rintha, Laurie. Selden, William, Eunice, Eli 
W., John, Hiram, Sarah, Angeline, Polly, and two who died in infancy. Eli W. 
Watrous spent his early life with his parents, farming and clearing the land, and 
when fourteen years of age he worked as a laborer at $6 a month. When twenty- 
four years of age he married Jaue Olmstead, and in 1837 moved to Bing- 
hamton, where for eight years he was keeper of the county house. Their children 
were John H. and Marvin. He married second, Eliza Olmstead; their children were 
Smith B., Jennie, Jessie, Frank, Legrand and Eliza Jane. John H. Watrous was 
born in the city of Binghamton, September 18, 1837, and educated in the common 
schools of Broome county. His early life was spent with his parents, assisting his 
father on the farm summers and attending school winters. At eighteen years of age 
he started out as a laborer and school teacher. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. D, 109th 
Regt. Vols., and served until December, 1863, when he was transferred to Co. D. 
36th Regt. serving as a lieutenant in that company until January, 1865, when he 
was promoted to captain; he was then assigned to Co. F, 103d Regt., Colored, and 
served as judge advocate at the trial of James R. Duncan of Andersonville prison 
fame He was mustered out in May, 1866, and two weeks later his muster out was 
revoked- he received a commission as judge advocate and was sent to Raleigh, N. 
C and was then mustered out November 30, 1866. On March 9, 1870, he married 
Margaret daughter of David M. Langdon; they have had four children, two hving. 
Blanche and Jane, and two deceased, Marian and Hattie. After his marriage he 
worked his fathers farm on shares for nine years, then purchased the farm where he 
now resides He represented his town on the board of supervisors m 1890 and 1891 ; 
also has been town clerk. He takes an active interest in educational work; is a 
Mason and was a charter member of the Kirkwood Grange. 

Place, Andrew Hart, was born at Stanford. Dutchess county, on February 10, 1830. 
a son of Joseph and Sarah (Tompkins) Place, who had eleven children: Maria Amy^ 
Louisa, Sarah, Welcome, Margaret, Edwin, Nancy, John, Phoebe Ann and Andrew 
H. Andrew H. Place was educated in Dutchess county, and -^^^l^ f ^^^^f ^^ 
learned the trade of mason. On September 10, 1854, he was married to Catherme 
Wilbur, it Pleasant Valley, Dutchess county, and their first child, a -■ wa b 
on May 5, 1855. In the fall of 1856 they removed to Broome county. J^^^''" -^^ll^^^^ 
are WUb^r, Charles, Welcome. John. Walter and George. Joseph Place, father of 



968 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

Andrew H., came to Broome county in 1857, and died in 1876, aged ninety-four 
years; his wife died in 1875, aged eighty-eight years. Andrew H. Place's grand- 
father, also named Joseph, enlisted in the Revolutionary army at Providence, R. I., 
and was honorably discharged under Washington at New York ; he received his pay 
in government scrip, amounting to eighty dollars, forty of which he paid for his pas- 
sage from New York to Providence, where he went to a hotel and for a drink of rum, 
paid the remaining forty — showing that while the government meant to do right by 
its defenders, they received but little benefit for their services. The ancestors were 
of French Huguenots, and the family name was originally De la Place. Abraham 
Tompkins, maternal grandfather of Andrew H. Place, enlisted in the Revolutionary 
army at Poughkeepsie as first lieutenant and was promoted from grade to grade to 
colonel, which office he held when the army was disbanded. Mr. Place has been ac- 
tive in politics, has served as justice of the peace nine years and justice of sessions 
three years. In educational affairs he has been much interested, being connected 
officially with the schools for twenty years. 



Johnson, C. Fred, was born in Milford, Mass., August 29, 1856. His father, Frank 
A. Johnson, was a native of Massachusetts and engaged in the boot and shoe busi- 
ness; he married Sarah J. Aldrich, and they are parents of Lottie M., Oscar E., C. 
Fred, George F. and Harry L. Mr. Johnson was captain in the army and was hon- 
orably discharged in 1865. He was a prominent fireman, serving about twenty 
years. C. Fred Johnson was educated in the common schools and was then em- 
ployed in a shoe factory. He came to Binghamton in 1884 and was engaged in the 
Lester Shoe Company; he came to Lestershire in 1890 and built the first house in 
Lestershire and is now assistant superintendent of the Lestershire Mfg. Co. Mr. 
Johnson was one of the organizers of the fire department and is now chief engineer. 
He married Ida, daughter of Benjamin F. Bullard; their children are Maud E,, 
Mary F. and Charles F. Mr. Johnson is one of Lestershire's enterprising busmess 
men, of sterling integrity and is identified with the best interests of his town. 



Conklin, Thomas, was born in what is now known as the town of Kirkwood, March 
11, 1829, a son of Joseph and Emily (Thomas) Conklin, whose children were Amanda, 
Thomas, Emily, Theodore, Orville and Oscar, and two who died in infancy. Thomas 
Conklin was educated in the common schools of the town of Kirkwood. His early 
life was spent with his parents, assisting his father on the farm summers and attend- 
ing school winters. When twenty-one years of age he started in life for himself as 
a farmer. Mr. Conklin married Sarah C, daughter of Tobias and Eliza Van Buren ; 
they have three children living: Frank J., Henry T. and Emma E., and three de- 
ceased; Edgar B., who died June 3, 1877, at twenty-six years of age; he had studied 
for a lawyer and was admitted to the bar ; Ida E. and George M. In 1885 Mr. Conk- 
lin engaged in the general merchandise business at Riverside, which he conducted 
for Some years, but now lives retired. He has always been active in town and county 
affairs and has represented his town on the board of supervisors in 1876 and 1877; 
also served as assessor. He is also interested in educational work, having been trus- 
tee of the school for twenty years, and is active in the Riverside M. E. church, at the 
present time acting as steward, trustee, secretary and collector; he has held office in 




C. FKBD JOHNSON. 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 960 

the church many years. Mr. Conklin is a member of the Great Bend F. &: A. M. 
No. 338. 



Park, Edward Y., came to this county in May, 1836, from Amenia, Dutchess 
county, N. Y., with his wife, Almira (Rundall) Park, and his two sons, Abram and 
Edward. They had three children born in this county: Ellen, wife of Edmond W. 
Barlow; Mary Virginia, who lives with her two brothers on the homestead; and 
Julia, wife of Charles Gennett. Edward Y. followed general farming until his death 
in 1870. The first of the Park family to come here was George, uncle of Edward Y., 
who came with a party of surveyors in the employ of the State. He settled in Bing- 
hamton, where he was a civil engineer and attorney. He had two sons, Hobert and 
Charles, and two _daughters, Catherine and Julia. Abram R. and Edward attend- 
ed school at the Binghamton Academy and later went to the Amenia Seminary; 
they now live on the homestead and carry on general farming. Abram R. has 
represented his town on the board of supervisors two terras; also served as town 
clerk. The homestead consists of about 200 acres of land and is considered one of 
the best farms in the vicinity. These present members of the Park family are the 
ninth generation in descent of Robert Parke of Preston, England, who came to this 
country in 1630 with Governor Winthrop in the ship Arabelle, as his private secretary 
and personal friend. They landed at Salem, Mass., on June 17, 1630. With Robert Parke 
came his three sons: William, Samuel and Thomas. Reaching manhood, William 
Parke settled in Roxbury, Mass. ; Samuel settled in Stonington, Conn., and Thomas, 
the direct ancestor of this present branch, lived and died in Preston, Conn. Rob- 
ert Parke died in New London in 1665. Elijah Park, fifth in descent of Thomas. 
and grandfather of Edward Y. Park, was a captain in the Revolutionary army. 



Chase, S. P., p. o. Port Dickinson, was born in the town of Windsor, N. Y., Feb- 
ruary 15, 1833. His father, Daniel Chase, was a native of New Hampshire, was jus- 
tice of the peace of Windsor for twenty years. He came to Broome county about 
1830; he married Delilah Vail, and died in 1830; she died in 1843. S P. Chase was 
educated in the common schoils, ajd worked on his father's farm summers and 
taught school winters. In 1854 he went to Wisconsin and engaged in the lumber 
business, returning in 1858, and has since been engaged in farming. He was elected 
supervisor from the town of Kirkwood five different times and inspector of election 
several times. He married Harriet M., daughter of David and Harriet Langdon of 
Kirkwood ; they have one daughter, Lizzie M. Chase. 



Peck, Theodore C, was born in Lexington, Greene county. May 17, 1833. His 
father, Samuel T. Peck, was a native of Lexington also, and a farmer, and a de- 
scendant of the party that came early to this country in the Mayflower. He married 
Amelia Cornish, and their children were Theodore C, Arthur, Marion M. and 
Horatio A. Arthur was killed by a horse in 1850 at the age of sixteen years. Theo- 
dore C. was educated in the common schools and in 1852 engaged in steam boat- 
ing, firing on the ill-fated steamer Henry Clay that was was burned the same year 
on the Hudson river, while on her passage from Albany to New York. The winters 
of 1853 and 1853 Mr. Peck was employed by the Eighth Avenue R. R. Co. of New 



970 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

York. In 1855 he fired on the steamer Maj. Reybold, between Philadelphia and 
Salem, N. J., and the season of 1856 on the steamer Elm City between New York 
and New Haven, Conn., and later quitting the business while second engineer of the 
steamer Geo. Pratt, after which he turned his attention to tanning. In the spring 
of 1858, on account of poor health, he went to California and engaged in mining, 
where he remained until June, 1862, when he returned to tanning again. In 1863 
he again embarked as fireman on the U. S. mail steamer Thomas A Morgan, run- 
ning between Fortress Monroe and Yorktown, and on emergency occasions acting 
as a transport, and on one occasion took Gen. Fitzhugh Lee a prisoner of war from 
Whitehouse, Va., to Fortress Monroe. The year 1864 he was employed in the Ezra 
Pratt tannery at Jewett Centre, N. Y., and the following year by Hoyt Bros, in their 
celebrated Monroeville tannery; being made foreman of the tannery in the spring of 
1866, and later general superintendent, remaining in that capacity until 1893, during 
which time he tanned and shipped to market two and a half million sides of sole 
leather, Mr. Peck married" Sarah J. Botchford, and they are the parents of Luella 
E. (Mrs. S. Mack Smith), Adelbert J , and George A., who is a naval apprentice, 
and is now on the U. S. flagship Brooklyn at Manila in the Philippine Islands. Mrs. 
Peck died in 1898, and in November, 1899, Mr. Peck married for his second wife 
Miss Minnie Kennedy, and are now living in Port Dickinson, N. Y. 



Wilson, W. H., M. D., p. o. Lestershire, was born in Choconut Center in 1864. 
His father, Alexander Wilson, was a native of Scotland and always a farmer; he 
married Nancy J. Cartwright. and they are the parents of Charles M., a lawyer in 
Wisconsin; Frank E., Mary Wilson Hinman, Orman E., of Choconut Center, Eliza 
A., a teacher, and Charles S. Dr. Wilson was educated in the schools of Bingham- 
ton and Bellevue Hospital Medical College, and was graduated from the latter in 
1888. He began his practice in Whitney Point and in 1890 came to Lestershire, 
where he is one of the leading physicians of the town. In 1896 he was elected presi- 
dent of the village and has been health officer ever since it was incorporated. He is 
past grand of the I. O. O. F., is medical examiner for the Knights of Maccabees and 
Ladies of Maccabees, for the I. O. of R. M., and medical examiner for a number of 
life insurance companies. He married Ida J. Stalker. 



Rogers, H. M., p. o. Port Dickinson, was born in New York city, January 7, 1866. 
His father, Gen. H. C. Rogers, was a native of Oneida county, N. Y. He married 
Sarah Mather, and their children were Sarah and H. M. Gen. Rogers died in 1897 
and his wife in 1867. H. M. Rogers was educated in the U. S. Military Academy 
and Columbia Law School. Later he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 
1890; he is now engaged in farming. He married Emma, daughter of Norman A. 
Phelps, and they have three children: John M., Norman P. and Philip A. 



Chambers, J. F. , p. o. Lestershire, was born in the town of Mount Morris, Liv- 
ingston county, February 14, 1867. His father, James Chambers, was a native of 
St. Lawrence county, and was engaged in farming, making a specialty of dairying 
and hop raising. He married Amanda T. Batterson, and they are the parents of 
Mary E., Emily J., John F., Grant, Melvin, Charles and Delia. John F. Chambers 




WILLIAM H. WILSON, M. b. 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 971 

was educated in the common and high schools of Nunda, N. Y. He taught school 
for four years and in 1889 came to Lestershire, and worked in the Lestershire Manu- 
facturing Co. He was elected first assistant engineer of the fire department and in 
1899 was appointed fire commissioner. Mr. Chambers is one of the pioneers of Les- 
tershire and one of the representative men of the village. 



Cook, Ira S., was elected superintendent of the poor of Broome county in 1889 and 
re-elected in 1892, but died in March, 18955, at the age of fifty-five, soon after enter- 
ing on his second term. His father, James Robert Cook, the youngest of thirteen 
children, was married to Sarah Slater of Triangle, in 1837, and three sons were born 
to them: Ira, James, jr., and Joseph. The father, after the death of his wife (the 
youngest boy, Joseph, being dead also), left his two sons with friends and went to 
Chicago, where he conducted a stage route for several years till his death. James, 
jr., lived at Cooperstown with an uncle, Julius Warren, until grown to manhood, 
when he went to Minneapolis, where he now resides. He has been connected with the 
Minneapolis Linseed Oil Paint Co. for years. Ira S. remained at Centre Lisle with his 
uncle, Joseph Cook, until sixteen years old, then taught school for two years. After 
this he attended the academy at Cooperstown and went from there to Eastman's 
Commercial College at Rochester, from which he graduated in 1857. He came back 
to Centre Lisle in 1859 and purchased the farm where he had lived when a boy. In ' 
the same year he married Eliza J. Lusk, daughter of Simon and Rebecca Mersereau 
Lusk. Two children were born to them, Dellaphine and William. The daughter 
grew to womanhood and married Dr. E. A. Pierce, now of Salem, Oregon, but lived 
only a short time afterwards. The son, William, married a sister of Dr. Pierce and 
is now in business at Lestershire. Like so many others, Mr. Cook left his wife and 
little children that he might fight for his country. He enrolled as a private in Co. D, 
Fifth Regiment N. Y. Cavalry Volunteers, with Lieut. R. A. Perkins. They were 
in the Fourth Division of the Shenandoah under General Sheridan, and for his gal- 
lantry and bravery he was chosen one of Sheridan's body guard and served until the 
end of the war. He returned to his home and was elected town clerk of Lisle by the 
Republican party in 1868; held this office until 1877, and was then supervisor for two 
years, after which he was appointed by Milo B. Payne, superintendent of poor, as 
keeper of Broome county almshouse and insane asylum. Mr. Cook and his estima- 
ble wife labored here faithfully for ten years, making many changes and improve- 
ments, which made the place one of the best of its kind in the State, and a pride to 
the county. He resigned this position to take that of superintendent of the poor. 
which he held at the time of his death. Mr. and Mrs .Cook were both communicants 
of the First Congregational Church of Binghamton, of which Mrs. Cook is yet an 
active member. He was a man of broad mind, of gentle kindly disposition, of rare 
good judgment and tact and a staunch, true friend. 



Coleman, Coe O., p. o. Binghamton, was born in New Jersey, August 7, 1837, a 
son of John P. and Mary (Small) Coleman, and was educated in the common schools. 
He clerked in a store in Owego, and in 1861 enlisted in the war as corporal. He was 
discharged on account of being wounded in 1803, and was appointed postmaster in 
1867 at Nichols, Tioga county. In 1871 he went to Susquehanna and engaged in the 



972 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

mercantile business, and was elected school director for one term. In 1880 he came 
to Binghamton and engaged in the mercantile and real estate business. He opened 
the first block of lots west of Dr. Orton Hill, built the first business store in Lester- 
shire and has been clerk of the school district from the first. He married Martha 
Van Gordon, and they are the parents of Mary L. Coleman-Chalker, Ina M. and 
Alan B. 



Adams, S. B., was born in Nichols, Tioga county, May 24, 1856. His father, 
George Q. Adams, was a native of the town of Barton and was a farmer, also was 
engaged in the lumber business; he married Maria F. Beardsley at Odessa, Schuyler 
county; they had one son, Stephen B., as above. Mr. Adams died in 1873. S. B. 
Adams was educated in the common schools and Lowell Commercial School at Bing- 
hamton. He then engaged in the harness business and later in bridge building for 
the D., L. & W. Railroad for two years, also for other railroads. In 1894 he came to 
Lestershire and built a laundry on Main street and is now engaged in real estate, 
contracting and building. Mr. Adams married Evalyn C, daughter of George Roe; 
they have two children. Donna Mae and George. Mr. Adams is one of Lestershire's 
representative men and a man of sterling integrity. 



Kales, George R., was born on the old homestead, June 20, 1854, a son of John 
Kales. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He is a 
farmer and owns the homestead farm of 158 acres. In 1886 Mr. Kales married Au- 
gusta Miller of Colesville, and they have one son, William H. In politics Mr. Kales 
is a Republican and has served as assessor for twelve years in succession. He is a 
member of Chenango Tribe No. 58, I. O. R. M. A brother of Mr. Kales and one of 
the leading farmers of Fenton is Henry Kales, born in Coventry, N. Y., December 
13, 1842, a son of John, and grandson of John Kales, of German descent, but who 
lived and died in Ireland. John Kales came to Chenango county in 1842 and in 1851 
to the town of Fenton, where he died in 1876, at the age of sixty-four years; he mar- 
ried Mary A. Armstrong, born in Ireland, by whom he had five children, four now 
living. Mr. Kales was an active Republican, but not an aspirant to public office; 
his wife died in 1894, aged eighty years. Henry Kales was reared on the farm and 
educated in the common schools. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. B, 137th N. Y. Vol. In- 
fantry, and served for three years. He was at Chancellorsville, Lookout Mountain, 
Sherman's march to the sea, being captured on the march and held a prisoner for 
three months at Florence, South Carolina, and many other battles of note. Since 
the war he has followed farming and in 1868 bought the farm he owns of 180 acres 
and has since added to it until now he owns 230 acres. In 1868 he married Angeline, 
daughter of William Page of Fenton; they have three children: James H., Minnie 
E. and Mary A. Mr. Kales is a Republican and was supervisor of Fenton in 1896, 
1897 and 1898. He is a member of Bartlett Post No. 668, G. A. R.. Dept. of N. Y. 



Williams, Guy W., was born in Sanitaria Springs, July 17, 1865, a son of Nathan 
K. Williams. Nathan K. Williams was born August 23, 1815, died April 28, 1888 ; 
he was a son of Bartholemew Williams who came to Colesville from near Stamford, 
Conn. His second wife, Laura A., was a daughter of William H. (from Connecticut) 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 973 

and Eunice Blatchley ; he was a mason by trade and a teacher of vocal music for many 
years Guy W. Williams was educated at Sanitaria Springs and at the age of 
eighteen years engaged as fireman for the Standard Oil Co. and at the age of twenty- 
one was promoted to telegraph operator and has since held that position. In 1893 
Mr Williams married Nellie Whitham, and they have one daughter, Leah L. Mr. 
Williams is independent in politics; he is a member of Chenango Tribe. No. 08. I. 
O. R. M. 

Garrow I. Jesse, was born in Colesville, September 10, 1844, a son of Isaac and 
grandson 'of Jesse Garrow. who came to Broome county in an early day and spent 
his last days in the west. Isaac Garrow spent most of his life in Colesville a farmer ; 
he married Margaret Whitham, born in Leeds. Eng. Isaac Garrow died in 18.6 and 
his wife in 1891. I. Jesse Garrow was reared on a farm and educated in the com- 
mon schools. He was a farmer, havmg 280 acres. In politics Mr. Garrow was a 
Republican and served as assessor six years. July 12^ 186 .he --ned Eleanor 
Whitham- they had four children: Margaret, Sarah. Edward H. and Ella M^ Ed- 
ward H . was born February 5, 1875, educated in the Binghamton schools and Frank- 
Un college Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1897; he also graduated from the 
Albany Normal school in 1899. Mr. Garrow died January 14. 1899. 

A. M. and Ouaquaga Tnbe No^ "^^ J' °- ,^. '„> „.„„] • they have three children : 
Amelia C daughter o£ Horace a d J , i^^^^^^^'^^-^y ^^ „,^„,, ,,. .,, 
Bruce W., bornjune 7, 18/4, educatea in n p educated at HarpursviUe. at 

Erie railroad; George A., born September 28^ 88^-^^^^^^^^^^^ Harpur'sville. Mr. 
home; and Nellie J., born November 12, 1883, also educate j ^^^^^^^ 

Cheeseman makes a specialty of potato raising and has taken pr 

of fairs. 

• roiP<;vine N Y March 9, 1860, a son of Edwin, son 
Badger, B. B., was born ^'^ C^'^-;^;/- ^,;^., g^.g^r was born in Colesville 
of Miles Badger, a pioneer °^^olesvil^^ Eds g^^^^^^ ^^^^^.^ ^^^^^^^^^ ^^ 

where he died in February, 1865, ^^ J^^'''^^ ^. ^^^^t, died when he was 

Peter Martin. B. B. Badger was reared «" ^ fj^^^^.f JP"/; ^t eighteen years of 
young and he was brought up by his --;' f^^^^/^^^TsfJ^gaged in'the mercantile 
age he began clerking in O-^uaga and on Ma^ 1^^^^^^^^^ ^/oecember, 1887. Mr. 
business, which he has earned on very ^"^^^^^'^ ^^ Ouaquaga. Mr. Badger is 

Badger married Ella, daughter o ^e-ce H^^^olittle^o^ O ^^q^^g ^^ ^^^ ^ ^ ^ 

a member of the Ouaquaga Tribe No. »*, i- ' ^^ ^^ litics he is a Demo- 

F. ; also a member of Wmdsor lo ge "^ ^„^,^^;^^^-^„^ /,,,, ,f ,ge. which he 
crat and was elected 3-f «« ;^^;X^^;;d ..pervisor.'still holding that ofhce. his 
held for one term ; in 189-i he was eic^, r 



974 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

present term expiring in 1901. He was postmaster under both of Cleveland's admin- 
istrations. 



Lockwood, Everett, was born in Otsego county, N. Y. , November 20, 1857, a son 
of Everland and Martha J. (Barber) Lockwood. He was reared in the village of 
East Worcester, N. Y., and educated in the common schools and a State Normal 
school. In 1881 he came to the town of Colesville and after farming for six years en- 
gaged in the lumber business and also as bridge contractor. In February, 1881, Mr. 
Lockwood married Cora L. Babcock of Otsego county; they had three children: 
Edith, Julian and Vernon. In politics Mr. Lockwood is a Republican and has served 
as highway commissioner. He has twenty-four acres of land where he resides, on 
which he follows general farming. 



Hobbs Bros , manufacturers and dealers in carriages, harnesses, sulkies and bicy- 
cles. — The firm is composed of George W. and Charles H., sons of J. W. Hobbs. J. 
W. Hobbs was born in Delaware county, October 8, 1831, a son of Samuel, son of 
Jonas Hobbs, a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Samuel Hobbs came to Delaware 
county in an early day and there lived and died, at the age of thirty-three years. He 
married Catherine Williams and they had five children, all now living. J. W. Hobbs 
was reared in Andes village and educated in the common schools; he learned the 
carriage making business and soon took up the study of law and has practiced that 
for forty years. He carried on the carriage business until 1868, when his sons started 
in and have since carried it on in an extensive and very successful way. In 1845 Mr. 
Hobbs came from Delhi, where he was in business, to Nineveh, where he has since 
resided. In politics he was identified with the Democratic party until 1855, when he 
assisted in organizing the Republican party and was with that part}' until 1872, since 
which time he has been independent. He has served as justice of the peace for 
twenty years in succession. July 37, 1842, he married Mary E. Williams, born in 
Delaware county, December 25, 1823, and they had two sons, mentioned above. 
Mrs. Hobbs died May 31, 1898. George W. Hobbs was born in Delhi, N. Y., No- 
vember 2, 1843, educated in the common schools and Harpursville Seminary. He 
followed teaching several years and studied law two years, under instruction from 
Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson, but the Civil war coming on he abandoned the idea of 
practicing and engaged in the carriage business with his brother. November 2, 1864, 
he married Ellen S. Buck, daughter of Lyman Buck, and they had one daughter, 
Mary E. (deceased). Mr. Hobbs began his political life with the Republican party, 
and while always alive to the political issues of the day, has never aspired to public 
office. Since 1872 he has been independent in politics, affiiliating usually with the 
Democratic party. In 1896 he received the nomination for member of assembly ; he 
was active in organizing the Susquehanna Valley Telephone Co. in the spring of 
1898, and has been secretary and general manager of the company since. Charles 
H. Hobbs was born April 22, 1845, educated in the common schools and grew up in 
the carriage business, in which he has continued to the present time. In 1892 he en. 
gaged in life, fire and accident insurance and has been very successful. He is inde- 
pendent in politics and a Universalist in religion, as the whole family are. He mar- 
ried Theodora Buck of Afton. Hobbs Bros, have added to their business during 1899 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 975 

a banking department, doing the usual discounting of notes, issuing checks, and 
work done by private banks. 



Reynolds, Cornelius O., was born in Colesville, N. Y., November 14, 1873, a son of 
Angus S., and grandson of Cornelius Reynolds, born in Westchester county, N. Y , 
who came to Delaware county and to Broome county about 1849. He was a black- 
smith by trade and was first station agent at Sanitaria Springs, which position he 
held until his death in 1893, aged eighty-three. Angus Reynolds was born June 22, 
1844, and assisted his father as station agent for about twenty-five years. He mar- 
ried Mary, daughter of Luke English; they had three children: Cornelius O., Luke 
E. and Rosette M. He married for his second wife Etta V. Osborne of Milwaukee, 
Wis., in August, 1894. Cornelius O. Reynolds was educated in the common schools 
and at the age of sixteen began Assisting his father as station agent and has re- 
mained in the office ever since. He was the youngest station agent under the D. & H. 
R. R. Mr. Reynolds owns the old homestead, also had his grandfather's place, which 
he has recently sold. Mr. Reynolds is a member of Parlor City Lodge No. 702, I. O. 
O. F. On January 4. 1898, he married Mary A. Marshall, daughter of Edward 
Marshall; they have one son, Angus M. 

Churchill Augustus, was born in Colesville, December 4. 1860. and educated in the 
common schools. In 1885 he engaged with the Standard Oil Co., and is at present 
fireman November 27, 1884, Mr. Churchill married Addie M. Cator, and they had 
one daughter, Louise, born January 19, 1889. Mrs. Churchill died March 9, 1898, 
and on May 16, 1899. Mr. Churchill married Julia E. Berray of Colesville. Mr. 
Churchill owns a part of the old homestead, forty acres of which he rents. 

Kark J. Asa, was born in Colesville, November 6, 1854, a son of Abram, son of 
John Kark, who came from New Jersey to Sanitaria Springs when sixteen years old, 
coming on foot. John Kark was a farmer; in politics a Republican ; his wife was 
Melissa Negus, a direct descendant of Col. Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary fame. 
Abram Kark was born April 10, 1824, and educated in the common schools; a car- 
penter by trade and contractor, he did much work in Binghamton. He was a Re- 
publican, always active and served as assessor and collector. His -fe was M.nerva 
Eldred, daughter of Asa Eldred, who served in the war of 1812 J. Asa Kark the 
subject was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools. He «as en- 
gaged in the meat business for .seven years and for a while in farming at Sanitaria 
ipfings. In 1891 he engaged in the undertaking business, which he has followed 
?nce f he also kept a grocery store until 1899, when he sold out and moved to Harpur. 
ville and bought the undertaking business and now has con rol °^ ^^^ J^;;;"^ ^^ 
both nlaces In 1878 Mr. Kark married Alice Carpenter of Colesville , they have two 
so"s 'Ha:rv G and Arthur C. Mr. Kark is an active .^epu^Hcan a d h 
stable, collector and assessor eight years in ^^^^^^^^^^^ .^^^'ll'^^^^^ ^^ 
present time (1899). He was appointed postmaster at S-'tana Sprrngs -^er^^^^^^ 
^ ■, • 1 i,„^ u^ />Qmp tr> Haroursville; he was census laKer lu 

dent McKinley and resigned -hen l^e -ame .,0 Harpv ^ ^^^ 

1890. Mrs. Kark is a member of the Baptist cnurca ai 

port the same. He still owns the old Kark homestead ot 100 acres. 



976 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

Leach, Samuel S., was born in Tioga county, N. Y., May 14, 1854, a son of Samuel 
H. and Sophia A (Smith) Leach. Samuel H. Leach was born in Tioga county and 
there lived and died in June, 1857. He and his wife had four children, two now liv- 
ing. Samuel S. was reared in Owego and there educated. He worked at various 
occupations and was with the Erie Railroad for eight j^ears. In 1881 he came to 
Sanitaria Springs and engaged with the Standard Oil Co., and has been with this 
company since with the e.xception of three years; he was promoted to head engineer 
in 1887 and has held that position since. He owns two residences in Sanitaria 
Springs and a farm of fifty-three acres In politics Mr. Leach is a Democrat. In 
1S79 he married Mary A. Tanner; their children are John A , Viola S., Zaida A. and 
Edna L. Mrs. Leach was a daughter of Eliah and Elizabeth (Thomas) Tanner, na- 
tives of Vermont, who settled in Tioga county and there lived and died. Mr. Leach's 
grandparents were James and Eleanor (Harkness) Leach, of Scotch-Irish descent, 
born in Ireland and emigrated to Tioga county about 1825. 



Meacham, George, was born at Hopkinton, May 22, 1827, a son of Moses and 
Sophia (Williston) Meacham, who came to this county with their family about 1843, 
and settled in Millville, a part of Binghamton, where he followed his trade of mason. 
George Meacham's early life was spent with his parents and he was educated in 
Binghamton in what was known as the old academy which stood where the county 
clerk's office now is. When about fifteen years of age he started in life for himself 
as a laborer in the lath mills at Pond Brook and remained there one year, then went 
boating on the old canal. In 1846 he went whaling on the northwest seas, which he 
followed for about three years and then returned to Millville. He went to work as a 
laborer and lumberman, which he followed for about three years and then engaged 
in the grocery business; in 1854 he started as a commercial traveler and was so en- 
gaged until 1896, and is now living retired. On June 23, 1851, Mr. Meacham mar- 
ried Jane, daughter of Edmund Titchner; they have three children: Henry C, Jen- 
nie E. and George L. Mr. Meacham is a Mason and takes great interest in public 
enterprises. 



Clement, Samuel, was born in Schoharie county, January 13, 1828, a son of John S. 
and Gertrude (Lyker) Clement, who had five children as follows: Margaret, Cath- 
erine, Samuel, Eliza and Mary. Samuel was educated in the common schools of 
Schoharie and Montgomery counties and lived with his parents until twenty-one 
years of age, when he started in life for himself as a carpenter and builder. This 
trade he followed until 1864, then moved to Broome county and engaged in the gen- 
eral merchandise business. He has served as postmaster for twenty years and has 
also held several of the town offices. He is interested in school and church work, 
be'ng a member of the Conklin Forks M. E. church. On October 5, 1859, Mr. Clem- 
ent married Julia A., daughter of Frederick and Hannah (Smith) Shoefelt; they have 
one daughter Jessie Gertrude, wife of Jesse M. Rowley, who is also a merchant at 
Conklin Forks. 



Van Wormer, Aaron, was born in Albany county, N. Y., February 23, 1832, a son 
of Aaron and Elizabeth (Severson) Van Wormer, who came to this county about 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 077 

1837; they had nine children: Isaac, Abraham, John, James, Aaron, George, Al- 
bertus, Mary and Margaret. George and Albertus are natives of Broome county, 
the rest of Albany county. Aaron's life since he came here has been spent on the 
farm where he now lives, with the exception of four years, two of which were spent 
in the West and two in the town of Kirkwood. When twenty-one years of age Mr. 
Van Wormer started in life for himself as a farmer, which he follows at the present 
time. On September 8, 1854, Mr. Van Wormer married Sarah, daughter of Alanson 
Wildey; they have four children living: Charles. Fred, Viola, wife of Charles Law- 
rence, and Jessie. Aaron Van Wormer has represented his town on the board of 
supervisors for several years; also held several other town offices. He has always 
been active in school and educational work and was deacon of the Baptist church for 
about twenty years. He is a member of the Winona Tribe of Red Men No. 222. and 
has held most of the offices in the lodge. 



Banta, Christopher J., was born in the town of Conklin, January 18, 1857, a son of 
Jacob and Arminda (Perry) Banta, who came from Susse.x county and settled here 
about 1842. They had eight children: Mary, Sophia, J. Edward, Christopher J., 
Nettie, Minnie, Fannie and William. Christopher J. remained with his parents on 
the farm until about twenty-four years of age when he started in life for himself as a 
butcher and produce dealer and farmer, which business he still carries on. July 3, 
1882, Mr. Banta married Carrie, daughter of Edward C. and Mary (Bull) Tompkins 
(deceased); their children are Nettie, Charles and Carrie. Mr. Banta married, sec- 
ond, Gertrude Deyo. and they have one daughter. Alice May. Mr. Banta takes an 
active part in all public-spirited enterprises, being much interested in schools and 
education, also church work. 



Manwarren, Albert, was born in Coventry, Chenango county. N. Y., August 21, 
1845, a son of Henry and Hepsey (Martin) Manwarren, who had four children: Al- 
bert S., Elizabeth, wife of Edwin C. Sleeper, Charles H. and Hattie, wife of Alexaii- 
der Gardinier. all natives of Chenango county. Henry came to Windsor, with his 
family, in 1865, and was one of the largest land owners in that town. Albert Man- 
warren was educated in the common schools of Chenango county and later in the 
Windsor academy. When twenty-one years of age he started in life for himself as a 
farmer, about one and one-half miles from Windsor village, where he remained four 
years, then moved to the village of Windsor, where he has since resided. In 1871 he 
opened the first meat market in Windsor and two years later added a stock of gro- 
ceries; in 1875 he sold his interest in the meat market and carried on the grocery 
business for sixteen years, then engaged in the hardware business. In 1892 he sold 
out his mercantile interests and has since lived mostly retired. In 1899 Mr. Man- 
warren purchased the flat land near the village of Windsor and is interested in 
farming. May 20, 1867. Mr. Manwarren married .Margaret, daughter of Henry (de- 
ceased) and Magdaline Van Ness; they have four children: Mary, George A.. Henry 
W. and Etta, natives of the town of Windsor. Mr. Manwarren is interested in town 
and county affairs and was one of the first trustees of the village ; he has also taken 
an active part in schools and educational work and at the erection of the graded 
62 



978 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

school building was chairman of the finance and building committee, and gave about 
one year of his time superintending its erection. 



Brown, Silas P., was born on the farm where he now resides, September 24, 1844, 
a son of Joseph and Sophia (Sweezy) Brown, who had ten children: Julia, wife of 
Thomas Brown, both deceased; James S., Jason C, Hattie, wife of Richard Jones 
(deceased); Austin, Ruth, both deceased; Silas P., Cordelia (deceased), Charles (de- 
ceased), Clarrissa (deceased), all born on the farm where Silas P. resides. Joseph 
followed farming; in 1813, when he was twelve years old, his father, Daniel Brown 
of Long Island, purchased a tract of land a mile square, of which the old homestead 
was a part, and moved here. Silas P. Brown spent his early life with his parents on 
the old homestead; he was educated in the common schools and Windsor academy. 
When twenty- two years of age he took charge of the homestead and his father re- 
tired from active life, but father and mother resided on the homestead with the son 
until their death. Mr. Brown died in 1887 and the mother in 1894. The homestead 
contained 110 acres, but Mr. Brown has made additions until the farm contains 230 
acres. In 1873 Mr. Brown married Ellen, daughter of Dwight and Mary Ann 
(Knowlton) Stilson. Mr. Brown has been active in town and county affairs, having 
held the office of justice of the peace for twelve years, and other minor offices. He 
is an active worker in the Union church of Lester, where he resides, and was one of 
its charter members; he is clerk of the board and one of the advisory committee. He 
was formerly a member of Windsor lodge F. & A. M, No. 442. 



Edson, Isaac C, M. D., was born in the town of Windsor, July 3, 1823, a son of 
Harley and Phoebe (Heath) Edson, who had three children: Joseph C, Isaac C. and 
Emily, wife of Garry Stillson ; later she married Lyman Treadwell. Harley was a 
son of Seth and Desire Edson, who came from Tyringham, Mass., with their family 
about 1806. Seth Edson served as a private in the Revolutionary war. Joseph 
Heath, father of Phoebe, served as a musician in the Revolutionary war and later 
moved to Broome county, about 1806, with Patience, his wife, and was one of its 
pioneer settlers. By trade he was a blacksmith and his shop that he worked in still 
stands, but is used as a dwelling house. Isaac C. Edson spent his early life on 
the farm with his parents and was educated in the Windsor schools. When nine- 
teen years of age he took up the study of medicine and graduated from the Pennsyl- 
vania Medical college at Philadelphia, Pa., in 1861 ; later he studied under Dr. P. M. 
Way's instructions and was graduated from the Albany Medical college in 1868. He 
also attended a course of lectures in the New York Polyclinic college, taking a 
course in gynecology, laryngology, surgery and general medicine. Dr. Edson passed 
the State civil .service examination, which entitled him to hold the office of health 
officer, which he has held for many years. When he commenced the practice of 
medicine he located at Cincinnatus, N. Y., where he remained for about one year, 
then moved to West Colesville and three years later moved to the town of Windsor, 
where he has been located and practiced since. He is a self-made man, depending 
upon his own resources since he was fifteen years of age. September 25, 1841, Dr. 
Edson married Lydia A., daughter of Piatt and Polly Crofut ; they have two children : 
Dr. Charles C. and Lucia A. He married second, Sarah, daughter of Gurdon and 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY IIIST(JRY. <)7'J 

Laurie Knowlton ; they had one daughter, Ella (deceased). Dr. Edson is a member 
and ex-president of Broome County Medical Society and member of New York State 
Medical Society, and medical examiner of New York Life, Equitable Life and others. 
He has been active in town and county affairs ; represented his town on the board of 
supervisors two years ; coroner two terms and member of assembly two terms. He 
was formerly a mfember of Windsor A. F. & A. M. No. 442. He has been active in 
the growth and development of the village of "Windsor, having built several houses 
and is the oldest practicing physician in the town and county, having practiced for 
about fifty years. 



Furraan, Taber V., was born in the town of Colesville, December 11, 1856, a .son of 
James R. and Harriet A. (Shove) Furman, who had two children: Lucinda S.. wife 
of Charles P. Stevens of Harpursville, N. Y., and Taber V. James R. was a native 
of Otsego county and a son of William Furman, who was also a resident of Otsego 
county and a farmer by occupation. In 1867 the parents of T. V. moved to Har- 
pursville, where they resided for about four years, James R. following the painter's 
trade, after which they moved to Milford, Conn., where Mr. Furman accepted a posi- 
tion as superintendent of one of the departments of a large hat manufactory, which 
position he held for ten years, after which he followed his trade until his death, 
which occurred February 21, 1894. Taber V. spent his early life with his parents 
and first started in life as a drug clerk at Milford, Conn., where he was employed for 
four years, after which he accepted a position as a druggist in Binghamton. N. Y., 
where he remained for five years. In 1881 he moved to the village of Windsor, N. 
Y. , where he purchased a drug store, and successfully conducted the business for 
twelve years, disposing of the same in 1893, since which time he has given a portion 
of his time to the purchase, manufacture and sale of lumber. In 1882 Mr. Furman 
married Florence E. Howe of Binghamton, N. Y., a daughter of Smith and Caroline 
(Harris) Howe. Smith Howe enlisted in Co. G, 137th Reg., and died at Harper's 
Ferry soon after his enlistment. Mr. Furman is president of Wmdsor village, which 
office he has held since its incorporation in 1896. He is active in church and educa- 
tional work, being a trustee of the M. E. Church, and has been a member of the 
board of education for the past seven years. 



Watrous, William Wallace, was born in the town of Colesville, September 5, 1829, 
a son of John B. and Annie (Barnes) Watrous; their children were William Wallace. 
Mary P., wife of Isaac Ryan; Emma C, wife of Capt. Frank Smith; Frances M , 
wife of John R. Comfort, a member of the Montana Legislature and resides at Twin 
Bridge, Montana; Ada C, wife of Henry W. Lynch; James Edgar, who enlisted in 
Co. G, 89th Regiment, N. Y. Vols, and died in service at Folly Island, S. C, at 
twenty years of age, and Leonard Harrison, who died when about eight years of 
age, all natives of Broome county. John B. was born May 5, 1805, at Ridgefield, 
Conn., and died February 26, 1895. He was a son of James S. and Sarah (Boughton) 
Watrous, she a daughter of Seth Boughton, a Revolutionary soldier and at one time 
a member of the Connecticut Legislature. In 1815 the family moved to Harpers- 
field, N. Y. ; John B. was the first to come to Broome county in 1823 and he was fol- 
lowed by his father. When a young man he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he 



980 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

followed for ten years, after which he gave the most of his time to lumbering and 
farming. While working at his trade he married Annie, daughter of Isaac Tyrrel; 
she lived but a few months and in 1829 he married Annie, daughter of Abijah and 
Phidima Barnes. Mr. Watrous was a man that was much respected, a friend to the 
oppressed and of a kind disposition. William W. Watrous spent his early life with 
his parents, assisting his father on the farm summers and attending school winters. 
His farm was near State Line, bought and moved onto in 1837, a part of which is now 
owned by W. W. Watrous. Soon after he became of age he started in life for him- 
self as a farmer and lumberman, which he has followed to the present time. Sep- 
tember 10, 185], Mr. Watrous married Delia A., daughter of Sebastian and Hannah 
(Benn) Comstock; their children are Dora R., wife of James F. McKune; Hannah A., 
wife of Jaline W. Terry; Charles E., Katie C. and an adopted son, Frank, who is 
now a lumberman in Alaska, also owns a half interest in a mine in Colorado. Mr. 
Watrous has always taken an active interest in town and county affairs; has held the 
office of assessor six years; represented his town on the board of supervisors three 
years; highway commissioner three years and inspector of election several j^ears; he 
also takes an active part in educational and church work. 



Birdsall, Watson H., p. o. Binghamton, was born in Friendsville. Pa., August 21, 
1860. His father, Herman Birdsall, was a native of Pennsylvania, was supervisor of 
Middletown for four years, and school trustee for a number of years. He came to 
Vestal, Broome county, in 1897. June 27, 1849, he married Julia Candfield. Watson 
H. Birdsall was educated in the common schools and worked on a farm for a number 
of years. Later he engaged in the saw milling business, working as foreman in New 
York State and Michigan. In 1889 he came to Binghamton and engaged in the car- 
penter business; in 1891 he came to Lestershire and was appointed superintendent of 
Floral Park Cemetery, and is still holding that position. July 24, 1884, W. H. Bird- 
sall married Minnie E. Mix, of Union, N. Y. 



Robbins, Frank, was born in Union, September, 1844, a son of Allen L. and Han- 
nah (Rockwell) Robbins, who were the parents of Charles C, Thomas R., David L., 
Sai-ah Robbins Crane, Lois Robbins Watterman and Nancy Robbins Dean. Mr. 
Robbins died December 31. 1850. Frank Robbins was educated in the common 
schools and learned the mason trade, but is now engaged in farming and contract- 
ing. He served as justice of the peace for a number of years and commissioner of 
highways for two years. Mr. Robbins married Sarah Rockwell ; they have one son, 
D. Earl. 



Heath, Morgan, was born in Union Centre, August 10, 1844, a son of Major R. 
Heath and Philla A. Stow, his wife, who were the parents of Elizabeth, Ogden R., 
Alva, Antoinette, Morgan, Levi, Orson and Edwin. Morgan Heath was educated 
in the common schools and in 1862 enlisted in the army in the 137th N. Y. Vols., 
serving for three years and was wounded in the battle at Wauhatchie, Tenn. He 
was married to Josephine L. , daughter of George and Betsey Spencer Johnson of Maine, 
September 11, 1867. He then engaged in the manufacture of rakes in Union Centre, 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 081 

then went next to Maine and built a factory which he conducted with marked suc- 
cess for over twenty years. In 1889 he came to Union and erected a flour and feed 
mill, saw mill, planing mill and rake factory combined. They have one daughter, 
Myrtle E., born in Union Centre, July 7, 1868; she was married to Frank O. Hokirk, 
January 22, 1890, and has one son, Lynde D. Hokirk. 



Warner, Job M., was born in Hooper, town of Union, September 28, 1848, a son of 
David C. and Sarah E. (Mersereau) Warner, who were the parents of Sarah A. War- 
ner, Clark Lockey, Amelia Warner, Mersereau Hooper and Job M. Mr. Warner 
died February 4, 1859; his wife in August, 1890. Job M. was educated in the com- 
mon schools and then engaged as a clerk in a general store at Union. In 1872 he 
engaged in business for himself and is now conducting the leading grocery store in 
the town. Mr. Warner served as town clerk for five years. He married Lavina H. 
Brown, and they are the parects of David C, who was elected town clerk in 1899; 
Laban J., who died in November, 1878; and Emraett E., born August 7, 1888. Mr. 
Warner is one of Union's representative business men, and a man of sterling in- 
tegrity. 



Fisher, James G., was born in Delhi, Delaware county, January 22, 1815, a son of 
Matthias and Annis Fisher, who lived their entire life in Delaware county; they had 
nine children: Julia, Henry, James G., Christina, Horace, William P., Electa, Mat- 
thias and John Edwin, all since deceased except James G. and Electa. James G. 
Fisher spent his early life with his parents, attending .school winters and assisting 
on the farm in summens. His father was a son of George Fisher, who was of Ger- 
man descent; he left Germany on account of trouble of enlistment in the army and 
moved to England, later to Columbia county, N. Y., where he married the widow 
Ray and soon after they started overland with an ox team and cow for Delaware 
county by Indian path. When they arrived at Hobart, he constructed a raft of 
timber and brush and floated their household goods to the village of Delhi, Mrs. 
Fisher driving the ox team and cow overland. The farm which they located on is 
now the village of Delhi. James G. Fisher when twenty-five years of age married 
Maranda B., daughter of Nathan StiLson ; they have had three children; Jane, wife 
of George Raitt (deceased); Annis Sophia, wife of Dwight H. Benedict (both de- 
ceased, leaving one son, James Benedict); and Nathan S. (deceased), who married 
Sarah A. Fryer, and had children, Edna M. and Nathan S. The children of George 
and Jane Raitt were Burton C, who married Ida S. Hosford (deceased); Fannie. 
wife of Walter M. Jackson ; and George D., editor of the Unadilla Times, who mar- 
ried Tacy Bentz. The first year of Mr. Fisher's married life he worked a farm on 
shares and then purchased a farm in the town of Franklin ; he lived in that vicinity 
for about twenty-eight years, and also speculated in farm produce and stock. In 
1872 he purchased a farm near Windsor village, where he lived eight years, then 
traded for property in the village— the Coburn Whip Co., which he conducted for 
two years and then sold to F. L. Goodenough and Richard Randall, since which 
time he has lived mostly retired. Mr. Fisher is a public-spirited man, interested in 
educational matters and is a liberal supporter of the Windsor Episcopal church. 



982 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

Ogden, Charles, was born in the town of Binghamton, October 22, 1875. His 
father, Joseph Ogden, was a native of New Jersey, and a farmer; he married Mary 
Van Name, and died in 1863. Charles Ogden was educated in the common schools, 
and at one time was engaged in the manufacture of paper. He married Louise V., 
daughter of Joseph and Esther Nash of Columbia county, and they had one daughter, 
Sarah, who died in 1893. Mr. Ogden is one of the representative business men of 
Port Dickinson, and a man of sterling integrity. 



Snell, John, was born in England, in September, 1880. His father, John Snell, 
was a native of England, and came to Leraysville, Pa., in 1843; he married Ann 
Martyn, and they were the parents of Robober, Ebenezer, Mary Ann, Sophia (who 
died in 1890), and John. John Snell was educated in the common schools and came 
to America with his father at the age of twelve years. He learned the tanner's trade 
and in 1856 built the tannery in Potterville, Bradford county, Pa. ; later he sold his 
interest to his partner, Mr. Taylor. In 1866 Mr. Snell came to Binghamton and is 
now superintendent for Mr. Weed. In August, 1893, he came to Union to live, and 
is identified in the tanning business. Mr. Snell married Amelia F. Miller, and they 
are the parents of Willie L., who travels for the Bennett Overall Co. ; John F., who 
is in the tanning business; Fred M., Lena Snell Parke and Stella J. Snell Clarke of 
Denver. 



Christopher, Drs. E. N. & W. B. — Ernest N. Christopher was born January 21, 
1863. His father. Rev. W. B. Christopher, was born in Union in 1817 and first 
preached at Union Center; he married Lucinda Pine, daughter of Rev. N. Pine, and 
they had three children: William B., Hannah and Ernest N. Mr. Christopher died 
October 9, 1879. Dr. E. N. Christopher was born in Galena, 111., educated in the 
schools at Binghamton and then entered the medical department of Syracuse Uni- 
versity, from which he was graduated in 1887. In 1896 he located at Union, and is 
now practicing with his brother. Dr. Christopher is a Mason, Odd Fellow and Red 
Man. He is one of the elders of the Presbyterian church; in 1899 he was a commis- 
sioner to the General Assembly at Minneapolis, Minn On December 13, 1889, he 
married Eva C, daughter of John and Mary Mix; their children are Agnes L., born 
April 12, 1898; Ernest R., born February 18, 1893; Lee Irving, born April 17, 1895; 
and William, born August 9, 1898. Dr. W. B. Christopher was born January 11, 
1860, in Galena, 111. He was graduated from the medical department of Syracuse 
University in 1891. In January, 1898, he formed a partnership with his brother, Dr. 
E. N. Christopher, locating at Union. Dr W. B. Christopher is an Odd Fellow and 
Red Man, a member of the band, and a fine man. 



Barton, G. W., was born in Union, August 1, 1850. His father, Nathaniel W. 
Barton, was a native of Schoharie county and a farmer; he married Polly Crane, 
who bore him five children: Jane Barton Thornton, Edmond W., Morris E., Henry 
S. and G. W. Mr. Barton died in 1897,' and his wife in 1886. G. W. Barton was ed- 
ucated in the common schools and was employed as fireman in a steam mill at the 
age of sixteen years. At the age of nineteen he engaged in business for himself in 
the milling and lumber business and is now conducting a large flour mill, planing 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 



983 



mill and lumber yard. Mr. Barton married Rosaline Tyler, who bore h.ni five chd- 
"ren Corl who died in 1896; Harry G.. Dana. Frank and Lena. Mr. Barton ,s 
one of Union's self-made men and a man of sterling mtegnty. 

Cafferty. Emma L., was born in Vestal, N. Y. Her father, Milton T Cafferty. 

was born in Union. March 29, 1833; enlisted in the Civil war m 1861. and served to 
he end • he was wounded, and a prisoner five months. He was superintendent of a 
arriumber yard seventeen years in Jersey City, and is now a residen of Union 

He mlrrtd Martha Emily Williams. Their children were Emma L. Ahce E. and 

Jannfe H (the latter deceased). Mrs. Emily L. Cafferty has traveled extensively. 

She was in Havana at the time the Cuban war opened and experienced some diffi- 

culty in getting away. 

■ Hanson, Archie B.. wa. born ,n Delaware county, D--'""^^'' '^^J;^^ »°°;; 
T A T?r.^na r^nllivan) Hanson, whose children were Inez, Charles. Alice, 

Isaac ^''^.^^^°^''\^^'f'Zl Isaac ^ame to Broome county with his family about 
George, Lillian and Aichie B Isaac came to ^ ^.^^ ^^ 

jannary 1 1884. *- "Xd-Tr ave^ ^^ S.e- 1,^ .-^ WiUorO. Mr, 
Sato: isTntrted ir:r^anT:auoaaona, .or. and a n.en,ber o, *e Nat.ona, 

Protective Legion of Waverly, N. \ . 

Bwight, colonel Walton, a gallant '^^]^^ Zo^'Z^y^l" Y.: 
severaf years a citizen of Binghamton. was bon. at W-d or B ,^ ^^^^^ ^^ 

December 20, 1837. Colonel Dwight was ^ "^^'^^n Jh^'^^ ^^ was educated; he 
the rich. His early life was spent ^^ "^^^^'J^^'J^^^ ^^^^^^ successful. At 

first engaged in the lumber ^---^^^^ .^^^ ^^^^ "^^ Penn. Vols., and on his 
the breaking out of the Civil ^:'^^ ^^^^^i^^'^"';^^ ,^^^ regiment was known as the 
own account enlisted over one ^-^red ^en --^f^Jf ^.^ ,^,,, received 

Bucktail regiment; he was -^f^^'^'^rTll^^^^^^^^ 

splendid honors at the batUeoGet^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ business until 

obliged to return home. After he rec-ove 1^^^^^ the Orchard estate, the 

1868 when he moved to Bingham on, where he pur^ ^^^^^^^ ^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ 

former home of Hon. Daniel S. ^^^^^^^.^^^^^^^f ^w ghtville. His beautiful home 

is now all built over by -/l^-^^^^^^^/f^^^ed 1 summer hotel with fifty cottages 
was consumed by fire ^^^ m its stead he e^ec^ed a ^^^ Owight was elected 

surrounding it and is called the D-^^^^f;;:,%enevolent man to the poor and 
mayor of the city of Binghamton. He was a .^V^.^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^ „,t ^ .recess and 
was a most lavish giver to charity, /^ij^ ^ i878 he returned to Bingham- 

.e was obliged to ^Xtl^i^L ln::n:hich proved fatal and he died Novem- 
ton, where he was attackea wuu ^ 



ber 15. 1878. 



984 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

Randall, Richard N., was born in the town of Coventry, Chenango county, N. Y., 
October 9, 1832, and died February 15, 1897. His childhood and youth were spent 
with his parents in his native town, and in New Ohio, where the family moved when 
he was yet a lad, where he learned the shoemaker's trade under the instruction of 
his father. In 1856 he moved to the village of Windsor, where he worked at his 
trade for about one year, thea entered the employ of James R. Belden as a clerk in 
his store. In the spring of 1860 he entered the employ of A. W. Coburn and began 
the work to which he gave the best part of his life, in the manufacture of whips ; he 
was soon made foreman of the factory. December 10, 1879, with F. L. Goodenough. 
he formed a copartnership and purchased the whip business of James G. Fisher, 
which they conducted to the time of his death. In 1886, under Mr. Goodenough' s 
patent they commenced the manufacture of carpet beaters as a side line. March 20, 
1893, the Coburn Whip Co. consolidated with the United States Whip Co. and Mr. 
Randall managed the affairs of the company at Windsor. He was a public-spirited 
man, identified with all advancements connected with the village and was a great 
worker and liberal supporter of the church. Mr. Randall married Mary E. , daughter 
of Rodney and Ann Guernsey. Mr. Randall was of most commanding personality, 
of persistent purpose, decided opinion, of few words, of generous impulses, of large 
heart and noble deeds, of sterling integrity and an upright Christian. 



Goodenough, Franklin L., was born near the village of Windsor, September 2, 
1849, a son of Jonas R. and Harriet (Knox) Goodenough, who had six children : Ed- 
ward, Adelbert, Francis, Franklin, Herbert and Hattie, natives of the town of 
Windsor. Mr. Goodenough's early life was spent with his parents; he was educated 
at Windsor Academy and when about nineteen years of age started in life for him- 
self as a dealer in meats and live stock, which he followed about one year. In 1869 
and 1870 he speculated in farm and timber lands and in 1871 was located in Ketch- 
umville as a clerk; in 1873 he entered the employ of the Coburn Whip Co. as travel- 
ing salesman, and in 1879 purchased a half interest and in fourteen years their prod- 
uct increased several times. The Coburn Whip Co. was consolidated with the 
United States Co. in 1893, and at the present time he is vice-president and director 
of the United States Whip Co. and manager of their interest at Windsor. He is a 
large land owner, having about 1,000 acres of farm and timber land. In 1893 Mr. 
Gooden'ough patented a carpet beater and has also patented several machines for the 
manufacture of whips. In the fall of 1874 he was married and has one son, Ralph 
A., who is now attending Princeton College. He has been actively interested in 
school and educational work and is a member of the Presbyterian Church, also a 
member of Windsor Lodge No. 442, F. & A. M. 



Kent, Eri (grandfather of the subject of this sketch), was the first of the Kent fam- 
ily to come to Broome county, coming here about 1800 with his family. His chil- 
dren were Ph'lo, Phila, Usebe, Laurie, Betsie, Malinda, Beacher, Emily, Lucinda. 
After Eri settled here he was followed by his father, Seth. Seth and Eri Kent were 
Revolutionary soldiers. Eri (the subject) now has the three hundred acres of land 
upon which his grandfather Eri settled in Windsor. Usebe's children were Johiel, 
Eri, Achsa, Malinda, Erastus, Berzella, Jane, Merritt and Charles. Useba was edu- 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. <»85 

cated in Connecticut and Windsor; by occupation he was a farmer and dealt in lum- 
ber on the Delaware river. When fifty- five years of age he moved to Binghamton. 
where he resided until his death. While in Binghamton he conducted a storage 
warehouse and carried on a commission business near the old canal. He lived in 
different parts of the city, but finally built a fine residence where he lived until his 
death. He was an active man in politics; was constable and deputy sheriff while he 
lived in Windsor and after he moved to Binghamton was elected sheriff. He mar- 
ried Patty Woodruff; they nad nine children. Brazille married Susan Day and had 
two children; he married, second, Kate FoUett; they had five children. Eri Kent 
was educated m the common schools of Windsor. When twenty-one years of age 
he engaged in farming and lumbering; he had at one time $162 which he had saved, 
and from that, through his own exertion, he is to-day the largest land owner in the 
town of Windsor, owning 2,200 acres, most of which is tillable. He has 100 cows, 
150 sheep, 20 horses and harvests 150 tons of hay. He has 20 head of yearlings 
growing to maturity; in the year 1898 he harvested 2,200 bushels of oats. Septem- 
ber 24, 1845, Mr. Kent married Amanda B. , daughter of Samuel and Betsey Adelia 
(Olmstead) Howell ; their children are Alice, wife of Eli Stowe; Jane, Charles, James, 
Nellie, Mary, Alida and Martha, and two deceased, Charles and George. Mr. Kent 
is actively interested in town and county affairs, also school and educational work 
and for over twenty years was trustee of the school. 



Quick, Simon P., one of the most prominent lumbermen in this section, who owes 
his success to his own industry and exertion, was born in the town of Rochester, 
N.Y., June 27, 1850, a son of James and Jane (Wheeler) Quick, and was one of four 
children: Simon P., Jeremiah R., Jacob M., and Annie M., wife of Edward Dwy, 
who is also a lumberman. Mr. Quick was educated in the common schools, but 
through his own exertion and study has acquired a fine practical education. His 
father died when he was young, and Simon P. being the oldest, the main support of 
the family fell on him and by hard work he managed to keep the family together. 
His first labors were on the Delaware and Hudson canal, where he received $3 for 
his first month's work, but through perseverance and pluck he attained a position 
where he could command a larger salary. He began in early life to speculate in 
timber lands and purchased a large tract of land in the towns of Windsor and Coles- 
ville, where he erected a saw mill and manufactured lumber. He soon became con- 
nected with the firm of Waite, Quick & Atwell, with whom he was associated for 
about two years; they employed from 50 to 150 men. Later he engaged in the mer- 
cantile business with John Davis & Co. He resided in Colesville until 1890. when 
he moved to Windsor, where he has since been engaged in the lumbering busi- 
ness and was for a short time proprietor of the Eagle Hotel, which he now owns but 
rents to other parties. Since Mr. Quick came in possession of the hotel it has been 
rebuilt and now has all the modern conveniences. He is a public-spirited man, be- 
ing connected with the improvements of the village; when the first water system was 
placed in the village he was one of the principal movers, and the village is indebted 
to him for its present new system of water works. January 1, 1871, Mr. Quick mar- 
ried Mary, daughter of William and Sally (Washburn) Bowen ; they have an adopted 
daughter, Bird Alice. Mr. Quick is a man who enjoys traveling and during 1896-7 



986 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

he traveled through England, Germany, France, Switzerland and Italy. He is edu- 
cated in music and a member of the Windsor band ; he is also a member of Windsor 
Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 442; Malta Commandery No. 21; Knights Templar of Bing- 
hamton, Zyara Temple of Union, Kallurah Temple of Binghamton, Mystic Shrine. 



i 



Wright, George H., was born in Madison, Madison county, N. Y. , August 28, 1855, 
a son of Henry and Ann M. (Law) Wright, whose children were Harriet, wife of 
David Fritchley; George H., Samuel A., Mary E., wife of Frank Cotton; Charles, 
Alton (deceased), and Alton, the latter born in Broome county. Henry Wright (son 
of Henry, who was a British soldier, of the 95th Foot Rifles, wounded at Bajados 
and a Victoria medallist, and Margaret Wright), came from Colchester, England, 
when twenty-four years old and settled in Oneida county, whence he removed in 
1867 to Colesville, where he was engaged in farming for thirty years, then moved to 
the town of Windsor, where he now lives retired. George H. Wright, when about 
two years of age, went to live with his aunt, Jemima Tokley, with whom he lived 
eight years, then returned to his parents. He assisted his father on the farm sum- 
mers and attended school winters and when twenty-four years of age engaged in 
farm work for himself. January 11, 1882, he married Sarah J., daughter of Charles 
and Selina Adams; they have one son, Lyman. Mr. Wright was associated with 
Charles Adams on the farm for many years; Mr. Adams died September 36, 1896, 
and his wife January 16, 1893. After Mr. Adams's death Mr. Wright purcha.sed the 
farm and now follows general farming. Mr. Adams was a brother of John Adams, 
who was known as " Grizzly Adams, the bear tamer." Mr. Wright is a public 
spirited man and is interested in all county affairs; he is an active worker in the M. 
E. church of Ouaquago; has been class leader eight years and superintendent of the 
Sunday school for twelve years. The Adams family are descendants of President 
Adams. 



Beach, Abel W., p. o address Itaska, N. Y. , was born in Barker, on the old 
homestead, March 12, 1836, a son of Charles B. , and grandson of Isaac L. Beach, a 
native of Connecticut, who died in Barker at the age of eighty-two years. Charles 
B. Beach was born m Connecticut in 1794 and in 1827 came to the farm Abel W. now 
owns, where he died in 1853; his wife was Fannie Mansir, daughter of Aaron Man- 
sir, a pioneer of Barker. Abel W. Beach was educated in the Binghamton Acad- 
emy and followed teaching a short time. He is a farmer and owns 207 acres of land. 
In 1858 Mr. Beach married Polly A Westover, who died in 1885; then he married 
Lucy A. Hine, who died in 1887, and third Mary E. Wooster In politics Mr. Beach 
is a Republican, has been supervisor four years; justice of the peace and justice of 
sessions. He is now serving his eighth term, making thirty-two years as justice of 
the peace. Mr. Beach is a member of the Grange, Good Templars and the M. E. 
church. 



Guernsey, Jacob, son of David Guernsey, was born in Schoharie in 1818 and came 
to Broome county with his parents. He was married to Elnor Snooks of Wind.sor, 
and to them six children were born ; she died in 1848, Lucy Ellen having died be- 
fore, and Alexander and Hannah a few years later, and three still living. Elizabeth 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 987 

Ritter lives at Riverside, Broome county; James lives at 23 Sturges street, Bing- 
hamton, is baggage master on the D., L. & W. R. R., and a Republican; Milo M. 
Guernsey was born in Kirkwood, N. Y., April 28, 1843, and was brought up by 
Henry Hall, his mother having died when he was about five years of age. At 
twenty-one years of age he began working by the month and in 1864 went to work 
for the government in a construction corps, serving about one year. He was en- 
gaged iu the saw mill business for ten years and has since then followed farming. 
In 1870 he bought the place he now owns, near Whitney's Point, N. Y., and followed 
general farming. In the same year, February 3, he married Amelia Pease (daughter 
of William and Eliza Pease), and they have one daughter, Ettie E.. born October 16, 
1874, married October 16, 1895, to Earl B. Eldridge of Barker. His father made it 
his home with him from 1886 until his death, which occurred February 6, 1888; he 
was a strong Democrat. Milo M. Guernsey is a Republican in politics and has 
served as highway commissioner for two years and assessor three years. He is a 
member of Pocahontas Tribe No. 81, of Whitney's Point, N. Y. 

Page, Frank H., was born November 13, 1858, educated in the common schools, 
and is one of the successful farmers of Barker, having lOU acres of land on which he 
follows general farming. In politics he is a Republican and has been collector and 
inspector In 1887 he married Minnie E. Lee of Castle Creek. Enos Page, his 
father was born in Chenango county, N. Y., October 6, 1826, a son of Stephen, and 
grandson of Stephen Page, born in England and came to America durmg the Revo- 
lutionary war and was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill. Stephen Page, jr., was 
born in the State of New York; his wife was Annie Wicks, and they had nme chil- 
dren Mr Page was in the war of 1812. Enos Page worked on the canal until 
eiehteen years old; he came to Barker in 1886, where he owns 130 acres of land and 
now lives retired. He married Malissa Crowel, by whom he had four children: 
Frank H , Alta A., Alfred E. and Adelbert E. 

Eeeleston 1 W., p. o Triangle, was born in Triangle, September 21, 1842, a son 
of Frederick C. and grandson of Fred E. Eggleston, who came from Connecticut to 
Triangle in 1806, and took up a farm. Frederick C. Eggleston was born in Connec- 
ticut in 1800, and came to Triangle with his parents. He was a leading farmer with 
130 acres of land. He married Lora Warner, daughter of Joseph Warner and they 
itd twe ve children, two now living. Mr. Eggleston died August 1. 1880. and his 
wife Z 1876 J W. Eggleston was reared on the farm and educated in the common 
:lol He his follolfd farming and lumbering and now has a farm of 300 acres. 
In 1864 he married Marian Shipman, and .heir children are Leland. Fred Frank 
Lydia wife of Wilson Hall of Oneida Lake and Came, wife of Dover Hubbard of 
THangir N. Y. In politics Mr. Eggleston is a Republican and has served as asses- 
Jor of Triangle for three years. He is a member of Triangle Grange and his family 
attend the Methodist church. 

Landers P H p o. Whitney Point, was born in Willett, Cortland county N Y 
Jute 13 1857,- and Educated in Uie Whitney Point academy ^arkeT aughT r o 
several years. In December, 1881, he married Libbie A. Starkey. daughter 



988 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

George M. Starkey, one of the early settlers of the town of Triangle. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Landers was born one daughter, Bessie M., born March 27, 1888. Mrs. Landers 
died April 4, 1888. Mr. Landers has lived in Triangle since 1881 and the village of 
Whitney Point for seven years. He was a farmer for several years, but at present is 
a speculator and buyer of produce, also deals in horses. Mr. Landers was super- 
visor of his town in 1880 and 1881 and is a member of the school board; also of 
Whitney Point lodge No. 795, F. & A M., and was master of Upper Lisle lodge. No. 
388 for two years. He attends and supports the Baptist church. He is interested 
in the progress and growth of the village. Marcellus Landers was born in Cortland 
county, N.Y., January 3, 1835, a son of Charles, son of John Landers, pioneer of Broome 
county, settling at Upper Lisle; his wife was Lottie Patterson. Charles Landers 
was born in Afton, Broome county; he was a farmer, in politics a Democrat and 
served as assessor many terms. His wife was Lucinda Shepherd, and they had two 
sons and one daughter. He was an extensive farmer, having about 600 acres of 
land. Marcellus Landers was reared on the farm and educated in the common 
schools; he came to Whitney Point from Upper Lisle in 1895 and now lives retired. 
He married Mary Ann Salisbury, and they had three children: P. H. Landers of 
Whitney Point; A. F., dealer in feed at Whitney Point; and Minnie L., wife of 
Adelbert S. Babcock. Mr. Landers is a Democrat in politics and has served as jus- 
tice of the peace of the town of Willett, Cortland county twelve years, also highway 
commissioner for a number of years. He is a member of Upper Lisle lodge, No. 
388, F. & A. iM. 



Dickinson, Cyrus, was born in Triangle, June 21, 1829, a son of Rockwell, and 
grandson of Seth Dickinson, who came from Connecticut to Triangle about 1800; he 
was a tanner by trade and shoemaker. Rockwell Dickinson was born in Connecti- 
cut and came to Triangle when a child three years old; he married Serepta Rose, by 
whom he had eight children, six now living. He was a farmer, shoemaker and tan- 
ner and served several years as assessor. Cyrus Dickinson was educated in the 
common schools and since then has followed farming. He married Harriet M. 
Ames, and they have one son, Frank L., of Syracuse, who is head bookkeeper for 
W. S Peck & Co. of that place. In politics Mr. Dickinson is a Republican. Frank 
L. married Georgia Waterman, and they have one son, Charles C. 



Youmans, A. H , of the firm of Seeber & Youmans, druggists, was born in De- 
posit. N. Y., June 11, 1851, a son of Isaac H. and Belinda A. (Austin) Youmans. Mr. 
Youmans was an only child and was reared and educated at Whitney's Point. Early 
in life he clerked for O. J. Pratt, druggist and banker of Whitney's Point, and in 
1876 was taken in as a partner and had charge of the drug department until 1880, 
when the firm dissolved and the firm of Seeber & Youmans was formed and has con- 
tinued in business since, it bemg one of the oldest drug firms in Broome countv, as it 
was started by O. J. Pratt some time m the Fifties, at Upper Lisle, N. Y. After the 
fire of 1897 the firm at once erected the building they at present occupy. In politics 
Mr. Youmans is a Republican. He was secretary of Whitney's Point fire depart- 
ment many years and treasurer of Broome County Agricultural Society for five years. 
He has been a member of the board of education for a number of years; is also a 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 080 

member of Whitney's Point Lodge No. 795, F. & A. M. Mr. Youmans was first 
married to Stella Seeber, daughter of James D. Seeber. in 1878. She died about two 
years after marriage and in 1885 he married Mary E. Cary, daughter of John and 
Adaline Cary of Union, N. Y. ; their children are Stella, aged ten; John, aged eight, 
and Mildred, aged seven. Whatever has been for the best interests of the town has 
had Mr. Youmans' hearty support and he also is interested in business enterprises 
elsewhere. 

Whitney, A. R., was born in the village of Triangle, April 0, 1847, a son of Dexter 
and Eliza Whitney, mentioned in this work. He was reared on a farm and educated 
in the common schools. He is farming, and a breeder of thoroughbred Jersey cat- 
tle and is engaged with his brother, William D. Whitney, dealmg in and breeding 
fancy poultry, an occupation they have followed for the past seventeen years. In 
politics he is a Republican and has frequently been elected to office in his town, and 
was appointed deputy sheriff under the administration of Sheriff Ockerman. He is 
now postmaster at Triangle. He was made a Mason in Western Light Lodge. 
located in the village of Lisle, and is now a member of Whitney Point Lodge No. 
795 being a charter member, aqd was elected master two years in succession, de- 
clining further honors. He was made a Mason at the age of twenty-two in the year 
1868 In 1864 Mr. Whitney enlisted in Co. M. 1st N. Y. Vet. Cavalry, an^ s^y.^ed 
until the close of the war. He married Marintha C. Baker, a daughter of William 
Baker of Triangle. They have two children: E. B. Whitney, the present schoo 
commissioner of the Second District, and Nora M., wife of Eugene f^- P^eps of 
Binehamton N. Y. Mr. Whitney's brother, William D.. was born in Triangle v.l- 
lac^e January 9, 1849, educated in the common schools, and for a time was engaged 
in^he mercantile business in Triangle and has since been engaged in the fancy 
poultry business with his brother, A. R. Whitney, for the past seventeen years In 
SoUtcs he is a Republican, has served as and is now justice of the peace and was 
'nc T-'ce of sessions. He is also an F. & A. Mason and ^^^^^^^f ^^^^Z 
Lieht Lodge No. 126, located at Greene, Chenango county, N. \ Mr. Whitney 
mafrLd Ma'ry R. Parsons. They have had three children. NinaM., Fayette W. and 
OraV. (deceased). 

Bunnell R P was born in Greene. Chenango county. N. Y.. April 21. 1855. a 
son ^Edward Bunnell, a machinist of Smithville. Mr. Bunne„ was educa ed 
Pouehkeepsie at Eastman's Business College, graduating in 18.o. He then went to 
CalifornTa'and was receiver for the City R. R. Company ^^^J^^J^^^^^^^^^^ ^ 

out with a surveying party ^^z^:^^ ^::^:zT:^:::^:r^^ ^:^n 

ment. land and -n-a surv ^o '.e ^^^^^^^^^^ '^^^^^.^ ,,^ ,,,,. P,,,, ,,,„, 

of^a^s and flwgre^al farm In 1885 Mr. Bunnell married Nettie Par- 

Is of Fenton by v7hom he had four children : Georgia. Fred. Florence and Mar>^ 
n pontic Mr Bunnell is a Republican, has been collector three years, constable ^ve 
in poiiuch ii notary public. He is a member of the I. O. 

O TaTsXi:: : Pa :„■; C.e„tgo T.Lli Red M.n at Port Crane Mr. Bun- 
°ein, on tt staff „£ the Broome Co„„ty HeraM. and has he.d respons.ble pos.t.ons 
with the West WinfieM Star and Chenango Telegraph. 



990 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

North, W. T., was born in Silver Lake, Susquehanna county. Pa., October 2, 1833, a 
son of Anthony and Hannah North, who emigrated from England m 1818. He was 
a Republican and served as town treasurer. W. T. North is a farmer; he came to 
Broome county in 1874, and lived in Binghamton one year, at Port Dickinson four 
years, and then moved to the town of Fenton, where he has since resided. In poli- 
tics he is a Republican and has served as assessor for six years. In 1865 he married 
Sarah Beale, who was born in England in 1834 and came to America with her parents, 
William and Hannah Beale, in 1841. W. T. North and wife have had four children: 
Tracy W. was born in 1867, educated at Brockport Normal School, and is now fore- 
man in the Wales Goodyear Rubber Manufacturing Company ; Robert B., educated 
at Brockport Normal, is now engaged with the Wales Goodyear Company ; Frank J., 
educated at Oneonta Normal School, is a farmer; and Carrie A , deceased. 



Page, Richard, was born in Chenango county, town of Greene, February 20, 1815, 
a son of Jarred, and grandson of Jarred Page, who came fr9m Connecticut in an 
early day to Chenango county. Jarred Page, jr., married May Sprague, who died 
March 7, 1875; they had six daughters and two sons, Richard the only one living. 
Richard Page was educated in the common schools, and has since followed farming. 
In 1877 he purchased the place on which he now lives, three and one-half miles from 
Binghamton. In 1838 he married Polly Winston and they had two children: Orrin 
J. and Almira. Mrs. Page died in 1850, and he married, second, Charlotte Burrows, 
by whom he had one son, Charles W. Orrin J. married Clarissa Beman, and for 
his second wife, Alice Kelley. Charles W. married Ida E. Rowe, and had one son, 
Arthur, who married Harriet Volk. 



Glezen, John Jesse. — Ezra Whitelsy Glezen, great-grandfather of John Jesse, was 
born in Stockbridge, Mass., and was an early settler of Lisle, settling the farm where 
the subject was born ; his wife was Wealthy Hawley and their children were Mar- 
cena, Marcellus, Caroline, Ezra, Solomon, Benjamin, Angeline, Levi and Wealthy. 
The name of Whitelsy is a family name taken from Ezra's mother, whose brother 
was a captain in the Revolutionary war. Marcena Glezen, grandfather of John 
Jesse, was born January 6, 1797, and died in 1875 ; he married Matilda Briggs, and 
their children were Jane M., Marshall M., Jarvis, Emma A., John Carver and 
Charles A. John Carver's wife was Martha Ann Brown, who died October 8, 1873, 
aged thirty-six years; they had five children: William J., born August 6, 1859; 
James H., born October 15, 1862; John Jesse (as above), Orrin R., born March 18. 
1872; and Martha Ann, born September 20, 1873. John Carver married for his sec- 
ond wife Jane Woolford, a native of Orleans county, born August 15, 1847; their 
children were Sophia E., born February 16, 1878; Andrew W., born May 4, 1882; 
and Joseph W., born September 4, 1888. John Jesse, the subject, was born Decem- 
ber 1, 1865, and educated in the common schools. He bought and sold stock, which 
he shipped to New York and owned and operated a grocery store for one year. Jan- 
uary 1, 1889, he engaged in partnership with Frank Hotailing, conducting the Crj's- 
tal Spring Creamery at Center Lisle. He married Cora A. Potter, born February 
15, 1870, and they have one daughter, Alice Rosalie, born October 29, 1887. 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. <J91 

Theleman, Chauncey W., was born March 15, 1843, the son of Henry F. and Eliza- 
beth (Oliver) Theleman. Henry F. Theleman was born in Hanover, Germany, Feb- 
ruary 14, 1803, and at the age of nineteen emigrated to America, landing in New 
York. He was a miller by trade, and was first employed at Cooperstown, N. Y., 
where he remained six years and where he married Elizabeth, daughter of Richard 
Oliver; she was born June 8, 1811. From Cooperstown Mr. Theleman removed to 
Millville, Broome county, thence to Union, thence to Slaterville, and thence to Berk- 
shire, working at his trade in all these places. From Berkshire, in 1846. he moved 
upon the farm of 200 acres now owned by his son Chauncey, situated in the south- 
western part af the town of Lisle, which he conducted, spending a portion of his 
time at dressing millstones in Binghamton and other places at lucrative wages. He 
died on his f.arm November 18, 1868, and his widow died July 9, 1873. They had 
seven children, four of whom reached maturity, as follows: 1, Mary L. , born Jan- 
uary 29, 1835, died March 7, 1883, the wife of Morris Councilman, leaving one child, 
Willis; 2, Henry C, born December 11, 1836, married Louisa Sweet and had seven 
children, viz., Mary L., deceased, Fred, deceased, Frank, William, deceased, Libbie, 
Bert and Bertha; 3, Hiram W.. born April 6, 1841, died February 30. 1895, married 
Helen Copley, who bore him two children: Adah and Mary; married, second, Alace 
Hoag, by whom he had one child, Carrie; 4, Sally L. , born July 6, 1838, died Octo- 
ber 12, 1839; 5, Chauncy W., the subject of this sketch; 6, George F., born Novem- 
ber 10, 1844; died September 13, 1846; 7, George F., born August 8, 1848, died De- 
cember 4, 1859. Chauncey W. Theleman was a farmer until seventeen years ago. 
At the death of his mother in 1873 he bought the homestead, and in 1882 leased the 
Mansion House at Lisle and after a year and a half purchased it, changed the name 
■-.o Hotel Dudley (from a Mr. Dudley, who was a relative of his wife and a pioneer of 
Broome county) and has since conducted it. He was president of Lisle village in 
1897, and is a member of Western Light lodge No. 597, F. & A. M. On June 24, 
1860, he was married to Caroline M. (born in Nanticoke, February 18, 1845). daugh- 
ter of Horace (died June 16, 1869) and Phoebe (Morse) Walter, natives of Massachu- 
setts. They had but one child. Ransom R., born May 28, 1861, died August 10, 1891. 
He married Minnie Oliver, who bore him three children, viz. : Herman W., born De- 
cember 24, 1881; Walter E., born October 11, 1883; and Callia U., born June 21. 
1889. Herman and Walter reside with their grandfather, the subject of this article, 
and Callia U. resides with her mother, who married, second, John R Riley, agent 
of the D., L. & W. railroad at Whitney's Point. 



Mersereau, M. L., was born in Union, July 7, 1846, a son of Samuel A. and Sophia 
H., daughter of Major David Mersereau. He was educated in the common and 
commercial schools, is interested in farmmg, and is also one of the leadmg local 
salesmen for farm implements for the McCormick Machine Co. Mr. Mersereau is a 
Mason and has served as trustee of the village. He married Clara M. Barlow, 
daughter of Mrs. Frank Dunning; they have one son, Floyd A. Mr. Mersereau is 
one of Union's representative business men, of sterling integrity and is identified 
with the best interests of his town. 

Olmsted, William, jr., was born in Woodstock, Vt., December 13, 1845. His 



992 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

father, William Olmsted, was a native of Vermont and was a tinsmith. He came to 
Broome county in. 1840. He married Caroline Palmer of Hanover, New Hampshire, 
and their children are Ellen Olmsted Fairchilds, Caroline Olmsted Mersereau, Sarah, 
Mattie, Charley and Emma Olmsted Foster. Mr. Olmsted died in 1880, aged seventy- 
two years. William Olmsted, jr., was educated in the common schools and Cazeno- 
via Seminary. He then enlisted in the 1st N. Y. Cavalry and served one year. He 
came to Union and engaged in the stove and tinware business and was elected jus- 
tice of the peace one term. Mr. Olmsted, jr., married Ermina, daughter of Jesse 
Woughter of Union, N. Y. Mr. Olmsted, jr., is one of Union's representative busi- 
ness men, of sterling integrity, and is identified with the best interests of his town. 



Mersereau, Dudley S , was born in Union, October 17, 1863, a son of Seymour and 
Mary Easton Mersereau. His father was one of the oldest engineers on the Erie 
railroad. Mr. Mersereau was educated in the Union schools and served two years 
in the Union News printing office. In 1883 he went to Michigan and engaged in 
railroading, then to Montana and in 1884 came to Union and traveled on the road 
until 1893, when he engaged in the insurance business. Mr. Mersereau was ap- 
pointed postmaster in 1897 and reappointed in 1900. He married Eva R., daughter 
of David Whitney. Mr. Mersereau was one of the organizers of the Valley Hose 
Company, also the Central New York Volunteer Firemen's Association. 



Merrihew, S. H., p. o. Lestershire, was born in Halsey Valley, Tioga county, April 
17, 1857. His father, Steven D. Merrihew, was a native of Tioga county and was a 
minister of the Christian church ; he married Elizabeth Breasley, and died m 1863. 
S. H. Merrihew was educated in the common schools and engaged in the barber's 
business in Cooperstown. February 18, 1893, he came to Lestershire and started a 
barber shop. Mr. Merrihew is a member of the Red Men and Odd Fellows. He 
married Hattie H., daughter of George W. Langdon. Mr. Merrihew is one of Les- 
tershire's representative business men, of sterling integrity and has always been 
identified with the best interests of his town. 



Hoi yoke, George W., p. o. Lestershire, was born in Marlboro, Mass., March 13, 
1854. His father, William W. Holyoke, was a native of Massachusetts and followed 
the shoemakiug trade all his life, being foreman for twenty-seven years in one fac- 
tory. He married Augusta M. Parker of Westboro, who died March 26, 1867; he 
died September 10, 1898. George W. Holyoke was educated in the common schools 
and has always been engaged in the shoe business, being sixteen years in one fac- 
tory and was foreman in one of the departments for six years. February 16, 1893, 
he came to Lestershire and is foreman of one of the departments of the shoe factory 
there. He was elected trustee of Lestershire Union School in 1898 and is one of the 
trustees and treasurer of the M. E. church. He married Alice L., daughter of Dan- 
iel and Alma Phipps, of Holliston, Mass., and their children are Ralph W., Alma A., 
Alice L. and Ernestine L. Mr. Holyoke is one of Lestershire' s representative busi- 
ness men, of sterling integrity and has always been identified with the best interests 
of his town. 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 993 

Barton, Dr. S. Taylor, p. o. Lestershire, was born at Apalachin in Tioga county. 
July 13, 1864, a son of J. J. and Katherine (Lane) Barton. His father was a native 
of Schoharie county and came to Broome county in 1830. Dr. Barton was educated 
in the common schools, Columbia Medical College, University of New York, and the 
Kentucky School of Medicine in Louisville, Ky. He practiced for five years in Pitts- 
ton, Pa., and was surgeon for the Lehigh Valley Coal Co. He came to Lestershire 
in" 1898, and is one of the leading physicians of the town. In 1897 Dr. Barton mar- 
ried Nellie, daughter of Francis B. Allen. Dr. Barton received from Gov. Black, on 
September 28, 1898, the commission as assistant surgeon of the 20th Separate Co. 
Infantrv. 



La Motte, Ferdinand, was born in Pennsylvania, in October, 1844, and educated 
in Lawrenceville, N. J. He moved to Louisville, Ky. , where he remained for thirty 
years and in 1894 came to Lestershire and engaged in the paper and folding box 
business. 



Ford, William L., was born in Middleville, Herkimer county, in 1820. His father, 
Daniel Ford, was a native of Albany county; he married Elizabeth Scott of Massa- 
chusetts, and they had eight children. William L. was educated in the common 
schools and began clerking in a general store in Oneida county at the age of sixteen. In 
January, 1841, he came to Binghamton and was a clerk for five years; in 1846 he re- 
moved to Deposit and engaged in the mercantile business, which he carried on for 
fifty-one years. In 1852 Mr. Ford was elected member of assembly and re elected 
in 1872 and 1873 ; also was supervisor for one year. Mr. Ford married Sarah, daugh- 
ter of Major A. Morgan, who died soon after, and later he married Sarah C. Ward, 
who bore him three children: Sarah E., Anna W. and A. Ward. Mrs. Ford died m 
1877. 



Hurlburt, George E., was born in Broome county, December 5, 1841, a son of 
John, and grandson of Rev. William Hurlburt, who was born in Connecticut and 
came to Broome county at a very early day. Rev. John Hurlburt was born in Con- 
necticut and came to Broome county when a boy; he married Susan Brizzee, and 
they had three sons and three daughters. Mr. Brizzee served in the war of 1812. 
George E. Hurlburt has a farm of 100 acres and follows farming. August 12, 1866, 
he married Julia Brizzee, and they have had the following children; Cora M. (de- 
ceased), J. Edward, A. Leon (deceased) and Harry J. Mr. Hurlburt is an active Re- 
publican and has served as bridge commissioner and inspector of election and for 
three years was deputy sheriff. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. D. 27th N. Y. Vol. Infan- 
try, and served until 1863; he re-enlisted in Co. D. 5th N. Y. Cavalry, and served un- 
til the close of the war, making about four years' service. J. Edward Hurlburt was 
educated in the common schools and Aftou Union School, also is a graduate from 
Lowell's Business College ; he is at present school commissioner of the first district of 
Broome county. 

Jones, Lewis, was born in the town of Kirk wood, July 25, 1832. a son of Elias and 
63 



994 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

Mary Lewis Jones, who had eleven children: Richard, Amelia, Elizabeth, George, 
Edward, Marj' Jane, Margaret, Lewis, Elias, Catherine, Eliza and Charles, all born 
in Kirkwood. Elias was a son of William, who came here with his family from New 
Jersey. By occupation he followed lumbering and farming. Lewis Jones was edu- 
cated in the common schools of the town of Kirkwood. When ten years of age he 
was thrown on his own resources; for a short time he lived with his brother, then 
started out for himself. When sixteen years of age he came to Binghamton, where 
he learned the blacksmith trade and worked at it for ten years. In 1855 Mr. Jones 
went to California, where he was employed at his trade; in 1860 he returned to Kirk- 
wood. In 1861 Mr. Jones married Permelia, daughter of James I. and Perraelia 
Berkalew. In 1863 he engaged in the general merchandise business which he car- 
ried on for nine years, then sold out and has since given his time to farming. He is 
interested in the affairs of his town and county and has served as justice of the peace 
two terms. 



Paige, Eugene E., was born on the farm he owns in Chenango, September 7, 1861, 
a son of John, and grandson of Tyrus Paige, born March 20, 179-1, one of the pioneers 
of Chenango who cleared about 350 acres of land; he married Fannie Birdsall, who 
was born March 5, 1788, and died May 17, 1849. John Paige was born in Chenango 
and there lived until his death in 1897, aged seventy-six. John married Alice, 
daughter of Henry Lyon ; they had five children, all now living. Mrs. Paige died in 
April, 1899, aged seventy-one years. Eugene E. Paige is a farmer and owns 157 
acres of land. In 1887 Mr. Paige married Carrie E. Siver, by whom he had two 
children:- Walter R. and Mildred I. Mr. Paige's great-grandfather, Isaac Paige, 
settled on Paige Brook, town of Fenton, Broome county, about 1825 and later came 
to the town of Chenango, locating on what is now the Thomas farm ; he died in 
Ohio. Mrs. Paige was a daughter of James and Jane (Carey) Siver, she a daughter 
of Walter Carey, who came from Dutchess county to Chenango in 1856, and died in 
1887. James Siver is now living in Schenevus; his wife died in 1889. 



Livermore, Alfred, p. o. Lisle, is of English descent. His grandfather, Brigham 
Livermore, came from Massachusetts to Spencer and engaged in farming; he died 
in 1890, aged eighty-four. His wife was Rebecca Fenner, born in Bristol, R. I., in 
1810, and died in 1852; their children were George B., born in 1834; Asa Ackerman, 
born in 1836; William Byron, born in 1838; James Roswell, born in 1840; Maryette, 
born in 1843; Wallace, born in 1848; Louis, born in 1852. Alfred Livermore was 
educated in the common schools and Lowell Business College of Binghamton. He 
commenced business in Lisle in 1894, with Eugene Davis, and later rented the place 
of Geo. F. O'Neill, H. Edwards and A. J. Wattles, trustees of the Davis estate, and 
continued the publication of the paper known as The Lisle Gleaner, which was 
started in 1871. On January 15, 1899, Mr. Livermore bought the e.stablishment and 
improved the paper in many ways. In October, 1897, Mr. Livermore went south 
and worked on the Norfolk Pilot and Hampshire Monitor until June, 1898. He mar- 
ried Theresa Ahern, a native of Whitney Point, born September, 1875. • 



Pixley, James B., was born in Chenango county, May 25, 1846, a son of Asa and 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 995 

Fannie (Kelley) Pixley. He was educated in the common schools and in 1H76 bought 
the farm heowns at Barker of 100 acres, and follows general farming; he also owns a 
farm on Connecticut Hill of 123 acres, another of 41, making a total of 263 acres. In 
politics Mr. Pixley was at first a Republican, but is now a Democrat. In 1873 he 
married Edith Abbott; they had eight children, all now living: Charles A., Carrie. 
Addie, Frank, James B., Jennie, Louie and Lemmie. Carrie married Charles Sher- 
wood of Chenango county; they have two children: Hugh and Mabel. 



Groat, S. J., was born in Albany county, N. Y., August 3, 1823, a son of John S., 
and grandson of Simon Groat, who lived and died in Albany county. John S. Groat 
was a farmer and in politics a Democrat; his wife was Mary A. Jacobson. by whom 
he had three children, S. J. the only one living. S. J. Groat was educated in the 
common schools and followed carting in Albany county for some years. In 1870 he 
came to Harpursville and bought the hotel which he still owns. He was in Bing- 
hamtou from 1860 to 1870. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. C. 27th N. Y. Vols., and served 
for two years; he was at Bull Run and other prominent battles. He was appointed 
to special duty under Gen. Slocum. Mr. Groat followed railroading for some years 
after the war. December 25, 1863. he married Hattie Stewart. 

Black, Eli B., was born on the old homestead on Oak Hill, near Castle Creek, 
N. Y., May 3, 1840. His father was George W. Black, who came to Oak Hill about 
1825, and purchased about 600 acres of land ; he died when Eli was quite young. 
After his father's death Eli went to Du Page county. 111., later came to Geneva. 
where he worked in the Danforth Reaper factory. While here his mother died and 
in 1853 he went to California, where he followed mining one year and in Orleans Hotel 
as clerk five years; he met some very narrow escapes from the Indians on his route. 
He was one of a company of eight who hired out at St. Louis to a company to drive 
cattle to California; they started with 2,000 head of cattle and it is interesting to 
hear him relate his experience. In 1859 he went up the Frazer river during the 
greatest gold mining excitement ever known; from there he returned to San Fran- 
cisco and home to New York by way of the Isthmus of Panama, reaching New York 
January 3. 1860. He then learned the carpenter's trade and came to Whitney's 
Point, where he was employed for some time. August 14. 1862. he enlisted in Co. E. 
137th Regiment, with Capt. Milo B. Eldridge in command, and was in the battles of 
Chancellorsville', Gettysburg and others. He received an honorable discharge at 
Washington. June 25. 1865, and then went West, where he was brakeman and con- 
ductor for four years. In 1869 he went to Castle Creek and assisted in building both 
churches and the school house. In 1870 he came to Whitney's Point, where he has 
since resided. In 1882 he was doing a large business as builder and contractor, employ- 
ing from thirty to forty men. In one year he erected the Beach House. Jake Burg- 
hardt and Milo Eldridge houses, and houses owned by A. J. Youmans and J. P. 
Wells- also a number of other houses. In 1885 he opened an insurance office, which 
has since been his principal occupation. In 1862 Mr. Black married Elvira Monroe, 
who died in 1889 leaving four children: Henry, now of Utica, Myrta McCoUum of 
Norwich May and Frank at home. June 8. 1898, Mr. Black married Mrs. Prentice. 
Mr Black is an ardent Republican and in 1883 was. appointed postmaster, holding 



996 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

office three years; he was appointed again in 1889 and m 1898. Mr. Black is cer- 
tainly one of the most prominent and influential Republicans in Northern Broome 
county. He has been supervisor one term ; commander of Eldridge Post seventeen 
years; was first senior warden of Masonic Lodge and has been noble grand of the 
I. O. O. F. 

Hill, Walter A., p. o. Lestershire, was born in Alpine, N. Y., March 9, 1873. His 
father, Ferris Hill, was a native of Alpine and was a carpenter and joiner. He came 
to Lestershire in 1895, and is heel trimmer in the Lestershire Manufacturing Co. 
He married Louise Hall, and their children are Ella S., Willis J., and Walter A. 
Walter A. Hill was educated in the common schools and then worked in the shoe 
factory at Lestershire. He learned the watch and jewelry business with S. R. Weed 
of Binghamton and is now engaged in the jewelry business in Lestershire. He 
married Clara, daughter of S. A. Leonard of Smith Valley, N. Y., and they have 
one son, Walter P. Mr. Hill is one of the leading business men of Lestershire, of 
sterling integrity and is identified with the best interests of his town. 



Childs, Frank J., was born in Chenango county, August 21, 1850, a son of Orrin 
W. and Betsey Ann (Fairchild) Childs, the eldest of three children: Frank J., Charles 
and John S. Mr. Childs was educated in the common schools, assisting his father 
on the farm summers and attending school winters. When twenty-four years of age 
he married Susan E., daughter of Daniel W. Squires, and at that time purchased 
the farm where he now lives and follows general farming. He is actively interested 
in town and county affairs; also in school and educational work. His father, at the 
time of the war of 1861-5, was a resident of Chenango county and served as a re- 
cruiting officer. Mr. Childs is a member of the Ouaquaga Tribe of Red Men, No. 94, 
and has held most of the offices of the lodge. 



Branday, F. C, editor of Whitney's Point Reporter, was born in Coventry, N. Y. , 
September 19, 1860, a son of M. D. Branday, formerly editor of the Reporter, tak- 
ing charge of the paper in 1876. F. C. Branday was educated for a teacher, but 
only followed that profession a short time and engaged in the printing business in 
partnership with his father in 1878, and so continued until the death of his father on 
January 18, 1893. Since that time there has been a steady growth of the Reporter 
until Its present circulation is 2,100, and ten people are regularly employed in the 
business. It takes a capital of $10,000 to carry on the business. The aim of the pro- 
prietor is to make this paper one of the leading newspapers of the time. Mr. Bran- 
day is interested in public affairs; is a member of the board of education; president 
of the Chenango, Barker, Fenton and Triangle Sunday School Association; secre- 
tary of the Masonic Lodge; an active member of the Presbyterian church and con- 
nected with other organizations. In June, 1883, Mr. Branday married Hattie J., 
youngest daughter of Charles and Lucinda (Stewart) Johnso'n ; they have two chil- 
dren, Charlie M. and Alice Lucinda. 



Evarts, Andrew, was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., April 25, 1847, a son of 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 097 

Washington C. and Esther (Tyler) Evarts, and was educated in the common schools. 
In 1863 he enlisted in the army in Co. I, of the 179th Vols., and was honorably dis- 
charged in May, 1865. He was car inspector for the Lehigh Valley Railroad for a 
time, then engaged in the grocery business for seven years, and in November, 1889, 
came to Lestershire and built a store in which he carried on the same business. He 
is now engaged in the real estate business and is general agent for the New Orange 
Industrial Association. Mr. Evarts married Ann. daughter of Isaac and Leora Os- 
born of Spencer, N. Y. Mr. Evarts is one of Lestershire's representative business 
men, of sterling integrity, and is identified with the best interests of the town. 



Hill, Joseph, was born in Cornwall, England, March 14, 1870, and educated in the 
common schools and Wyoming Seminary. He was coal inspector at Scranton, Pa., 
and later local auditor for the D., L. & W. R. R. at Binghamton, resignmg that po- 
sition on account of ill health. In 1894 he came to Lestershire and engaged in the 
grocerv business. Mr. Hill's father. Rev. William J. Hill, pastor of the Chenango 
street Methodist Episcopal church of Binghamton. was born m Rio Janeiro, Brazil, 
May 13. 1823. He was educated in Kingswood school, a Wesleyan institution in 
Bristol, England, where he pursued his theological studies, remaining there until 
1868. He joined the ministry of the Methodist church in England and served there 
three years, coming to America in 1870. He joined the Wyoming Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal church and settled first at Fortyfort, Pa. In 1891 he was ap- 
pointed to the charge of the Chenango Street Methodist church in Binghamton. 

Dalley, William, jr., p. o. Lestershire, was born in Newfield, Tompkins county, N. 
Y. October 11, 1853. His father, William Dalley, was a native of Somerset. Eng- 
land born in 1793. and came to New Jersey in 1830 where he engaged in the hard 
wood lumber business, and later came to Newfield, where he engaged in farming. 
He married Harriet Van Chef, and died December 24, 1870. William Dalley, jr., 
was educated in the common schools and then engaged in the grocery business in 
Ithaca, N. Y. December 38. 1889. he came to Lestershire and worked m the shoe 
factory. Later he built the Hotel Erie and is now engaged in the hotel business. 
Mr. Dalley married Hannah Hallett of Canisteo, N. Y. 

Graves, E. T.. p. o. Lestershire. was born in Owego, Tioga county. July 16, 1867. 
His father, Chester Graves, was a native of Little Meadows and followed farming; 
he married Zilpha J. Talmage, and their children were Gertrude Grace Cole of 
Greeley, Iowa, Chester W. and E. T. E. T. Graves was educated in Owego 1< ree 
Academy and the Normal School at Cortland, from which he was graduated in De- 
cember. 1891. He came to Lestershire in 1892. as principal of the Lestershire Union 
School, which at that time had about ninety pupils and to-day has 403. On June 24, 
1896 Mr Graves made application and was admitted to the University of the State 
of New York. He has been verv successful in his school work and the building has 
been enlarged more than one-half. Mr. Graves married Helen, daughter of Robert 
Doubleday. He is one of Lestershire's representative men. of sterling integrity, and 
is identified with the best interests of his town. 



998 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

Stalker, W. M., p. o. Lestershire, was born in Owego, Tioga county, N. Y. , Jan- 
uary 24, 1862. His father, Gersham Stalker, was a native of Albany county, and 
was always engaged in farming. He came to the town of Union in 1872. He mar. 
ried Lucretia Coe, and their children were Wallace and Wallace R. , both deceased ; 
Francis, W. M., Frederick O., Harry O. and Clara M. Stalker Wilber. W. M. Stal- 
ker was educated in the common schools in the town of Union, and has been engaged 
in farming, building and contracting. He served on the board of health for three 
years, and in 1898 was unanimously elected trustee of the village of Lestershire for 
two years. Mr. Stalker married Ida, daughter of Charles Berkley, and they have 
one daughter, Ethel M. W. Grant. Mr. Stalker is one of Lestershire's representa- 
tive business men, of sterling integrity and has always been identified with the best 
interests of his town. 



Spies, Max, p. o. Lestershire, was born in Germany, August 17, 1862. His father, 
Anton Spies, was a native of Germany and came to Lestershire in 1896, where he 
engaged in the jewelry business with his son ; he married Anna Vogil of Germany. 
Max Spies was educated in the common schools and learned the jewelry business. 
In 1896 he came to Lester.shire and started the leading jewelry store in the town^ 
He married Elizabeth Ruppert of Callicoon, Sullivan county, and they are the par- 
ents of Anton, Lena and Adalaide, Mr. Spies is an upright business man and re- 
spected by his fellow townsmen. 



McFetrich, Henry, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., October 2, 1862. His father, 
James McFetrich, was a native of Philadelphia and a carpenter by trade. He mar- 
ried Martha Stewart, and died in 1890. Henry McFetrich was educated in the high 
school and was a traveling salesman for fifteen years. He came to Lestershire in 
July, 1897, and started a grocery and oyster business; in 1898 he bought the Lester- 
shire Creamery and in January, 1899, he bought the East Maine Creamery, and his 
success as a business man is phenomenal. He started in business with a capital of 
$2.48 and with an account of $8, and by paying close attention to business has brought 
and made his business what it is to-day. Some of the business men have offered 
him big money for one-half interest in his creamery on account of his great success. 



Roberts, Dr. Charles P., was born in the town of Windsor, N. Y., June 5, 1872. 
His father, James L. Roberts, was a native of Delaware county, N. Y. , and was 
identified as a farmer. He was elected supervisor of Windsor and was commissioner 
of the town. In 1849 he went to California and engaged in the lumber and mining 
business for eighteen years. He married Contenta E. Coon of Scranton, Pa. , and 
their children were James H., William H., John B. (who died in California in 1865, 
aged seven years), Frank (who died in 1871, aged eleven years), Archibald K. and 
Charles P. Mr. Roberts died in September, 1896. Dr. Roberts was educated in 
Windsor Union School and Academy and Long Island College. He came to Lester- 
shire in July, 1897, and has since been identified as one of the leading doctors of the 
town. 



Caldwell, J. C. , p. o. Lestershire, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y. , December 19, 1842. 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 999 

His father, Robert Caldwell, was a native of Hudson, N. Y., and was identified as a 
carpenter, a large contractor and builder. He married Hannah Decker, of Copake, 
N. Y. , and they were the parents of Robert, Eugene and J. C. Mr. Caldwell died 
November 12, 1885. J. C. Caldwell was educated in the common schools and was an 
office bojrfor Cornelius Vanderbilt in the steamship company, and later he engaged 
in the carpenter business, serving twelve years. In 1808 he went west and served 
for six years in the engineer corps of the B. & M. R. R. He returned east in 1874, 
locating in Centre Lisle, Broome county, where he engaged in the barber business. 
March 24, 1890, he came to Lestershire and started the first barber shop of the town 
and is to-day the leading, as well as the oldest barber in the profession. In January, 
1891, he joined the J. R. Diment Chemical Engine Co., and is one of its most active 
members, having served nine years in the Brooklyn fire department and five years in 
the De Grow Hook & Ladder Co. ; he served two years in the Lestershire lire depart- 
ment and then was elected to second assistant engineer, and the next year the first 
engineer. He is also a member of WiUawanna Tribe of Red Men No. 183, of Les- 
ter.shire. Mr. Caldwell married Ruth L. Joiner, and they have one son, Harry C. 
Mr. Caldwell is one of Lestershire's pioneers, a man of sterling integrity and has al- 
ways been identified with the best interests of the town. 



Brougham, I. D., was born in Tioga county, N. Y., September 27, 18G6, son of 
Lewis and Harriet E. (Kettell) Brougham, and was educated in the common schools. 
He clerked in a store for one year and in 1880 he came to Union Center and engaged 
in the mercantile business. He was appointed postmaster under Harrison and 
again under McKinley, and has been justice of the peace for four years. He is a 
member of the Masons, Odd Fellows and Red Men. Mr. Brougham married Hattie. 
daughter of L. H. Ketchum, and they are the parents of one daughter, Anna May. 
Mr. Brougham is one of Union's representative business men, of sterling integrity 
and is identified with the best interests of his town. 



Derby, James L., was born in South Weymouth, Mass., July 10, 1859. His father, 
Loring W. Derby, was superintendent in a shoe factory, a prominent member of the 
Knights of Honor and Royal Arcanum ; he married Sarah M. Holbrook, who bore 
him two sons. Mrs. Derby died in 1889. James L. Derby was educated in the com- 
mon schools of Elmira and was employed in the cutting department of the shoe 
factory for ten years and in 1889 came to Binghamton and engaged in the shoe 
factory of Harry Lester; in 1890 he came to Lestershire, where he was employed by 
the Lestershire Shoe Co. In 1898 Mr. Derby bought out the r'' T. Farrell & Co. 
drug store and is now conducting the leading drug store in Lestershire. He has 
been village trustee for one term and in 1899 was elected treasurer of the village. He 
is a member of the G. Harry Lester Hook & Ladder Company and has been foreman 
of the company for five years; he is a member of the Odd Fellows, Knights and 
Maccabees. Mr. Derby married Kate Ritchie; their children are Grace E. and 
Mary L. Mr. Derby is a representative business man, of sterling character and is 
always identified with the best interests of his town. 

Page, Enos M , p. o. Triangle, was born in Triangle, April 9, 1861, a son of 



1000 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

Leander and grandson of Colvin Page, who came to Triangle in an early day. 
Leander Page was born in Triangle and followed farming ; he married Matilda, 
daughter of Frederick C. Eggleston. Mr. Page died in 1892 and his wife died in the 
same year, at the same hour. Enos M. Page was reared on the farm and educated 
in the common schools. He owns 237 acres of land and is a breeder of Holstein cat- 
tle. In 1872 Mr. Page married Delia Dillenbeck, and their children are Ethel, 
Edith and Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Page are members of the M. E. Church. 



Fox, Martin E., p. o. Triangle, was born in Triangle, November 20, 1878, a son of 
Martin L., and grandson of Jacob Fox, a pioneer of Triangle. Martin L. was born 
in Triangle, October 10, 1834, and educated in the common schools. He enlisted in 
the 2d Cavalry, California Vols. , and served three years; he married Sarah M. Tick- 
ner, who died in September, 1892. Martin E. Fox was educated in the common 
schools and is a farmer. He owns 147 acres of land and carries on general farming. 
In 1895 Mr. Fox married Edith, daughter of Arthur Beardsley, and they have one 
son, Faye C. Mr. Fox is a Republican and served a term as constable and collector. 



Stalker, John, p. o. Upper Lisle, was born in Triangle, January 2, 1829, a son of 
Peter, and grandson of John Stalker, who lived and died in Albany county, N. Y, 
Peter Stalker was born in Albany county and came to Triangle in an early day, 
about 1825, and died January 12, 1880; he married Ann Smith, and they had four 
children, all now living. John Stalker was educated in the common schools and is 
a farmer. He owns 165 acres of land and lives retired in Upper Lisle. He mar- 
ried Sarah Hanna, and they have two daughters, Ellen E., wife of L. K. Whitmore 
of Binghamton, and Kate, wife of Harry Squires of Marathon. In politics Mr. 
Stalker is a Republican and has been inspector. He is a member of Upper Lisle 
Grange No. 508, and has always been a temperance man. 



Burghardt, Richard M., p. o. Upper Lisle, was born in Triangle, September 30, 
1832 a son of Henry, and grandson of Andrew Burghardt, who lived and died in 
Berkshire, Mass. Henry Burghardt was born in Great Barrington, Mass., and came 
to Triangle about 1818; he married Mary Van Dusen, and they had nine children, 
two now living. Richard M. Burghardt was educated in the schools at Whitney's 
Point and Homer and has followed farming since, having 300 acres of land. Decem- 
ber 20, 1871, he married Josephine H. Post of Chenango, Broome county, N. Y., and 
they had one child. Mr. Burghardt is a Democrat in politics and has served as high- 
way commissioner. He is a member of Upper Lisle Lodge No. 388, F. & A. M. , and 
of Omega Lodge, I. O. O. F., also of Upper Lisle Grange No. 588. He was a dele- 
gate to the State Grange February 7, 1899. 



Reilly, J. R., was born in Oswego county, N, Y., June 23, 1860, a son of Owen 
Reilly, a native of Ireland, who came to Marathon in 1860, where he lived and died ; 
his wife was Blanche A. Monathan, who is now living at Marathon ; they had three 
children, two now living. J. R. Reilly was educated at Marathon and at the age of 
eighteen years learned the currier's trade and for three years worked at that busi- 
ness. He then learned telegraphy and was operator at Marathon for three years. 



FACTORS IN HROOME COUNTY IIISTOKV. 1001 

then became station agent at Lisle for eleven and a half years and in 1.S9T came to 
Whitney's Point, where he succeeded Mr. English as station agent. Mr. Reilly mar- 
ried Minnine M. Theleman, by whom he had one daughter, Blanche A. In politics 
Mr. Reilly is a Democrat, but not an aspirant to public office. He is a member of 
Whitney's Point Lodge No. 795, F. & A. M. 



Northrup, J. P., was born in Chenango Forks, N. Y., February 19. 1862. a son of 
Lewis, and grandson of Mulford Northrup, who came to Millville in 18"):} and built a 
tannery; he was very successful, starting with a capital of $1,500, and at his death, 
about 1866, left an estate of $37,000. He married Catharine Hamlin. He was a 
prominent politician, was supervisor one term, a member of assembly, and candidate 
for State senator, but was defeated by O. W. Chapman. Lewis Northrup was born in 
Dutchess county, served in tlie late war and died at Whitney's Point in 1894. He 
married Antoinette Parsons and had two children ; Mrs. Northrup died in 1878. J. P. 
Northrup was educated at Whitney's Point Academy and when sixteen years of age 
went to Scranton, Pa., where he learned the machinist's trade and worked at it ten 
years. He spent three years in South America and in 1888 took possession of Mill- 
ville Mills, where he has a good business. In 1889 Mr. Northrup married Mollie 
Stanton, and they have two children: Donald and Stanton. Mrs. Northrup died in 
February, 1896. Mr. Northrup is a Republican, and a member of Whitney's Point 
Lodge No. 795, F. & A. M. 

Waite, Luther I., p o. Whitney's Point, president of Birdsall, Waite & Perry Mfg. 
Co., was born in Skaneateles, N.Y.. January 20, 1854. a son of Luciau D., andgrand- 
son'of Luther Waite, who lived and died in Fort Edward, N. Y. Lucian D. Waite 
was born in Sandy Hill, Washington county, N. Y., in 1816, and came to Skaneate- 
les about 1838 ; he was a jeweler by trade. He married Louise Powers, born in Cay- 
uga county in 1816, and they had a family of seven daughters and two sons. Luther 
I. Waite was educated in Skaneateles and learned the carriage maker's trade. In 
1872 he went to Cortland and in 1^73 to the village of Whitney's Point, where he 
worked for Mr. Livermore until 1876, and then began the manufacture of cutter and 
sleigh woodwork and later added the manufacture of wagons under the firm name of 
Waite & Corbm; for eleven years the firm has been known as the Birdsall, Waite & 
Perry Manufacturing Co. In politics Mr. Waite is a Democrat and was supervisor 
of Triangle one year, also trustee of the village. October 20, 1878, Mr. Waite mar- 
ried Belle N. Adams of Whitney's Point, and they had three children: Edith B.. 
Leslie J and Lawrence O. Mr. Waite is a member of Whitney's Point Lodge No. 
795, F. & A. M. ; Pocahontas Tribe No. 81, I. O. R. M., and of the Episcopal church. 

Johnson, Amos M., p. o. Whitney's Point, was born in Whitney's Point. April 30. 
1861 a son of Richard M , and grandson of Capt. Amos Johnson, who came from 
Connecticut to the town of Triangle about 1800, where he died in 1849. Richard M 
Johnson was born in August. 1836, and educated in the common schools. He spent 
six years in California as a miner and then returned to Whitney's Point, where he 
carried on farming and stock raising. In politics he was a Democrat and was a 
member of the I O. O. F. Amos M. Johnson was educated in the common schools; 



1002 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

he then worked in a carriage factory for a time, was with the firm of Seeber & You- 
mans, C. O. Parsons, and was in partnership with Mr. Parsons for five years, then 
sold out and in 1889 began as traveling salesman for A. S. Minor of Binghamton, 
with whom he remained about a year and a half. He then engaged with the D F. 
Wallace Wall Paper Co. of Cortland, and in 1893 was placed with the National Wall 
Paper Co. of New York, which position he still holds. He is also an extensive dealer 
in horses. In politics Mr. Johnson is a Democrat and is one of the trustees of the 
village, and was one of the most active in having the business portion of the town 
built with brick after the fire. He is a member of Whitney Point Lodge No. 795, F. 
& A. M. On January 29, 1886, Mr. Johnson married Nellie M. Eggleston, and they 
have two children: Gladys E., born in April, 1887, and Richard, born in October, 
1891. 



Collins, William W. , p o. Whitney's Point, was born in Whitney's Point, June 7, 
1836, a son of Graves, and grandson of William Collins, who came to Barker, Broome 
county, about 1818, and there lived and died. Graves Collins was born in Connecti- 
cut, and came to Broome county where he lived until his death in 1867. He was a 
lumber dealer, also had a general store, and was the second merchant in the place; 
he was a Democrat and was supervisor a number of terms. William W. Collms was 
educated at Whitney's Point, Binghamton Academy, at Sand Lake, and was grad- 
uated from Eastman's Business College. He commenced reading law at Corning 
and practiced in justice's court for some time. He was in Australia for about four- 
teen months and then returned to the United States at San Francisco, and enlisted 
in Co. A, 2d Mass. Cavalry, in 1862 and served about three years. At the close of 
the war he returned to California and spent two years there, then returned to Whit- 
ney's Point and engaged in the mercantile business with his brother Alonzo and 
Fred H. Perry, under the firm name of Collins, Perry & Co. The firm went out of 
business in 1876, and Mr. Collins and his brother engaged in the sash and blind busi- 
ness under the firm name of Collins, Snook & Co., which continued until the firm 
was burned out in 1882, since which time Mr Collins has been engaged in farming. 
April 7, 1870, Mr. Collins married Angelina Rogers, born in Barker, Broome county, 
in 1845, a daughter of Benjamin Rogers; they have four children: Helen B., Mary 
A , Nina B. and Ruth A Mr. Collins is a member of Whitney's Point lodge, F. & 
A. M. ; Eldridge Post No. 199, G. A. R., Dept. N. Y., and has been master of the 
post several years in succession. In politics he is a Democrat and has been post- 
master since 1895. 



Guy, J. D., M. D. , was born in Chenango county, town of Guilford, December 23, 
1840, a son of Joel, and grandson of Timothy Guy, born in Kingsbury, N. Y., Octo- 
ber 19, 1783. Timothy Guy came to Chenango county about 1813 and there died 
January 26, 1850; he married Elizabeth Phelps, who died in Guilford in 1861. Joel 
Guy was born in Westford, N. Y., June 22, 1810, educated in the common schools, 
and died May 9, 1899 ; he married Candace Morse, and ten children were born to 
them, five now living. Mrs. Guy died in 1895. Dr. J. D. Guy was reared on the 
farm and educated in O.xford academy. He studied medicine with Ezekiel Guy of 
Harpursville, N. Y., and Timothy Guy of Nineveh, N. Y., and was graduated from 



FACTORS IN BROOxME COUNTY HISTORY. 1003 

Geneva Medical College January 21, 1868. He began his practice at Harpursville 
and November 11, 1869, went to Coventry, where he remained over twenty-four 
years; in 1894 he came to Chenango Forks, where he has a very successful practice. 
Dr. Guy is a member of Broome County Medical Society, New York State Medical 
Association, and American Medical Association. He is a member of Eastern Star 
lodge, F. & A. M., Watrous Post of Binghamton and Dickinson Command, U. V. U. 
July 28. 1862, Dr. Guy enlisted in Co. D, 109th Vol. Infantry, and held office as 
corporal and served until the close of the war. April 13, 1869, he married Sarah C. 
Olendorf, and their children are Lynn O. . Don J., Ruth P. and Sarah E. 



Harrington, Salfronius H., M. D., was born in Greene, Chenango county, March 
2, 1829, a son of Benjamin Harrington, born in Vermont and came to Greene with 
his parents when about fourteen years old ; he married Mary Smith, and ten children 
were born to them, eight growing to maturity. Dr. Harrington was educated in the 
common schools and Oxford Academy and was also graduated from Union college. 
In 1853 he began the studj^ of medicine at Lester N. Y., with Dr. S. H. French, and 
was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1855. He began his practice at 
Chenango Forks in 1856 in which he continued until 1893; he has also been in the 
drug business since 1870. September 17, 1862, Dr. Harrington married Margaret 
Hagerman, born in 1837; two children were born to them: Mary, born October 19, 
1869. died August 19, 1876, and Maurice S., born August 31, 1878, educated at St. 
John's Military School and married Alice Terwilliger, April 1, 1896; they have one 
son, Harold L. Maurice Harrington is a druggist in Chenango Forks. Mrs. Dr. 
Harrington died May 1, 1896. Dr. Harrington has been a lifelong Republican; a 
member of the Red Men of Chenango Forks, and he supports the Episcopal church. 



Hitt, T. R., was born April 21, 1847, son of J. W. and Roxy Ann (Smith) Hitt. and 
grandson of Oliver Hitt. Both father and grandfather were natives of Delaware 
county, N. Y., the former born September 22, 1819, in Colchester, in that county. 
The mother was born in Wooster, N. Y., in 1823, and died in February, 1891. The 
children of John W. and Roxy Ann Hitt were as follows: T. R. the subject of this 
sketch; Almeda, born February 14, 1846, died January 29, 1864; Annette, born May 
9, 1849, married M. Deville Pratt; Lizzie, born June. 4, 1861, died December 8, 1870; 
Mary, born May 5, 1856, died December 23, 1859; Eva, born September 22, 1850, 
wife of H. B. Atwood; Frank, born October 21, 1862. T. R. Hitt has followed lum- 
bering for thirty-one years, and has owned and run a saw mill in Killawog during 
that period. In 1891 he added to his saw mill a grist and feed mill and now does 
custom grinding and manufactures buckwheat Hour. For several years his saw mill 
cut a million feet of lumber annually ; but at the present time and for a few years 
past he has not manufactured but about three thousand feet yearly. Mr. Hitt was 
married in 1872 at Killawog to Ella F. Phetterplace, born in 1849. Their children 
are Jennie L., born in 1873 (an expert pianist, having taken a course in the Boston 
Conservatory of Music); Clara L., born in 1881; and Alta M., born in 1883. 



Howland, Herman H., was born in Lisle, July 7, 1865, a son of Melvin and Aman- 
da (Everett) Howland. He was educated in the common schools. Lisle Academy 



1004 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

and Cortland Normal School. He engaged in the mercantile busine.ss at Lisle Cen- 
ter, and in 1892 was appointed postmaster by President Harrison, serving four years, 
and has been deputy postmaster since under P. H. and C. M. Lusk. In politics he 
is a Republican and was elected supervisor of the town of Lisle in 1899 for two years. 
January 27, 1887, he married Bella B. Walter, a native of Berkshire, and they have 
one daughter, Hazel G., born July 7, 1888. The Howland genealogical record from 
genealogy of the Howland family of America (1620-1882), by Franklin Howland, 
New Bedford, Mass., genealogical and biographical history of Arthur, Henry and 
John ; coat of arms a shield surmounted by a lion. The genealogy is easily traceable 
to Arthur Howland, whose last will and testament is recorded in the clerk's office of 
Marshfield, Mass., recorded in 1675; acknowledged by Josiah Windslow and follow- 
ing is an inventory of his personal effects: inventory by Anthony Snow and geneal- 
ogy of subject— Warren (6), William (5), Isaac (4), Joshua (3), Samuel (2), Henry (li, 
born May 23, 1810, in Massachusetts; he married first, Angeline Wilbur, born March 
6, 1815, died February 18, 1847; married second, September, 1847, Betsey Burg- 
hardt; children, James B., born March S, 1832: Melvin, born November 26, 1834. 
married Amanda Everett, had Ellen E. and Herman ; Isaac, born June 12, 1838, mar- 
ried Mary A. French, had Nellie and Frank; Wilbur, born February 8. 1847, married 
first, Adeline Burghardt and had Ellen, Martha and Anna; he married second, 
Phebe Coney, and had Emma, Jesse and May. Herman H. Howland is the eighth 
in line of the Howlands in America. 



Littlewood, G. H.— His grandfather, George Littlewood, was a native of Sheffield, 
England, and emigrated to New York city in 1820, where he remained for two years, 
then came to Otsego county, and bought a farm at Otsewa Creek, Otsego county, 
town of Lawrence, of 160 acres, at $4 an acre; at that time he could have bought a 
farm in Broome street. New York, for $60 per acre. He was an engraver by trade 
and engraved for the Bank of England, but like all pioneers seemed frenzied with a 
desire for land. He came with a wife and five children, all born in England save 
one, James; E. W. lived and died in Morris, Otsego county ; an adopted daughter 
living, the widow of Hiram Macy, and resides in Hudson ; John died in Gilbertsville. 
and Henry, father of the subject, born in Sheffield, England, in 1808. He was a 
moulder by trade and he married Eliza Bennett, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 
1823, and still living. The family of Henry and Eliza (Bennett) Littlewood were as 
follows: Elizabeth, Alice. G. H. (the subject), Mary, Edward and Edwin (twins), 
Pamelia, Frank, Gertrude (deceasedj, and John. G. H. Littlewood was born in 
Franklin, Delaware county, N. Y., March 3, 1847, and educated in the common 
schools. Pie moved to Elgin, 111., with his parents, where his father followed his 
trade of moulder, and returned to New Berlin in 1881, where his father died in 1889. 
At the age of seventeen Mr. Littlewood purchased a creamery and conducted a very 
successful business. He purchased a half interest in a printing business and origi- 
nated the paper known as the New Berlin Gazette. In 1879 he settled in Lisle, 
where he has been engaged in the creamery business until recentl}^ In 1870 Mr. 
Little vvood married Lucia E. Avery, born August 1, 1853. She witnessed the bom- 
bardment of Fort Sumter. Her father was appointed by Abraham Lincoln consul to 
Mexico. To Mr. and Mrs. Littlewood were born two children: Elizabeth and Net- 
tie. Mr. Littlewood is now president of the village of Lisle. 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 



1005 



Brown, Bailie, p. o. I.isle, was born in New York city in 1HG9, of Scotch-Irish ex- 
traction. His father. Isaac Brown, was born in Belfast. Ireland, and died in Jersey 
City in 1883, aged forty-nine. He was an importer of linens and general dry good's 
in New York city. He was prominent in the Presbyterian circles of that city. Mr. 
Brown's mother, Elizabeth Malzina Bailie, was born in Scotland in 1H40, and is now 
living in New York city. They had five children: Bailie, the subject; Bella born in 
1873; Ella, born in 1875; William P. Clark, born m 1878, and Alexander." born in 
1882. Bailie Brown attended the grammar .schools of New York and Jersey City 
Heights and prepared for college at the Cooper Institute. New York city, and was 
graduated from the New Wind.sor College. Md.. in 1803, with the degree'of A. B.. 
and m 1896 had conferred upon him the degree of A. M. He was also graduated 
from the Auburn Theological Seminary, class of '95, and from the National Home- 
opathic Medical College Hospital of Chicago, with the degree of M. D. in 1887. This 
coarse was taken with a view of going as a medical missionary to China. The 
honorary degree of Ph. D. was conferred upon him in 1894 by the National Normal 
University of Ohio. Mr. Brown supplied pulpits during the vacations of his college 
course at Sacket's Harbor, N. Y., Sioux Falls. South Dakota, Cheyenne, Wyoming, 
and accepted the pastorate of the First Congregational church of Lisle, in August, 
1898. Mr. Brown is prominent in the Knights of Pythias and is a member of the U. 
O. G. C. of New York city. Mr. Brown has a library valued at $1,000, which speaks 
well for the scholarship of its owner. 



Smith, David, was born in Chenango on the farm he owns, September 12, 1856. a 
son of Robert, son of David Smith, who came to Chenango in 1828, where he lived 
and died. Robert Smith was born in Scotland, January 29, 1829, and came to Che- 
nango the same year he was born. He was a farmer and had 300 acres of land ; his 
wife was Catherine J. Wilson, born May 26, 1826; they had five children: James (de- 
ceased), Josephine A. (deceased), David, Januette (deceased) and Charles K. (de- 
ceased). David Smith was educated in the common schools and is a farmer, having 
charge of the homestead of 300 acres. January 21, 1885, he married Emma Cooley; 
they had five children: Maggie J., Robert C. (deceased), Sarah C, Charles K. and 
Catherine J. 



Johnson, David H.. was born in Chenango, Broome county, N. Y., March 8, 1851, 
son of George, son of David Johnson, who came to Chenango in an early day. 
George Johnson was born in Dutchess county and came to Chenango and bought a 
farm of 340 acres of land ; his wife was Harriet Boothe, born in Dutchess county; 
they had five children, four daughters and one son. Mr. Johnson was a Republican 
and was supervisor of Chenango for several years. David H. was educated in the 
common schools and was graduated from Lowell's Business College. He is a farmer 
and owns 220 acres of land. In 1877 he married Eva Brown ; they had four children : 
Anna L., George, Floyd and Arthur (deceased). Mrs. Johnson died in 1897 and in 
1898 Mr. Johnson married Mary Brown, sister of his first wife. 



Hurd, S. H., p. o. Port Crane, was born in Vermont, September 3, 1825, a son of 
Stephen and Julia A. (Grifiin) Hurd. Stephen Hurd was born in Vermont and came 



1006 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

to Broome county about 1832, where he died September 2, 1877; his wife was a na- 
tive of Delaware county and died March 31, 1868. S. H. Hurd was reared on a farm 
and educated in the common schools of Colesville. April 1, 1867, he came to Fen- 
ton and bought 144 acres of land and follows general farming. On January 16, 1867, 
he married Harriet E., daughter of William Schouten. In politics Mr. Hurd is a 
Democrat. Mrs Hurd is a member of the M. E. church of Port Crane. 



Hays, Matthew, was born in the city of Binghamton, March 8, 1810, a son of Pat- 
rick and Ella (McDonald) Hays, who came to Binghamton in 1837 with their only 
child, Michael P. ; the rest of their children were born in Silver Lake, Pa. They 
were Catherine, who was educated in the public schools of Mount Rose, is now 
Mother Superior of Pennsylvania, and is -located at Worcester; she has under her 
control 3,500 houses and is known as Sister De Chanter; Julia is Mother Superior and 
is located at Locust Gap, and is known as Sister Columbia; Thomas W. is a priest at 
Centralia, Pa. ; he was educated at Dowden School, Binghamton, and Holy Cross 
College, Worcester ; James is a miner at Leadville, Col. ; David is in the express and 
livery business at Emporium, Pa. ; Morris a farmer in Wyoming; Lucius and Frank 
are respectively engineer and conductor on the Erie Railroad, with headquarters at 
Bradford, Pa. ; John is a locomotive engineer and located at Dubois, Pa. Matthew 
Hays was educated in the common schools of Susquehanna county. Pa., assisted his 
father on the farm summers and attended school winters. The necessaries of life, 
which were purchased in Binghamton, thirteen miles away, were carried on foot to 
their home. When twenty-two years of age Mr. Hays started in business as a lum- 
berman in the northwestern part of Pennsylvania, which he continued for three years, 
then purchased a farm near his father at Silver Lake. Here he remained four years, 
then sold the farm and started in the grocery, live stock and provision business at 
Binghamton, which he carried on many years. He sold this business out and started 
in as a general contractor on public works, mostly in Binghamton and Florida, 
which he earned on until seven years ago, when he moved on his farm four miles 
from Binghamton, which consists of 550 acres. On September 5, 1865, Mr. Hays 
married Mary Rourke; they have three children: George A., Ursula and Mena. He 
married second, Maggie J. Judge; their children are Mary and Katie. Mr. Hays 
was elected alderman of the First ward of Binghamton in 1874, 1876 and 1880. 



Laughlin, John, was born in Ireland, in June, 1837, a son of Patrick and Ann 
Laughlin, who came here with their family in 1853, which consisted of six children: 
Patrick, Byron, John, Bridget, Mary and Kate. After coming to this county he fol- 
lowed dairy farming. John was educated in Limerick, Ireland, and was associated 
with his father until his father's death. When about twenty years of age he started 
in life for himself as a farm laborer. In 1868 Mr. Laughlin married Nora, daughter 
of James O'Connor; they have five children: Edward, John, Joseph, George and 
Mary. Mr. Laughlin is interested in school and educational work ; also town and 
county affairs. He and his family are members of the Catholic church of the town 
of Kirkwood and he is a member of the Tribe of Red Men, Chenango Lodge. 



Price, James M., was born in Broome county, November 14, 1847, a son of George 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 1007 

S. and Emily Tucker Price, both natives of this county; they had six children: John. 
William, Joseph, Ryas, George and Hannah, all born in Vestal. George S. was a 
son of Daniel and Debora (Cafferty) Price, and Daniel a son of Silas, who came from 
Connecticut and by occupation followed lumbering. James M. Price was educated 
in Binghamton. He was associated with his father in farming, stock raising and 
dealing until his father's death in 1894. Mr. Price is active in town and county 
affairs; he represented his town on the board of supervisors in 1837 and is at the 
present time justice of the peace, and has always taken an active part in school and 
educational work. 



King, E. A., was born in Wayne county. Pennsylvania, July 1, 1844, a son of R. 
K., and grandson of Benjamin C. King, born in Connecticut and a pioneer of Wayne 
county. R. K. King was a farmer; a Democrat in politics and held minor offices; he 
died in 1888. His wife was Minerva Tallman, by whom he had eleven children, 
seven now living. E. A. King was reared on the farm and educated in the common 
schools. In 1886 he came to Windsor and at present owns about 550 acres of land ; 
also several farms in Pennsylvania. In politics Mr. Kingis a Democrat and has held 
several minor offices. He is a member of Windsor Lodge No. 443, F. & A M. Feb- 
ruary 3, 1870, Mr. King married Almira Labow of Pennsylvania; they have four 
children: Helen E., Josephine, Minerva H. and Benjamin C. 



Peckham, John B., was born in Washington county, December 18, 1838, a son of 
Joseph, and grandson of Alanson Peckham, a native of Rhode Island, who came to 
Washington county in 1826. Joseph Peckham was born in Rhode Island and came 
to Broome county in 1870, where he died in 1891 ; his wife was Lydia Bradt, and they 
had four children: John B., Alanson and Catherine (twins), and Daniel W., all now 
living. John B. was educated in the common schools and in 1870 came to Colcsville, 
where he has a farm of 115 acres and follows general farming. On September 3, 
1863, he enlisted in the volunteers and served for two years. In 1867 Mr. Peckham 
married Mary M., daughter of Michael Eastman; they have four children: Frank H . 
born August 16, 1868;' Arthur J., born January 6, 1871; Elmer (deceased), and How- 
ard L., born June 2, 1884. 



Poole, J. S., was born in Paterson, N. J., July 28, 1853, a son of S. J., and grand- 
son of Jackson Poole, who lived and died in Westchester county, N. Y., and great- 
grandson of Jackson Poole, a guide in the Revolutionary war. S. J. Poole was born 
in Westchester county and came to Colesville in 1855, where he died in 1897. He 
married Caroline Lawrence, by whom he had three children, all now living. J. S. 
Poole is a miller by trade, but carries on general farming, having a farm of 120 acres 
and a dairy of twenty cow.s. In 1898 he built a barn 40x50. He married Emma 
Beebe of Owego. In politics Mr. Poole is a Republican. He is a member of Afton 
lodge No. 360, F. & A. M. 

Weeks, John W., was born in Chenango county, N. Y.. July 15, 1863, a son of Sol- 
omon, and grandson of William Weeks, who came from Westchester county m 1839, 
to Chenango county, where he lived and died. Solomon Weeks was born m West- 



1008 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

Chester county, June 10, 1822, educated in the common schools and was a farmer and 
cooper; he was also foreman in a wholesale store in New York city for some time, 
and came to Center Village in 1865, where he engaged in mercantile business, which 
he continued until 1896, when he retired. He is an active Republican, but not an 
aspirant to office. He is a Free Mason; was one of the founders of Windsor lodge, 
I. O. O. F. He married Lenora Knox, born in Broome county, N. Y. , a daughter of 
James Knox, one of the pioneers of that county; they had seven children, two sons 
now living: Frank, of Topeka, Kan., and John W., the subject. Mrs. Weeks died 
in February, 1893. John W. was reared in Jersey City until six years of age, and 
then came to Center Village, where he was educated in an Episcopal academy. He 
began business life as clerk for his father, and in 1877 became his partner, then 
clerked again for awhile, and in 1896 became sole proprietor, carrying on the busi- 
ness alone since then. In 1884 Mr. Weeks married Nellie Warner; they have two 
children: Lenora J. and Florence L. Mr. Weeks is an active Republican and has 
been justice of the peace. Mr. Weeks' mother was granddaughter of Capt. James 
Knox, who came from Connecticut and settled near Oquaga in an early day; he had 
seven sons and four daughters. Mr. Knox served through the Revolution and was 
body guard to Gen. Washington. 



Wilcox, S. S., was born in Tompkins county, N. Y. , July 14, 1849, a son of George 
S., and grandson of Clark Wilcox, a native of Vermont. Geo. S. Wilcox was born 
in Tompkins county and died in Allegany county in 1898, aged eighty years; his 
wife was Sarah Jones, and they had four children, three now living. Mrs. Wilcox 
died in 1870, and he married, second, Mary Fitch; they had five children, four now 
living. Mr. Wilcox was a Republican in politics and was supervisor of his town sev- 
eral terms and at the time of his death held the office of town clerk. S. S. Wilcox 
was educated in the common schools and followed the milling business. In 1880 he 
engaged with the Standard Oil Co., assisting in putting up machinery and has been 
with them ever since In 1870 Mr. Wilcox married Rebecca Elliott, daughter of 
Girard P. Elliott, a native of Broome county, and at the age of seventeen years went 
to Allegany county, where he died in 1897, aged eighty-eight years. To Mr. aud 
Mrs. Wilcox were born five children: Flora B., born October 21, 1872; Ella L., born 
November 16, 1874, died 6, 1898; Corwin J., born November 10, 1880, died April 10, 
1897; Neva E , born January 13, 1892; and Rena A., born September 25, 1893. Mr. 
Wilcox is a Republican and was assessor in Alma. He is a member of Welsville lodge 
No. 230, F. & A. M., and Binghamton Chapter No. 139, R. A. M. Mrs. Wilcox is a 
member of the M. E. church. 



Churchill, Frederick E., was born in Colesville, N. Y., September 12, 1859, a son 
of Samuel S. Churchill, born August 18, 1825, who came from Delaware county to 
Colesville about 1834, and here died March 30, 1889, aged sixty-three years. He was 
a butcher and farmer. December 10, 1857, he married Louisa Jane Gates, born in 
1825 and died in 1871. Frederick E. Churchill was educated in the common schools 
and remained on the farm until twenty years of age, when he learned telegraphy 
and has since been telegraph operator for the Standard Oil Co. In 1885 he married 
Abigail D. Sanford, daughter of William Sanford ; they had two children ; William 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 1009 

R., born January 21, 1888; and Fezon T., born September :3, 1805. Mr. Churchill is 
a Republican in politics. 



Crumb, Edwin W., was born in Chenango county, N. Y., February iiO, 1847, a son 
of Phineas and Betsey (Bosworth) Crumb, who had four children Edwin W.. Amelia, 
wife of Asa Warner; Elena, wife of Howard Law and Emma J. Edwin W. spent 
his early life on the farm with his parents; he assisted his father on the farm sum- 
mers and attended school winters. When twenty-one years of age he engaged as a 
farm laborer and five years later purchased a small farm, which he traded for a farm 
in the northern part of the town of Wind.sor. near the Colesville line, in 1883. No- 
vember 8. 1876, he married Adelle, daughter of Cranson and Adeline Harvey Pitcher; 
their children are Leora, wife of Julian Webb; Leon, Gertrude, Howard and Earl. 
Mr. Crumb follows general farming and lumbering. He is interested in town and 
county affairs; active in educational work and has been connected with the school 
as trustee. He is a contributor and supporting member of the Baptist church and a 
member of Windsor lodge No. 443, F. & A. M. 



Edwards, Alvin. a retired farmer of the village of Windsor, belongs to one of the 
oldest families of Broome county. His grandparents, Jasper and Betsey ((juick) Ed. 
wards, settled in the town about 1780. Jasper was a native of England and a Revo- 
lutionary soldier; he fought under Washington and was with him at the crossing of 
the Delaware; he was captured by the Indians and was taken to Canada, where he 
remained in captivity for over two yeari. There was great rejoicing at his capture 
as the Indians feared him very much. Betsey was a sister of Thomas Quick and 
their parents were killed at the Wyoming valley massacre and Thomas started out 
to avenge their death ; during his life he killed ninety-nine Indians. When Jasper 
settled in Windsor, he came from Pennsylvania with his wife and four children, one 
of whom was William, father of Alvin. William married Lodama, daughter of Capt. 
Elijah Smith, who was a Revolutionary soldier. Alvin's early life was spent with 
his parents and he was educated in the schools of Windsor. When twenty-three 
years of age his father died and he took charge of the home farm ; later he purchased 
it from the heirs, where he lived and carried on general farming until 1891, since 
which time he has lived mostly retired in the village of Windsor; his home is one of 
the prettiest in this vicinity. In 1872 he married Ellen E., daughter of Jesse and 
Abigail (Church) Brown; they had three children. Lyle Brown, Helen (deceased) and 
one who died in infancy. Mr. Edwards is interested in educational work, and is a 
member of Windsor Lodge No. 422, F. & A. M. 



Brownell, Joseph H., was born in the town of Windsor, April 21, 1854, a son of 
Bennett and Mary Ann (Brownell) Brownell, whose children were George B., Charles 
R., Emory D., Sarah M., Nancy C. and Joseph H. Bennett and his wife and four 
oldest children came from Delaware county about 1852. Before coming to this 
county he manufactured grain cradles but after coming here he followed farming. 
The children are all deceased, except Joseph H. and George B., who are in the furni- 
ture business at Windsor village. Joseph H. spent his early life on the farm with 
his parents; he was educated in the schools at Windsor and in the Binghamton High 
64 



1010 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

School, from which he was graduated in 1877, as president of his class ; he was also 
graduated from the Cortland Normal. He first engaged in business as a lumberman, 
speculating in lumber lands and stumpage, which business he still follows. In 1881 
Mr. Brownell married Minnie L., daughter of Addison G. and Susan (Stoddard) 
Brush. He was elected supervisor in 1889, 1890 and 1892; was elected to the As- 
sembly in 1893, 1894 and 1895 ; and represented his town on the board of supervisors 
in 1898 and 1899. Mr. Brownell is a Mason and belongs to Windsor Lodge No. 442, 
of which he has been master and senior deacon ; is also a member of Binghamton 
Chapter and Consistory and a member of the tribe of Red"^Ien. 



Day, Frank A., town clerk of Union in 1898, and village clerk of Lestershire in 1899 
and 1900, is a native of Spencer, Tioga county, born November 23, 1869, and is the 
younger of two sons of John Day, a former resident of Spencer but one of Lester- 
shire's pioneer business men. Frank was educated in the Spencer graded school, 
after which he took a business course in Mead's College, in Syracuse, where he was 
graduated. He then went to Elmira and for one year worked for the wholesale and 
retail hardware firm of Baker, Rose & Gray, thoroughly acquainting himself with 
the jobbing business generally, and with the selling department in particular, for 
then he had determined to sell goods on the road. However, on leaving Elmira in 
April, 1890, Mr. Day came to Lestershire, where his father and brother were already 
established in business, and from that time to the present day he has been an active 
factor in the history of that flourishing v illage, engaged in general fire and life in- 
surance. He was one of the charter members of the J. R. Diment Fire Engine Com- 
pany, serving on the active roll of members six years (being foreman of the company 
one year) and then transferring his membership to the G. Harry Lester Hook and Lad- 
der Company. He now holds an exempt fireman's certificate. He is also a member 
of Golden Scepter Lodge No. 693, I. O. O. F., and an ex-member of the 20th Sepa- 
rate Company, N. G. S. N.Y., having received an honorable discharge for six years' 
service. Politically, Mr. Day is a Democrat, andjas the candidate of his party he 
was elected clerk in the strong Republican town of Union in 1898. In the following 
year he was appointed village clerk of Lestershire by a Republican board of trustees, 
and was reappointed for a second time in March, 1900. These appointments attest 
not only his popularity in the village, but also his capacity and faithfulness as an 
official. On August 16, 1893, Frank A. Day married Addie Maynard, daughter of 
W. H. Maynard, formerly of Owego, N. Y. 



Wilcox, Fred D., was born in Deposit, July 31, 1872. His father, Henry W. Wil- 
cox, was born in Elmira, and came to Deposit in 1847. He is one of Deposit's rep- 
resentative business men, being a large dealer in real estate and is now identified in 
farming; he married Frances Dean, and their children are Helen, Henry W., jr., 
who is a physician in Deposit, and Fred D. Fred D. Wilcox was educated in the 
Deposit schools and then engaged in the livery business. He married Elizabeth, 
daughter of D. W. Lewis of New York city. 



Allen, F. A., p. o. Lestershire, was born in the town of Wilton. Maine, October 
31, 1854. His father, Andrew J. Allen, was a native of Wilton and was engaged in 




_J 



FRANK A. DAY. 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. lOIl 

farming; he married Eunice V. Hall, and their children were F. A. and Andrew S. 
He died in 1856 and his wife in 1865. F. A. Allen was educated in the Wilton Acad- 
emy and engaged in the shoe business at Ashland. Mass., later he went to Plymouth. 
where he remained for eight years in the same business, and in 1892 came to Lester- 
shire as foreman in the Lestershire Manufacturing Co. Mr. Allen is a member and 
trustee of the M. E. church; has been a member of the E. B. Endicott Steamer Co. 
ever since it started; past grand and trustee of the I. O. O. F . and member of the 
Knights of Maccabees and of the tribe of Lodge No. 183, I. O. R. M. Mr. Allen mar- 
ried first Ida M. Meader, who died in 1880, leavicg one daughter, Winnifred Allen 
Stevens. In 1881 he married Inez, daughter of Alonzo and Rozilla Collins of Maine, 
and they had one son, Charles R. F. Allen, who died August 6, 1890. Mr. Allen is 
one of Lestershire's upright business men. 



Shanley Bros., p. o. Whitney's Point.— The firm is composed of M. and William 
Shanley, sous of John and Margaret (Wood) Shanley, who settled in Broome county 
about 1850; they had eight children, seven now living. M. Shanley was born in 
Broome county, January 27, 1865, educated in the common schools, and began busi- 
ness life as clerk for Wells & Deyo. His brother bought out Mr. Deyo and Mr. 
Shanley remained as clerk until 1897, when he became a partner. In October, 1895, 
he married Lydia Flanagan of Smithville. Mr. Shanley is a member of Pocahontas 
Tribe No. 81, I. O. R. M., and an active member of the fire department, being chief 
for two years. In politics he is a Democrat and was inspector of election and 
elected supervisor in 1898 and re-elected in 1899. William Shanley was born in Nan- 
ticoke, Broome county, January 4, 1856, educated in the common schools and fol- 
lowed farming several years. He was engaged as hotel clerk for several years at 
Whitney's Point, Little Falls and Binghamton, and in 1887 engaged in the mercan- 
tile business under the firm name of Wells & Shanley, which continued as such for 
ten years, when the firm became Shanley Bros. June 30, 1898, Mr. Shanley married 
Mary McCabe of Smithfield. 



Hilsinger, Edwin D., was born August 21, 1856, and is a son of Peter and Lydia 
(Rankin) Hilsinger. The great-grandfather of Edwin D. came from Germany and 
settled in Schoharie county, where his grandfather. Barnabas Hilsinger, lived and 
died, and where his father, Peter, was born in 1811. When Peter was eighfyears 
old his widowed mother, Catherine (Conrad) Hilsinger, brought him to Texas Valley, 
Cortland county, where he was educated and married Lydia Rankin, born in Cort- 
land county, October 16, 1822. In 1873 Peter and his family removed to Broome 
county; he was a general mechanic. The children born of the union of Peter Hil- 
singer and Lydia Rankin were as follows: Samson, deceased; Lindon P., Francis 
M., Alburtus C, Burdett, deceased; George, deceased; Putnam, born April 22, 1852; 
William E., born April 20, 1854; Edwin D., Arthur, born May 1, 1858 and Adin W., 
born May 12, 1862. Lindon and Alburtus C. served in the 185th N. Y. Vols, in the 
Civil war. All of the sons except Francis, who is a farmer, are mechanics, Edwin 
D. and Putnam being partners and proprietors of the Killawog Novelty Works, 
builders and repairers of woodwork, machine frames, water tanks, etc. Edwin D. 
Hilsinger married first Estelle Atwood, on September 5, 1880; she died October 28 , 



1012 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

1885, leaving three children: Walter (deceased), Frank, and Ralph (deceased). He 
married, second, on March 16, 1890, Lovinnie Brown ; she was born February 16, 
1873. Their children are Claud, born January 10, 1892 ; Clifford, born April 10, 1896. 



Witherill, L. D., M. D., was born in Union in 1845. His father, Dr. A. A. With- 
erill, came from Connecticut to Vestal in 1835, and soon after to Union, where he 
was the leading physician until his death. He married Hannah Mersereau. Dr. L. 
D. Witherill began his studies with Dr. George Burr and attended lectures at Geneva, 
graduating in 1866, and afterward attending lectures in the Albany Medical College. 
Dr. Witherill married Hattie, daughter of David R. Chandler; they had three chil- 
dren. Mrs. Witherill died in 1898. 



Squires, M. S. , was born in Portlandville, N. Y. , November 19, 1857. His father, 
Asa D. Squires, was a native of Otsego county and was engaged in the lumber busi- 
ness. He married Martha Westcott, and they had two children: Merritt Stukley 
and Isabel, who died in 1861. Merritt S. was educated in the common schools and 
Hartwick Seminary and Albany Normal School. He engaged in the lumber busi- 
ness with his father, later moved to Corning and engaged in the wholesale lumber 
business and in 1890 built his lumber mill and moved here in 1892, where he formed 
the Lestershire Lumber and Box Co. In 1893 Mr. Squires was elected a member of 
the board of education for three years and in 1897-98 was elected president of the 
village; he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being a member of a Binghamton 
lodge. He married Laura A., daughter of Edwin Chauncey; their children are 
Harold C, Laura E. and Martha C. 



Rogers, W. H., was born in Union, May 9, 1867, a son of Simeon and Florinda 
(Earnhardt) Rogers, who were the parents of Addison A., Francis H., Ella Rogers 
Cafferty, Clark and William. Mr. Rogers died in 1883. W. H. Rogers was edu- 
cated in the common schools and then was employed in a meat market. In July, 
1890, he came to Lestershire, where he has charge of the warehouse. Mr. Rogers 
is a member of the A. O. U. W. He married Mary, daughter of Ebenezer Mclntyre. 



McCullough, Horace W., was born in Chenango county, August 4, 1855, a son of 
Charles L., son of Harvey McCullough, born in 1793, in Connecticut, and came to 
Chenango county in an early day. Charles L. McCullough was born in Chenango 
county, and was reared on a farm. He was a sailor for many years and followed 
whaling; he spent his last days in Broome county and died in Colesville. He mar- 
ried Polly Winslow of Chenango county. Horace W. was educated in the common 
schools and Lowell's Commercial College. He followed teaching for a number of 
years and now holds a position with the railroad at Harpursville. In 1876 Mr. Mc- 
Cullough married Mary, daughter of Lyman Watrous; they have two children: 
Jerry W., born August 6, 1878, educated at Afton High School, and is now telegraph 
operator at Harpursville; and Blanch C, born June 9, 1886. In politics Mr. McCul- 
lough is a Democrat, but not an aspirant to office. He is a member of Afton lodge, 
No. 360, F. & A. M. ; Alonia Chapter No. 80, R. A. M. ; Live Oak lodge. No. 696, 
I. O. O. F. ; and Binghamton Encampment. 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 1013 

EUerson, H., p. o. Whitney Point, was born in Schoharie county, March 4, 1823, 
a son of John and grandson of David EUerson, who was born in Virginia and served 
seven years in the Revolutionary war, enlisting with the Virginia Riflemen. John 
EUerson was born in Schoharie county and came to Barker about 1836, where he 
lived until his death in 1869; he married Elizabeth Collier, born in Otsego county, 
and they had four sons and five daughters, two now living, Louisa, of Binghamton 
and the subject. H. EUerson was reared on a farm and educated m the common 
schools. In 1850 Mr. EUerson went to California and followed raining, where he 
was very successful. He returned to New York State and bought the homestead, 
where he has since resided. He has been twice married, first to Annie M. Terwilli- 
ger, by whom he had four children: Josephine, Eddie, Louisa and David; and sec- 
ond, to Elmira Blair, daughter of Eli Blair, by whom he had one daughter, Louisa, 
of Bradford, Pa. In politics Mr. EUerson is a Republican. He is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. and Royal Templars. 



• Brown, Robert, the furniture dealer and undertaker of Deposit, N. Y., is a native 
of Orange county and was born in Newburgh, N. Y., July 5, 1834. The paternal 
grandfather of Mr. Brown was born in Ireland and came to this country with his 
parents at the age of six years. He settled in Montgomery, Orange county, and 
there was born his son Calvin, who became the father of Robert. Calvin Brown was 
a contractor and builder in Newburgh, Orange county, and was a well known militia 
man in that county. August 1, 1857, he was made lieutenant of the Montgomery 
Guards and in 1861 was adjutant of the Nineteenth Regt. New York Volunteer In- 
fantry, and was preparing to enter the army and go to the field whan he was taken 
sick and died at the age of thirty-seven years. He married Jane A. Smith, born in 
1837, and living now in Middletown, N. Y. ; and their children were Agnes, who 
died in 1875; Frances M., who died in 1878; William K., born in 1859, now a carpen- 
ter and mechanic in Minneapolis, Minn. ; Katharine K., born in 1857 and living in 
Middletown; and the subject of this sketch. The maternal great-grandfather of 
these children, whose name was Smith, was a native of Germany and one of the pio- 
neers of Montgomery, Orange county. His son, their grandfather, was a native of 
that place and a lifelong resident there. He represented his district in the New 
York Legislature in 1844. 

Robert Brown was educated in the public schools of Newburgh and at the age of 
sixteen went to Walden, Orange county, N. Y. , and learned the cabinet maker's 
trade and the undertaking business with T. L. Millspaugh. He remained at this 
business seven years and became thoroughly conversant with both callings and is a 
skilled embalmer, licensed under the laws of the State of New York. From Walden 
he went to Bloomingburgh, Sullivan county, N. Y., and started in the furniture and 
undertaking business. After five years he sold out his business and came to Deposit, 
where in company with S. D. Horton, in 1880, he bought out William J. Freeman in 
the Exchange block and commenced business under the style of Brown & Horton. 
That partnership continued three years when Mr. Horton sold out his share and he 
took George More as a partner, the firm name being Brown & More. In December, 
1890, the senior member bought out his partner's interest and became the sole pro- 
prietor. 



1014 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

Mr. Brown was married December 17, 1879, to Emma Andrews, a daughter of Rol- 
lin and Rachel (Buchanan) Andrews. The Andrews family came to Orange county 
from Connecticut. RoUin Andrews was engaged before marriage in school teaching 
and afterwards was a bookkeeper in the Walden Woolen Mills. He died when forty- 
seven years old. His widow survived him and died April 30, 1891, at the age of 
sixty-seven. They were the parents of five children, namely: Julia, living with Mr. 
Brown at Deposit; WiUiam B. , who married Annie E. Lockwood and died at the 
age of thirty-six years, leaving three children ; Emma A. ; Sydney K., who died when 
two years of age; and George B., who married Julia Christ and is a grocer in Wal- 
den, N. Y. Mrs. Brown's paternal grandfather was Rolliu Andrews, sn, a native of 
Connecticut; and her maternal grandfather was William Buchanan, a blacksmith by 
trade, who lived to the age of eighty-seven years, active till the time of his death. 
Mrs. Brown comes of Scotch ancestry and is a skilled housewife and a good mother. 
They have three children: Floyd A., aged nineteen, who is in the furniture and un- 
dertaking business with his father; Ada K. , aged seventeen, attending the Deposit 
High School; and RoUin H., aged twelve and a student at the Deposit Academy. 

In 1892 he bought the store property on the corner of Front and Dean streets and 
in the same year added a convenient dwelling, furnished with electric lights and 
other modern improvements. In 1899 he built a cottage on Oquago lake where he 
and his family spend the summer vacation. Fraternally Mr. Brown is a member of 
the Masonic order, Deposit Lodge No. 396, A. F. & A. M. ; Deposit Chapter, R. A. 
M., No. 187; of the Deposit Lodge No. 355, Knights of Pythias, and of the Fores- 
ters. He is a member of the Deposit board of trade and politically is a Republican. 



Swift, John H., who in November, 1899, was elected to the Assembly as the rep- 
resentative of the Second district of Broome county, has been a factor in Union his- 
tory since 1883, when he in company with Le Roy S. White and George D. Lincoln 
came from Southington, Conn., and founded a permanent manufacturing industry 
in Union village. The concern now bears the name of Union Forging Company, 
and its product ranks first in the markets of the country. Three practical, skilled 
mechanics — Le Roy S. White, George D. Lincoln and John H. Swift — were instru- 
mental in establishing this .splendid enterprise in Union, and it is only natural that 
one of their number should be chosen to represent the county in the State Legisla- 
ture. Mr. Swift was nominated without opposition in the Republican convention, 
and at the polls received a greater vote from his townsmen than ever was given any 
former candidate for public office. In Union village politics (and also in non-parti- 
san affairs) each of the persons above mentioned have been factors for good, as the 
civil history of Union will show. John H. Swift is a native of Ireland, born August 
29, 1840, the son of Peter and Katharine (Monahan) Swift, and the younger of their 
two children — Sarah Jane and John H. Swift. John came to the United States in 
1845, and was given a common school education; but he always has been a student 
and reader. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. A, 13th Conn. Vol. Inf., and served three years 
when he was discharged from service. He learned the trade of blacksmith and be- 
came a skilled mechanic in the employ of a large forging company of Southington, 
Conn., from which place he came to Union in 1883. On the 18th of May, 1868, Mr. 
Swift married Norah, daughter of John and Bridget Carroll, of Winsted, Conn. 




JOHN H. SWIFT. 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 1015 

They have four children, James C. Swift, a lawyer of Kansas City, Mo. ; Ellen A., 
Lillian C. and John P. Swift. 



Graves, E. T., p. o. Lestershire, was born in Owego, Tioga county. July 16, 1867. 
His father, Chester W. Graves, was a native of Little Meadows, Pa., and followed 
farming; he married Zilpha J. Talmadge, and their children are Gertrude Graves 
Cole of Greeley, Iowa, Chester W., and E. T. Graves, who was educated in Owego 
Free Academy and the Normal school at Cortland, from which he was graduated in 
January, 1891. Hecame to Lestershire in 1892, as principal of the Lestershire Union 
school, which at that time had about ninety pupils and to-day has 500. On June 24, 
1896, Mr. Graves made application and was admitted to the University of the State 
of New York. He has been very successful in his school work and the building has 
been more than doubled. Mr. Graves married Helen, daughter of Robert Double- 
day. He is one of Lestershire's representative men, of sterling integrity, and is 
identified with the best interests of his town. 



Fuller, Charles E., was born in the city of Binghamton, N. Y., March 10, 1847, 
and is a descendant of Puritan stock in the direct line of Dr. Samuel Fuller, who was 
surgeon on the Mayflower. Mr. Fuller has always occupied a prominent position in 
the affairs of the town of Conklin. He has been assessor of his town and has rep- 
resented his town on the board of supervisors for ten years, being chairman of the 
board in 1890. In 1880 he was appointed school commissioner for the First district, 
to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Arthur G. Wilson, and in the fall was 
elected for a term of three years. He was elected to the Assembly in 1897 and 1898. 
In 1897 he was active in passing the biannual townmeeting bill, and in 1898 the 
Fuller good road bill, which provides for State aid in the improvement of highways 
for towns that adopt the money system. He has been active in church work and one 
of its liberal supporters. 

On April 5, 1870, Mr. Fuller married Annie M., daughter of Jacob and Arminda 
Banta, of the town of Conklin; they have two children living: Grace M., wife of 
Rev. J. N. Meeker, and Alice Fennett Fuller; one son, Archie E., died in 1889, at 
the age of .seventeen years. 



Jeffords, Uriah A., p. o. Upper Lisle, was born in Triangle, April 17, 1841, a son 
of Allen C, and grandson of Amasa J., born in Pittsfield, Mass., and who came to 
New Berlin, Chenango county, about 1835. Allen C. Jeffords was born in Pittsfield, 
Mass., and came to the town of Triangle about 1836, settling on the farm Uriah now 
owns, and here died December 7, 1888; he married Eliza Robinson, by whom he had 
seven children, four now living. Uriah A. was educated in the common schools and 
taught school for a short time, his parents both being teachers. 

November 23, 1861, he enlisted in Co. F, 89th N. Y. Dickm.son Guards, and was 
wounded at Suffolk, May 3, 1863. The bullet struck him in the mouth, knocking out 
four teeth in the lower jaw and breaking two on the upper, and cutting off his tongue, 
striking the windpipe and lodging in his throat, whence it was afterwards cut out. 
He was one of his company who crossed the Rappahannock at Fredericksburg on 
December 11, 1862, in small boats, capturing sixty-five prisoners. He was ordered 



1016 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

by Lieutenant Wellington M. Lewis to select two good men and station themselves 
on Main street, and permit no one to go in or out. He is the man who halted the 
colonel of the 7th Michigan Regt. and compelled that regiment to stay outside the 
city that night. For all this service he gets ten dollars a month pension. He is bit. 
terly opposed to the present pension policy. He is a farmer and stock dealer, and is 
now a breeder of Holstein cattle and Jersey red swine. In politics he is a Republi- 
can and was deputy sheriff for some years. He is a member of Upper Lisle Lodge 
No. 383, F. & A. M., and also a member of the Red Men. 

In 1876 Mr. Jeffords married Helen Dillenbeck, and they have two children: Harry 
A. and Nellie E. Harry A. was graduated from Whitney's Point Academy and is 
now in partnership with his father. He is " in the south " in Upper Lisle Lodge No. 
388, F. & A. M., is a member of the Red Men, Sons of Veterans organizations, and 
also is an Odd Fellow. The family are Grangers, Nellie E. being the youngest sixth 
degree member of the Grange in the State of New York. 

Schulte, John, contractor and builder of Lestershire, was born in the city of Am- 
sterdam, Holland, March 31, 1846, and was the son of Hiram Schulte, a baker by 
trade. John Schulte learned the carpenter's trade in the old country, and when he 
arrived at the age of twenty one years he came to the United States and settled in 
New York city, where he lived and worked about four years. In 1872 he removed 
to Cohocton, Sullivan county, N. Y., where he was a contractor and builder, erecting 
many large buildings in various localities in that region. 

In 1890, soon after G. Harry Lester had begun operations in Lestershire, Mr. 
Schulte removed to the proposed village, and was the pioneer contractor and builder 
of the place. Being a man of capacity and energy, naturally many contracts were 
awarded to him, and from that time he was one of the most important factors in 
building up the village. Indeed, Mr. Schulte is recognized as one of the half-dozen 
men who have made Lestershire; and among them all, he alone is a Democrat in 
politics. But nothwithstanding his political affiliations and the fact that he is with 
the minority party in the county, Mr. Schulte has in some prominent manner, been 
identified with local government in Lestershire since the village was incorporated. 
He was one of the members of the first board of education, and has been a trustee 
since the organization of the village. He is largely interested in Lestershire real 
estate, is the founder of the paper-box factory, and is known as one of the public 
spirited men of that flourishing municipality. 

Mr. Schulte married Svvantye Johnson, by whom he has had six children: Johanna, 
wife of Frank S. Sanderson; Lena, wife of James Treat; Charles and John, carpen- 
ters of Lestershire: Harry and Frank Schulte, who live at home. 

Martin.— The Martin family in Deposit is represented by two wide-avi^ake broth- 
ers, Arthur B. and C. Eugene Martin. The former was born in Kattellville, Broome 
county, on the 13th of January, 1860, and the latter in the same place the 30th of 
April, 1865. Their father was Judson Martin and their mother Sarah Bowman Mar- 
tin On their father's side they are of the sturdy Connecticut Yankee stock, while 
the mother's ancestry is traceable to Holland. Both the brothers obtained their ed- 
ucation in those cradles of American liberty, the district school, and upon finishing 




JOHN SCHULTE. 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. lOlT 

their school life, commenced farming in their native town. The farm alone was 
conducted until 1892, in which year they opened a small grocery store, the building 
being but fourteen by twenty-eight feet, and a blacksmith shop, both of which were 
successfully managed besides the usual farm work. This business arrangement 
lasted for three years, when, in 1895, they closed up their business enterprises in 
Kattellville and moved to Deposit. Here they immediately arranged a mercantile 
venture, renting a store in the J. S. Minor building and starting a department store 
on a capital of but $1,100.00. Their business the first year was phenomenal consider- 
ing the small investment, the sales amounting to the sum of $33,000.00. It only took 
them nine months to outgrow their first store and more space was obtained by leas- 
ing the William L. Ford store, the largest one in Deposit. Both the brothers are 
aggressive, up to-date business men, and by close application to details they suc- 
ceeded in making their sales amount to $40,000.00 the second year, $47,000.00 the 
third year, and in 1899 they had climbed to $54,000.00. If the sales for 1900 continue 
during the balance of the year at the same rate as during the first three months, the 
grand total of §75.000.00 will be reached. In order to accommodate this large volume 
of trade, the store formerly occupied by William Jackson has been rented, where is 
situated the carriage, wagon and agricultural implement departments, and the har- 
ness manufactory. 

The combined sales of Martin Bros, various retail departments are greater than 
any store in Broome county outside of Binghamton, and in addition they do a job- 
bing business in sugar, flour and salt. The main store is one hundred by thirty feet, 
with a cellar equalh- large below and a storeroom above. Besides this space are 
three storehouses, one as large as the main store. 

It is claimed by those who ought to know that more farmers trade in Deposit than 
in anyplace in Broome county, not even excepting Binghamton, and Martm Bros, 
get what their eflfortsand skill at trading entitle them to. One very interesting event 
in their business career occurred April 15, 1898. On that day they delivered to cus- 
tomers 135 farming implements. The firm gave each customer a dinner and then 
organized a parade, headed by the Deposit brass band. 

Arthur B. Martin, the elder of the brothers, is secretar\- of the Deposit Canning 
Co., is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge and the Binghamton Encampment. He 
is an ardent and active Republican and during the Roosevelt campaign in 1888, Hon. 
George E. Green appointed him a special committee of one to represent the county 
committee in the eastern district of the county. He was married at Chenango Forks 
on the 18th of March, 1884, to Alice Wheeler of Lapeer, Cortland county. They 
have two children, Grace, fourteen years of age, and Arthur Ross, eleven j-ears old. 

C. Eugene Martin, the younger brother, is a Republican and is a member of the 
Masonic lodge. He was married February 13, 1896, to Minnie Pearsall, of Triangle. 
They have no children. 



Putnam, Charles M., Deposit, was born in North Harpersfield, N. Y., in 1827. His 
father was Jeremiah Putnam, a descendant from Israel Putnam, of Revolutionary 
fame. His education was obtained in the district schools — that American institu- 
tion which has helped to start so many self-made men — and upon leaving school be- 
gan to learn the tanning trade. Until 1863 he remained in this line of trade, being 



1018 FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

foreman of several different tanneries. From 1862 to 1885 he was engaged in the 
dry goods business in partnership with James S. Minor. In the latter year he formed 
a partnership with his son, Charles H., and that firm, C. M. Putnam & Son, con- 
tinued in the dry goods business to the present time. Charles M. Putnam is also in- 
terested in the coal business with his other son, Walter J., under the firm style of 
W. J. Putnam & Co. ; he was one of the organizers and has always been a director 
of the Deposit Water Co., Deposit Electric Co. and the Deposit Iron Co., and is a 
director and treasurer of the Deposit Manufacturing Co. Mr. Putnam has always 
taken a great interest in politics, he being a Republican, but has never held a public 
office. He is a highly respected and influential member of the Baptist church. Mr. 
Putnam married Harriet E. Burrows and to this union have been born three chil- 
dren, one daughter who lives at home and two sons. Charles H. and Walter J., men- 
tioned below. Mrs. Putnam died the early part of April, 1900. 

Charles H. Putnam, the elder son, was born in Deposit, December 28, 1860. His 
education was obtained at the public schools, South Jersey Institute (Bridgeton, N. 
J.), and Brown University. Besides the partnership with his father, referred to in 
the foregoing, he is a director and secretary of the Deposit Electric Co. and at one 
time was interested with C. N. Stow, editor of the Courier, in a land company called 
Sheldon Park Association. Mr. Putnam is also postmaster of his native town. For 
about ten years he has been a member of the Republican county committee, chair- 
man of the Republican town committee and a member of the Deposit board of edu- 
cation. He was the first Chancellor of the Deposit K. of P. Lodge, is at present 
Master of the Masonic Lodge and is an Odd Fellow in good standing. Charles H. 
was married in Deposit, fifteen years ago, to Miss Emma Demoney. They have 
three children, all boys. 

Walter J. Putnam, referred to as a partner of his father in the coal business, was 
born in Deposit, November 16, 1865. His education was obtained in his native town 
and upon embarking in business he chose the foundry line, the firm being Putnam & 
Snyder, and afterward Mr. Putnam conducted it in his own name until July 1, 1892, 
on which date he sold it to the Deposit Iron Co. Upon retiring from the iron business 
the partnership with his father was formed for the purpose of dealing in coal and 
lime. He is a strong Republican ; a member of the K. of P. Lodge, but has never 
sought or held political office or fraternal honors. On July 11, 1889, he was married 
to Jennie M. Butler, daughter of E. O. and Martha Butler. They have two children: 
Edward C. and Florence E. 



Jenison, Lewis, who died July 27, 1899, was the owner of much of the land on 
which the flourishing village of Lestershire now stands, and in the early history of 
that interesting municipality he was an important factor for good. Lewis Jenison 
was born in Stockbridge, Mass., June 29, 1824, and in 1837 came with his father's 
family to live in the town of Union, where, after obtaining his education in the 
Binghamton Academy, he became a farmer, owning and cultivating about 100 acres 
of good level land in the eastern part of the town, two and one-half miles from Bing- 
hamton. 

Mr. Jenison was a thrifty farmer and a successful business man. In the town, and 
also in the city, he was known as an upright, straightforward, honest man, hence 



c 

r. 



I 



^ 







LEWIS JENISON. 



FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. * 1019 

he enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. For many years he was a breeder of 
blooded Jersey cattle, his herd being one of the best in the county. His home was 
the seat of comfort and generous hospitality. 

In 1889, when G. Harry Lester determined to found a manufacturing village west 
of the city limits, he made an extensive purchase of land from Mr. Jenison, but the 
latter still retained a considerable farm tract. 

In the development and building up of the village Mr. Jenison took an active in- 
terest, and in recognition of his services, and also in appreciation of his high moral 
character, he was elected president of the village, being the second incumbent of 
that office, as the civil list shows. He was urged to accept the first presidency of the 
corporation, but declined, and an interesting fact in connection with his election 
when he did consent to run is that he had but one vote cast against him and that 
was cast by himself. 

Mr. Jenison's wife, to whom he was married August 5, 1847, and who survives 
him, was Hannah La Grange Allen, daughter of Lawrence Allen, the latter being 
remembered as one of Union's foremost men and pioneer residents. Mr. and Mrs. 
Jenison had no children of their own. Before their courtship, Mr, Jenison and the 
lady who afterward became his life companion, joined the First Presbyterian church 
on the same day, she being seventeen and he nineteen years of age. He remained 
a faithful member until his death and Mrs. Jenison continues to worship with the or- 
ganization she joined when blossoming into womanhood. A few years before his 
death Mr. Jenison built a large, elegant residence on Main street, in Lestershire, on 
the old farm tract where the family had dwelt so many years. 



Roberts, William Dolson, Lestershire, comes from the Badger State. He was 
born in Janesville, Wis., on the 2d day of January, 1846. His father was Chester 
Roberts, his mother Susan (Hale) Roberts, and his grandfather was William Henry 
Roberts, the latter being a direct descendant of hardy Scotch stock. When quite 
young, Mr. Roberts moved with his parents to Centre Village, where he obtained his 
education in one of those cradles of American liberty, the district school. When 
seventeen years old his father moved the family to Coventry, where Mr. Roberts 
continued his school work. At Port Crane, N. Y., he commenced farming on his 
own account and afterward took up contracting work. In 1889 Mr. Roberts moved 
to Lestershire, where he has since resided. In politics Mr. Roberts is a Republican 
and has always been actively interested. Five times he has been street commis- 
sioner of Lestershire, which is sufficient evidence of his faithfulness and ability. He 
is also popular in the Red Men's lodges, to one of which he belongs. At Port Crane 
Mr. Roberts was married to Melissa McDaniels of that place. They have four chil- 
dren: Emma, who married Willis Johnson and is now living in West Pullman, 111. : 
John Frank, who married Hattie Landon ; Sadie, married to" A. Parsons; Vernon' who 
still lives at home. 



Brigham, Elijah W., of the old and well known firm of Weljs & Brigham, has been 
an active factor in Binghamton and Union history for a period of half a century. 
He was born in Schoharie county, September 21, 1826, and is the son of Moses Brig- 
ham, who came to this county with his family soon after 1830, and settled on the 



1020 • FACTORS IN BROOME COUNTY HISTORY. 

south side of the Susquehanna river, on what for many years has been known as the 
Evans farm. In Moses Brigham's family were four children who grew to maturity. 
They were Elmer W., formerly a well known citizen of Binghamton, and best re- 
membered perhaps as the court crier for many years, although during his residence 
here he was in many ways identified with the growth and history of Binghamton ; 
Edward, who removed to Waverly many years ago, and who afterward lived and 
died in that locality; Fanny, who married S. W. Delamarter; and Elijah W. Brig- 
ham, now of Lestershire. 

Moses Brigham taught his sons to work, and Elijah, being the youngest child, 
was reared under his father's especial care. When old enough he struck out for 
himself and was frequently employed by Christopher Eldredge and also by Col. 
Hazard Lewis. Later on he began work at brickmaking for his brother Elmer, whose 
brickyard then covered a tract of land bounded by Vestal avenue, Mary street and 
Mitchell avenue, in the Fifth ward of the city. He remained in his brother's service 
as long as the brickyard was maintained in that locality, and then in 1856, in com- 
pany with John S. Wells (Col. J. Stuart Wells) he purchased a tract of land west of 
Binghamton, in the town of Union, and in part within the present boundaries of 
Lestershire. 

In the same year the partnership with Col. Wells was formed and brickmaking 
was begun on the tract; and from that to the present day the firm of Wells & Brig- 
ham has been in continuous existence, and unquestionably is the oldest firm now in 
Broome county. Col. Wells, although an active man in the firm, has been engaged 
in many business enterprises in the city, while Mr. Brigham has devoted himself 
almost entirely to the manufacture and sale of brick. He began his business career 
without help from others, and his starting capital consisted of the hard earnings of 
earlier years. He has been successful, has deserved all the success he has achieved, 
and now resides in one of the most elegant residences in Lestershire. 

Although a thorough Republican, Mr. Brigham does not take an active part in 
county politics ; and he was able to withstand the entreaties of friends that he be- 
come the first president of Lestershire village. Since he became of age, Mr. Brigham 
has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and for many years has been 
connected with the Centenary church of Binghamton. 

On March 14, 1850, Mr. Brigham married Rachel L. Lockwood, (daughter of John 
Lockwood, who came to Binghamton about 1840, and who was a well known figure 
in local history). The children of this marriage were Julia Frances, who died aged 
eight years; Frederick Stuart, John Lockwood and Harry Elijah Brigham. 



IN DEX. 



Abbey, Dorpheus, 448 
Abbott, Charles N., 89 

Joseph B.. 88 

WiUiam E., 89, 134 
Adams, J. M., 452 

Albany and Susquehanna railroad, 278 
Alden. Israel, 29 
Aldrich, Charles, 99, 113 

Lewis C, sketch of, 365 
Allen, John, 29 

Thomas, 102 
Anderson, John, 161, 168, 175 
Andrews, Alexander E., sketch of, 357 
. Andrus, Giles, 74 
7 John, 29 

Arms, Taylor L., sketch of, 330 
Armstrong, A. D., Mrs., 162, 164 

wSolomon, 29 
Ashley, Moses, 26 
Associate judge of the Court of Appeals, 

59 
Attorney-general, 58 
At well. Paul, 28 
Austin, Virena M., 223 

Babcock, Augustus, sketch of, 368 

Badger, Samuel, 29 

Baird, Sarah, 223 

Bakeman, Henry, 113 

Baker, Joshua, 28 

Balcom, Ransom, sketch of, 322 

Bank, Binghamton, the, 302 

Binghamton Savings, the, 312-314 

of Binghamton, the, 303 

Broome County, the, 300, 301 

Chenango Valley, the, 310 

City National, of Bmghamton, the, 

303, 304 

First National, of Binghamton, the, 

304, 305 

Merchants National, the, 307 
People's, the, 309 
Strong State, the, 308, 309 
Susquehanna Valley, the, 305-307 
Bar, roster of the, 351-355 



Barker, town of, 768-777 

Barkman, Menzo, Dr., sketch of, 431 

Barlow, Allen, 260. 261 

Moses, 25 
Barnes, Albert S., sketch of, 380 

Ambrose, 28 

James H., 57 

M. L. Mrs., 162, 164 
Bartholomew, Phineas, Dr., 78, 404 
Bartis, John, 29 
Bartlett, George, sketch of, 340, 341 

Isaac, Capt., 104, 105 

Isaac L., 106 

Joseph, 135 

Joseph J., Maj-Gen., 597 

Loring, Col., 104 

Robert S., 106 
Barton, Ephraim A., 108 
Bassett, William, Dr., 414 
Bates, Robert J., 162, 163 
Bayless, Elias, 29 
Beach, Charles A., 175 

Henry L. , sketch of, 371 
Beardsley. G. W., 456 
Beecher, Amos, 26 
Belden, Laurel O., 108 

Rufus, Dr., 409 
Benedict, Aaron, 29 
Bennett, Abel, 168 

Levi, 66 

Ralph E..456 
Bentley, Azel, 29 
Bevier, Elias, 28 

Samuel, 66 
Bingham, William, 36-38, 56, 64, 70, 71 
Bingham's Patent, 36-38 

physical changes on, from time 
of settlement, 68, 69 
Bigler, Philip, 96 
Binghamton Academy, 227-230 

Academy of Medicine, 390-392 

act of incorporation of, in 1834, 132 

Adventist church in, 551 

aldermen of, 147-150 

Awning and Tent Co., 482 



1022 



INDEX. 



Binghamton, baking interests in, 474 

banking institutions of, 300-314 

Baptist churches in, 539-543 

Barlow School of Industrial Arts in, 
260-263 

board of education, proceedings of, 
237-239 

board of health and its officers, 171- 
173 

board of park commissioners and its 
officers, 175-177 

board of water commissioners and its 
officers, 169 

brewing interests of, 476, 477 

bridges in, 286-291 

carriage hardware works in, 469 

censuses of, from 1867, 125 

Central High school, 250-253 

chair works in, 472, 473 

chemical works in, 474 

Cheroot Co., 482 

Christian church in, 552 

cigar manufacturing in, 478-481 

city assesors of, 151, 152 

city attorneys of, 144 

city buildings of, 155-164 

city clerks of, 143 

city engineers of, 144 

City Hospital, 160-164 

city incorporation of, with amenda- 
tory acts, 136-141 

city supervisors of, 152-154 

city treasurers of, 144 

city water works, 164-170 

civil list, 142-154 

civil service commission, 177, 178 

clubs of, 515, 516 

colored churches in, 548-550 

Columbian Manufacturing Co. of, 
482 

comb making in, 473 

Congregational churches in, 543-545 

departments of municipal govern- 
ment, 164-178 

early manufactures of, 458-462 

early names of, 127 

early public wells in, 164, 165 

Elk Drug Co. of, 483 

Empire Grain Elevator Co. of, 482 

Ensign Lumber Co, of, 482 

erection of the first Court house at, 
74, 75 

evolution of the school system of, 
218-223 

examining and supervising board of 
plumbers and plumbing and its 
officers, 177 

Female seminary, 224 



Binghamton fire department, 178-213 
Alert Hose company, 195 
American Engine company, 197 
at the present time, 205 
Cataract Fire company, 187-189 
character of the men composing 

the, 206 
civil list of the, 209-221 
Crystal Hose company, 199, 200 
Excelsior Hook and Ladder com- 
pany, 197, 198 
Exempt Firemen's Association, 

211-213 
first engine house of, 182 
first fire ordinances of. 179 
first fire wardens of, 181 
first hook and ladder company of, 

179 
Fountain Fire company, 189-193 
government of the, 207, 208 
Independent Engine company, 

195-197 
Independent Hose company, 205 
Lawyer Hose company, 198, 199 
maintenance of, 203 
Mechanic's Engine company, 204 
Otseningo Hose company, 200 
petitions for improvement in fire 

apparatus, 184-187 
Phoenix Fire company, 183, 184 
Protection Hook and Ladder 

company, 193 
Protection Hose company, 204 
reorganization of, in 1867, 202 
report of chief engineer in 1862, 

200-202 
Rescue Enginecompauy, 193-195 
Rockbottom Hose company, 205 
Simpson medal, the, 211 
Water Witch Fire company, 181 
Fireman's Hall, 155-158 
first act of incorporation of, in 1813, 

130 
first church organizations in, 518, 519 
first corps of union school teachers in, 

238 
first settlers in the vicinity of, 

39 et seq. 
first survey of the village of, 126 
first thirty-five years of, 64-111 
first village directory of, 119-124 
first village election of, 133 
first village officers of, 133, 134 
Floral Park Cemetery association of, 

555 
Free Methodist churches in, 550 
Gaslight Co., 484-486 
General Electric Co., 482 



INDEX. 



1023 



Binghamton, German churches in, 550, 
551 
glass making in, 475 
Glenwood "^^metery association of, 

G. A. R. posts iti, 513, 514 

hotels of, 491-497 

Improved Order of Red Men m, 

511. 512 
in 1812, 129 
in 1840. 117 
in 1850, 118 
in 1858, 118 

Industrial exposition, 481 
industries on west side of the Che- 
nango, 464 
Ingalls Stone Co. of, 483 
iron manufacturing in, 465-468 
Jewish church in, 552 
Jones Scale Works in, 468 
justices of the peace of, 144 
Keyes-Baker Cigar Rolling Machine 

Co. of, 483 
Lady Jane Grey school in, 259 
legislation relating to, from 1837 to 

1859, 135 
Library, 263 

Library Association, 264, 265 
Library Society, 263 
Masonry in, 497-505 
mayors of, 142 

mercantile interests of, 487-489 
Methodist Episcopal churches in, 

533-539 
military organizations in, 512, 513 
milling interests in, 464, 465 
miscellaneous manufacturers of, 484 
Municipal Building and Fire Station, 

158-160 
newspapers of: 

Broome County Courier, the, 451 
Broome County Patriot, the, 447 
Broome County Republican, the, 

448 
Call, the, 455 
Chronicle, the, 455 
Democrat, the, 451 
Democratic Leader, the, 453 
Evening Herald, the, 455 
Independent, the, 457 
Iris, the, 4.50 

Latest Morning News, the, 455 
Record, the, 457 
Republican Herald, the, 448 
Standard, the, 450 
Sunday Dispatch, the, 455 
Sunday Message, the, 455 
Sunday Tribune, the, 454 



Binghamton, newspapers of: 

Susquehanna Journal, the, 450 
Times, the (daily, 1863) 453 
Times, the (weekly), 450 
Times, the (weekly, 1871), 454 
Times, the (1899). 458 
Times, the (E. M. Fitzgerald), 
454 
Nineteen Hundred Washer Co. of, 

483 
Odd Fellowship in, .505-511 
Ogden Brick Co. of, 483 
oil refining in, 474 
opera houses of, 489-491 
orthography of the name of, 132 
overall manufacturing in, 475, 476 
overseers of the poor of, 144 
Park Blanket mills of, 483 
police board and its officers, 170, 171 
post-office and postmasters, 154, 155 
Presbyterian churches in, 523-533 
presidents of common council of, 145 
private schools in, 223-226 
Protestant Episcopal churches in, 

519-523 
public institutions in, 291-300 
pulp and paper works in, 473 
recorders of, 144 
reminiscences of early life in, 64 et 

seq. 
Roman Catholic churches in, 545- 

547 
Roman Catholic schools of, 258, 259 
Ross Park in, 174, 175 
roster of the bar of, 351-355 
scale manufacturing in, 468 
school commissioners of, list of, 254- 

258 
school expenses of, 253, 254 
Schools, Union: 

School No. 1, 2S4 
School Nos. 2 and 3, 234 
School No. 4, 234 
School No. 5, 235 
School No. 6, 236 
School No. 7, 236 
School No. 8, 239 
School No. 8, 245 
School No. 9, 242 
School No. 10, 242 
School No. 11, 244 
School No. 12, 245 
Scnool No. 13, 246 
School No. 14, 249 
School No. 15, 250 
Security Mutual Life Insurance Co. 

of, 486, 487 
seed business in, 474 



1024 



INDEX. 



Binghamton, shoe manufacturing in, 477, 
478 

societies and unions, various, in, 516, 

517 
Spring Forest Cemetery Association 

of, 554 
Standard Pharmacal Co.'of, 484 
Star Electric Co. of, 484 
State Hospital, 298-300 
street commission and its officers, 

173 
street railroad, history of, 280-286 
superintendents of schools, 239-241 
superintendents of streets of, 145 
supervisors of, 152 
survey of plot of. in 1808, 128 
tanning interests of, 462-464 
tool manufacturing in, 469, 470 
Trust Company, the, 307, 308 
union free school system, 231-254 
Universalist churches in, 547, 548 
value of school property in, 242 
village assessors of, 150, 151 
attorneys of, 144 
clerks of, 143 
organization of, 126-136 
presidents of, 142 
treasurers of, 143 
trustees of, 145-147 
cemetery in, 553 
wagon manufacturing in, 472 
wood working establishments in, 

470-472 
Woolen Company, 481 
Young Men's Association, 264, 514, 
515' 
Binghamton, town of, 690-693 
Birdsall, Ausburn, 107, sketch of, 350 

Hiram, 108 
Bissel, Guido, 74 
Blackman, Josiah, Dr., 409 
Blanchard, Jedediah, 28 
Bogart, Ed. H., 455 
Boston Purchase, the, 35 
Bosworth, Joseph S., 135 
Bouck, Gabriel, 350 
Boughton, Jo.seph, 108 
Bowers, Nancy, 223 
Bowker, Elizabeth L. W., 57 
Bradford, Oliver, 102 
Brewster, Henry, 26 
Briggs, J. B., 455 
Brigham, Eunice, 223 
Brink, William, 66 
Brmtnall, P. L., Mrs., 164 
Britton, James, 26 

Brooks, Pelatiah, Dr., 108, sketch of, 413 
Broome county civil list, 67-63 



Broome county, evolution and organiza- 
tion of, 45 

Homoeopathic MedicalSociety, 393, 
394 

Medical Society. 387-390 
Brown, Ebenezer, Capt., 113 

Hezekiah P., 57 

James, jr., 27 

John, 56 

Samuel, 35, 108 

Titus L., Dr., sketch of, 416 

William M., 113 
Brownson, David, 77, 81 
Buel, Grover, 49 
Bump, N. H , Mrs., 164 
Burlingame, Nathaniel, 29 
Burr, Daniel S., Dr., sketch of, 427 

George, Dr.. sketch of, 410-412 
Burrell, Aaron, 82 
Butler, John. 97 
Butterfield, Alfred J., Dr., sketch of, 429 

Camp, Anson, 29 

John, Rev., 79 
Campbell. Jeremiah, 98 
Cannon, William H., 163 
Canoll, Abial C, 448 
Carl. Abram W., 449, 453 

James F,, 449 
Carman, Alexander B., 51 
Carr, John, 66 
Carson, Abraham. 66 
Carver, David H., sketch of, 365 

Eldon R., sketch of, 376 
Cary, James S., 449 

Solomon P.. 114, 115, 158 

Sturges, 114, 115 
Chamberlain, David, 29 

William, 66, 117 
Champlain, Samuel de, 2 
Chapel and House of the Good Shepherd, 

296 297 
Chapman, Orlow W.n sketch of, 346-348 
Chenango canal, the, 271-276 

Point, the beginning of the settle- 
ment of, 69 

town of, 668-676 

Turnpike company, 268 

village, .settlement and settlers of, 
43 et seq. 
Chittenden, Joseph, Dr , sketch of, 423 
Christopher, John G., 70, 112 
Chubbuck, H. W., Mrs.. 162 

John, Dr., sketch of, 410 
Churches, data concerning, 816-819 
Civil war, Binghamton in the, 556 et seq. 
Claims, conflicting, of European nations 
to American territory, 3 



INDEX. 



103") 



Minor, Albert P., 962 " 
Mosher, Edwin, 957 

North, W. T., 990 
Northrup. J. P., 1001 

Ogden, Charles, 982 
Olmsted, William, jr., 991 

Page, Enos M.. 999 
Page, Frank H., 987 
Page, Richard. 990 
Paige, Eugene E., 994 
Park, Edward Y., 969 
Pease, Clarence, 964 
Pease, D. E., 959 
Pease, Fred, 965 
Peck, H. C, Dr., 946 
Peck, Theodore C, 969 
Peckham, John B., 1007 
Pixley, James, B., 994 
Place, Andrew Hart, 967 
Poole, J. S., 1007 
Post, Stephen, sr.. 962 
Price, James, 1006 
Putnam, Charles M., 1017 

Quick, Simon P., 985 

Randall. Richard N., 984 
Reilly, J. R , 1000 
Reynolds, Cornelius O., 975 
Robbins. Frank. 980 
Roberts. Charles P., Dr., 998 
Roberts, William Dolson, 1019 
Rogers, H. M., 970 
Rogers, W. H., 1012 

Schulte, John, 1016 

Shanley Bros. (M. and William), 1011 

Slack, W. H., 964 

Smethurst, Joseph, 959 

Smith, Charles H., 949 



Smith, David, 1005 
Smith, Jasper, 950 
Smith, John, 966 
Smith, M. M., Dr., 950 
Snell, John. 982 
Spies, Max, 998 
Squires. M. S.. 1012 
Stalker. John. 1000 
Stalker. W. M., 998 
Swift, John H., 1014 

Taft. Charles G., 960 
Tamkins, Edward C, 957 
Theleman, Chauncey W.. 991 
Todd, Hiram, 960 

Van Slyke, Elmer W.. 951 
Van Wormer. Aaron. 976 

Waite. Luther I , 1001 
Walters, Herman D., 947 
Warner, Job M., 981 
Watrous, John A., 967 ' 
Watrous, Samuel B., 961 
Watrous, William Wallace, 979 
Weaver, Fred L., 962 
Weeks, John W. , 1007 
Whitaker, Sylvester S., 953 
White, Le Roy S , 960 
Whitney, A. R , 989 
Whitney, J. B.. 964 
Wilcox, FredD , 1010 
Wilcox, F. T., 961 
Wilcox, S. S., 1008 
Williams, Guy W.. 972 
Wilson. W. H.. Dr.. 970 
Witherill, L. D.. Dr.. 1012 
Wright. George H.. 986 

Youmans. A. H.. 988 

Zimmer. Delmer S., 955 



1U-IV^3S 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




014 222 143 3 




